Talk about a baptism of fire. When Rachel Harwood took over as executive director at Doncaster Racecourse in 2020, she did so in the middle of a pandemic. As the nation was gripped by a wave of uncertainty, she set out to plan the course’s showpiece, the St Leger Festival, unsure whether it would go ahead or not. Restrictions did finally ease that summer and the Leger did take place, albeit behind closed doors – no spectators were allowed into the racecourse. 

Thankfully things did improve the following year – but only just. After a series of trial events, the St Leger Festival was one of the first events to have a full gate.

“Just hearing that roar of the crowd was a really different kind of celebration,” recalls Rachel, who has previously worked in both the football and cricket arenas.

As normality returned, events took a turn in 2022 after Queen Elizabeth II’s passing on 8 September, right at the start of the festival. The British Horseracing Authority immediately paused all racing, resulting in the cancellation of the Friday and Saturday events at the St Leger Festival at Doncaster Racecourse. The St Leger was subsequently rescheduled to Sunday, where a packed nine-race card was held to pay tribute to the Queen, featuring a two-minute silence and a rendition of the national anthem. 

“It was the right thing to do,” says Rachel. “Her Majesty was a huge racing fan and a lot of people on the course, in terms of jockeys and trainers, worked for her. There was a lot of upset people here.”

In 2023, King Charles and Queen Camilla both visited, adding extra prestige to the already hugely-popular festival. 

This 250th anniversary year will be Rachel’s seventh St Leger and there have been a number of changes to the racecourse to make the experience for visitors even better. 

“We take a lot of feedback every year and find out what went well and what was challenging, then we see what we can fix,” explains Rachel. “We look at what other sports are doing, what the high street is doing… We’re also remodelling the parade ring and work is going on in the clocktower, which is a listed building. We’re working with the conservation team at Doncaster Council as well as Historic England.”

The more noticeable changes will be in the enclosures and hospitality areas, which have had a revamp for 2026. 

The first of these is in the family enclosure with parents being allowed to bring in a picnic as well as up to four cans of drink (alcoholic or non-alcohlic).

“Children under 17 go free but we’re in a cost of living crisis, every pound goes a little less further than it did,” says Rachel. “With tickets starting from £12.50, mum and dad can bring the kids, food and drink, all for £25. We felt that allowed more people to be able to come and join us.”

One of the most popular enclosures during festival week is the County Enclosure and that will be picking up where it left off last year with container bars, street food, selfie areas and DJs after racing. On Ladies Day (Thursday 10 September) there will also be a beauty bar for any last-minute finishing touches. 

Another change for this year is the opening of centre course to the general public.

“This is about trying to get as many people we can on both sides of the running rail,” adds Rachel. “We can’t put 100,000 on Town Moor any more but will do our best to try and recreate that kind of atmosphere.”

The Style Awards on Ladies Day will once again be sponsored by Meadowhall, who also sponsor the racecourse’s Summer Saturday Series. Those wishing to enter can visit one of the two photobooths on site – one in the Grandstand, one in the County Enclosure – and have their picture taken. The Doncaster Racecourse team will then pick a number of finalists before Mark Wright, of The Only Way is Essex fame, will choose the ultimate winner. 

Rachel and her team have also overseen a number of improvements to the hospitality areas. Visitors can choose from a range of inclusive food and drink options, with prices starting from £185pp.

“We’ve tried to touch every price point,” explains Rachel. “Hopefully something for everybody to come and celebrate this momentous occasion.”

The very premium Sky Garden offers a seven-course tasting menu with a flight of wine. It’s in a newly-refurbished suite which sits at the top of the stand so you get amazing views across the racecourse, particularly the final furlongs of the race.

At the time of speaking to Rachel, both Doncaster and Newmarket racecourses had held trial events for the Leger but the Voltigeur Stakes at York in August is often the true test. Will the 250th anniversary bring extra prestige to the event? Rachel is very positive: “At the end of the day it’s a 1 mile 6f race, it’s about stamina and there are limited horses who have that ability. The winner of our trial meeting gets automatically entered into the Leger. Newmarket’s was won by Spirit of Law, which is the King’s horse and trained by John Gosden.

“We’ve actively working both across the UK, Ireland, France and Japan to talk about the 250th anniversary to try and attract some entries from further afield.”

Come 10 September and the beginning of the festival, Rachel’s day-to-day becomes really stretched but is something she relishes. 

“I’ll be in at 5.45 every morning to walk the track with the Clerk of the Course,” she says. “Then it’s up to the management briefing just before 8 o’clock and the site walk, getting changed and then getting the gates open. It feels like it’s a blur. 

“About 4 o’clock we look at all the data and the numbers and look at the next day. After racing I do a debrief with the clerk, then the entertainment starts before we reset the site. Normally there’s a dinner to go to as well so I finish about midnight and then get up and do it all again!”

Asked what makes Doncaster and the St Leger so special, Rachel concludes: “One thing about Doncaster Racecourse, it definitely has a personality and that’s born out of the team of work here and their passion. A lot of [our team] have grown up in Doncaster and that shines through. We’re very proud to be Doncaster and very good at what we do. It’s its own sense of place. 

“Every racecourse has its own uniqueness and different strengths but the thing about Donny is it’s a happy place.”