The Betfred St Leger Festival is one of the largest events in the horse racing calendar and  2026 marks the 250th anniversary of the first running of the St Leger Stakes! This year the dates for Betfred St Leger is from Thursday 10th to Sunday 13th September 2026. The Betford St Leger Stakes is held on Saturday 12th September. 

Doncaster Racecourse says: “Betfred St Leger Day 2026 is more than just the flagship day of the Betfred St Leger Festival; it’s a once-in-a-generation celebration of the world’s oldest Classic and one of the crown jewels of the flat racing season. Get ready for a thrilling day of top-class turf racing, amazing entertainment, and a buzzing atmosphere!“ 

Gentlemen, We Say…You may be tempted to don your tweed jacket, but the ladies are not ready to swap their summer clothing for autumn wear and the men shouldn’t be either.

Official Dress Code

In general the racecourse recommends something smart-casual, and discourage racegoers from wearing any sportswear or ripped jeans.

Premier Enclosure and the ‘Posh’ Hospitality area at the Home Straight Restaurant – A jacket for gentlemen is required with tie optional. Jeans and sportswear are not permitted in these areas. The dress code also applies to children.

County Enclosure, Conduit Restaurant, boxes, press and the Owners & Trainers areas- The only stipulation is that sportswear and offensive fancy dress are not permitted. However racegoers often choose to adopt a smarter style. The racecourse recommends, for example, smart jeans or tailored shorts and a collared shirt for gentlemen. Many racegoers opt to dress for the occasion on feature race days such as the St Leger Festival. For the County Enclosure – you need to call and check with Doncaster Racecourse first if you wish to come in fancy dress.

The ‘Punter’ Grandstand Enclosure for the race day regulars and the Picnic Family Enclosure– Here the dress code is relaxed,the only stipulation is sporting team shirts and offensive fancy dress are not permitted.

All prices are correct at time of publishing

The Style Award on Ladies Day 

The Style Award for the Best Dressed is held on Ladies Day, Thursday 10th September and is open for both men and women. To take part, racegoers have to have their photo taken at the Style Awards backdrop on the day. The judges will select five finalists and choose a winner to be crowned the 2026 Style Awards Winner. Most gentlemen opt for the sartorial suit.

Go for a light coloured suit as the weather has been so hot and September is not far away. Plus it cannot be mistaken for a work suit. With stores nationwide, Brook Taverner’s roots are with Yorkshire. They offer a range of suits perfect for a day at the races such as their  McKellen Natural Wool Linen Blend Suit £199.00. For that extra sartorial look, wear the suit with a waistcoat plus it gives an extra layer if the weather does turn cooler. Go matching with McKellen Natural Wool Linen Blend Suit Waistcoat or go for a contrast colour Oliver Rust Melange Wool Blend Suit Waistcoat, Both £50.00. Don’t forget a belt, choose their  Tan Suede Belt £29.95. Add a pop of colour with their Formal Shirt in Pink Butchers Stripe Cotton. Was £54.95 now £24.95 and Pink Semi Plain Textured Pure Silk Tie was £24.95 now £14.95 Be the golden boy with Tateossian’s Fern Lapel Pin In Rose Gold Plated £130.00 and Geoff Stocker’s 100& silk THE RIDDLE pocket square £45.00. A suede loafer such as  Loake Jefferson Flint Suede Loafers sets off a light suit, £169.00. If the sun shines, complete the look with a Summer Fedora Hat with Light Brown Band from Cotswold Country Hats £29.95 and of course a pair of sunglasses. Menton by Silhouette® with brown frame and red/brown gradient lens. £306.00 Silhouette introduces the first eyewear collection made with a revolutionary bio-circular material from mixed organic waste. 

The Party Enclosure

The County Enclosure is the Party Zone for the whole duration of St Leger Festival with post race celebrations, music and non-stop entertainment. Again most gents opt to wear a suit.

Ben Sherman’s Textured Linen Blend Jacket £219.00 and matching Textured Linen Blend Trousers £110.00 make an ideal suit for the party enclosure with its mid blue shade. Pair with their Ditsy Floral Shirt with blue, pink & lilac flowers on a white background.100% cotton, £76.00 Now you have the basics, zhuzh up the look for the party with Cotswold Country Hats’ Straw Diamond Crown Pork Pie Hat with Removable Feather £25.95 and Silhouette’s Antibes sunglasses with cool blue frames and blue mirror gradient lens, £306.00. Add bling with Tateossian’s Nodo Beaded Necklace £325.00; Classic Discs Beaded Bracelet £325.00 and a touch of sparkle with their Quadro Tennis Semi-Precious Bracelet £395.00. Get ready to cheer for your winning horse and to dance the night away in Puma’s Suede Charles F. Stead VI Sneakers £100.00

Sunday Funday

The final day of the festival, the Betfred Sunday Funday, is a day of fun with a whole host of FREE family-friendly entertainment shows across the course. So dress more casual, however for the Premier enclosure the dress code still applies i.e. you need to wear a jacket. Not permitted are jeans and sportswear.

Seasalt Cornwall’s Man’s Cotton-Linen Jacket is a relaxed fit with patch pockets. Fabric is 62% organic Cotton and 38% Linen, £130.00. Wear with their matching Undyed Cotton-Linen Trousers £89.95 and Barneys Originals’ Leather Brown/Black Reversible Belt was £49.99 now £19.99. Add Sunday holiday vibe to your outfit with Seasalt’s  Men’s Blue Heron Short Sleeve Shirt in 100% linen. Was £69.95 now on sale for £37.95. Just in case the weather turns cooler take their Moorstone Knitted Organic Cotton Jumper in blue slate £55.00. Top it with their Taran Woven Paper Hat was £32.95 now in the sale for £14.00 and their treetop green  Growan Sunglasses were £35.95 now on sale for £15.00. Also available in dusk blue and light tortoise. Step out in Puma’s Suede Classic Sneakers in dark myrtle green, £75.00. Accessorise with Thomas Sabo’s Talisman necklace with tiger eye beads made of red, brown and gold-blue tiger eye beads £160.00 and Bracelet with earth and green beads   £85.00

Brook Taverner images courtesy of Brook Taverner

Ben Sherman and Puma images courtesy of pr agency We Are Village PR

Cotswold Country Hats image courtesy of Cotswold Country Hats

Thomas Sabo, Seasalt Cornwall, Tateossian, Silhouette and Barneys Originals images courtesy of pr agency Task PR

Geoff Stocker images courtesy of Geoff Stocker