Held this year from Thursday 10th to Sunday 13th September 2025, Doncaster’s St Leger Festival is still considered part of the summer racing season so no matter what the weather, most ladies are not ready to hang up their summer outfits for warmer autumnal clothing. This year will celebrate St Leger’s 250th anniversary of the first running of the St Leger’s stakes

For the Ladies, We Say…Going back as far as 1776, Doncaster’s St Leger is the oldest Classic in the world. It may be a Classic race, but the racegoers’ fashion style is bang up to date, so when considering what to wear to Doncaster, bear in mind those hardy northern ladies are still betting on summer outfits as favourite. This may be their last chance of the year to strike a pose in that summer dress.

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 – smart attire for ladies. 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 smart style with many opting to dress for the occasion on feature race days such as the St Leger Festival. 

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. 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. 

Stay cool but look red hot in 8th Sign’s ELENI DRAPE MIDI DRESS No crease / no cling fabric: a little stretch and fully lined,  Crystal embellishment on the shoulder  £130.00 Pair with Thomas Sabo’s 18k Gold Plated Elyndra Earrings  Garnet-red zirconia & teardrop red agate which is a symbol of strength and vital radiance. £315.00 Add arm candy in the form of their 18k Gold Plated Red Bead Bracelet Eye with round red-agate beads and a gold-plated eye bead with garnet zirconia £140.00 Cool the temperature down with Tusting’s Mini Holly Top Handle Leather Handbag in blossom pink. A petite and curvaceous 1950’s inspired leather top handle style with a turn-lock closure, £415.00. It’s time to raise the heat again and take a sizzling step forward in Loeffler Randal’s Mareka Red Leather Heeled Sandal  a strappy heeled sandal in red nappa leather with statement metallic ring hardware. Plus a padded footbed for comfort. Were £294.00 now £177.00. Don’t forget your rose coloured sunglasses to keep an optimistic view when placing a bet. Silhouette’s Dora Two  with cream blush frame and red brown gradient lens, £316.00. Heads Up – Increase your chances of winning the Best Dressed and wear a hat.  Carmen Hire – Jess Collett Milliner This wicker finish straw boater with pinopok swirl and red silk flowers will be perfect for the red dress. This boater can be hired for 3 days at a price of £300.00 plus postal charges and a refundable £150.00 security bond.

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. This is the place to wear an outfit that can transition from day to evening.

Sandro’s Trimmed linen maxi dress is perfect for transitioning from a day at the races to their party evenings. This creamy vanilla maxi dress is trimmed with white lace, has a front button fastening, side pockets and integrated shorts under the skirt making it easy to dance the night away. Was £439.00 now in the sale for £263.40 Team with Jess Collett’s Santa Cruz Chemise  A handwoven palm straw Spanish-style riding hat (chemise), crafted by Guatemalan artisans and finished with lime Pendeza beaded band. £495.00 Trip the light fantastic in Sandro’s Smooth leather heeled mules in white, £219.00. Bring out the animal in you with Loeffler Randal’s Serena Snake Leather Gathered Clutch £242.00. Always a sunny optimist, the northern lady expects the sun to shine so sunglasses are essential. Sandro’s Thin-armed sunglasses come in caramel acetate frame and smoky lenses, £219.00. Add a touch of zest with Tilly Sveaas  Giant Gold T-Bar on Orange Leather Necklace £170.00 and their Orange Enamel Gold T-Bar Earrings £160.00. Both are 18kt gold plated. Bring out the champagne with their Friendship Bracelet in a champagne silk cord and 18kt gold plated brass clasp, £80.00

Sunday Funday

The final day of the festival is called the Betfred Sunday Funday. A day of fun with a whole host of FREE family-friendly entertainment shows across the course. It is a more casual day but do remember the enclosure dress codes still apply.

Keep hold of the last days of summer in Olana’s  Clémence Fleur Midi Dress Cut from their exclusive house floral print, with a bold square neckline, long puff sleeves and side slit  pockets. In 100% organic cotton and due to the natural dying process of our fabric, there may be differences in colours and tones between fabric batches. £250.00  Olana also creates dresses for the little lady, their  Elodie Fleur Girls Dress is made from the same floral print and has sizes to fit from 3months to 10 years. The dress comes just above the knee with a wide turnback hem, allowing you to adjust the length of the skirt as your little one grows. £85.00. Based in Yorkshire, but influenced by the romanticism of the French countryside. Bring out the blue in the dress with Fairfax & Favor’s Monaco – Women’s Wedge – Sky Blue Suede | Fairfax & Favor Were £165.00, now £132.00. Carry a medium or large handbag for all your family funday essentials such as their Windsor- Women’s Basket Bag – Stone Leather | Fairfax & Favor £295.00. Go for a more casual style hat such as Cotswold Country Hats Straw Fedora Summer Packable Hat – Pink in blush pastel baby pink with peach undertones, £29.95 Accessories with Silhouette’s Aventura 3193 | Silhouette® Shop [GB] with warm caramel frames and glossy caramel lens. £281.00. Again bring out the blue in the dress with Dower & Hall’s Octagon Blue Topaz Tutti Frutti Necklace in Sterling Silver £185.00 and their Octagon Blue Topaz Earrings in Sterling Silver or Gold Vermeil £125.00. Both in gold vermeil with octagon-cut blue topaz gemstones.  

8th Sign images courtesy of 8th Sign

Thomas Sabo and Silhouette Eyewear images courtesy of pr agency Task PR

Jess Collett images courtesy of Jess Collett

Loeffler Randal and Tilly Sveaas images provided by pr agency Fincham Communications

Tusting images courtesy of Tusting

Sandro images provided by pr agency Lede Company

Dower and Hall images courtesy of pr agency We Are UK PR

Olana Clothing provided by Olana

Fairfax & Favor images courtesy of pr agency Bloxham PR

Cotswold Country Hats images courtesy of Cotswold Country Hats