Racing week ahead: St Leger and Irish Champions Weekend

By RB Editor · Updated: September 13, 2026

Doncaster’s 250th Classic collides with Ireland’s biggest weekend, and the St Leger market just got blown wide open.

A crowded racecourse grandstand decorated with banners marking 250 years, with banner text "RacingBetter Week-Ahead — 250 Years of the St Leger"

Two of the biggest fixtures of the autumn share the same weekend. The Betfred St Leger Festival runs at Doncaster from Thursday to Sunday, marking the 250th running of the world’s oldest Classic. Irish Champions Weekend, meanwhile, brings six Group 1s to Leopardstown and the Curragh.

The St Leger Festival schedule

Doncaster’s four days break down clearly. Friday is Betfred Gents Day, featuring the Doncaster Cup. Saturday is the big one, Betfred St Leger Day, with the 250th St Leger itself going off at 15:40. Sunday closes the meeting with Betfred Sunday Funday.

The twist nobody saw coming

William Haggas has pulled Maltese Cross out of the St Leger entirely. Instead, he is sending the Great Voltigeur winner to the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe on 4 October.

Haggas said connections were conscious of the anniversary and the horse’s history in the race, but felt the extra time would benefit him. Stablemate Infraad has also been withdrawn, heading to the Noel Murless Stakes at Ascot on 2 October instead.

Irish Champions Weekend

Leopardstown and the Curragh host the 13th running of Irish Champions Weekend, with more than €5 million in prize money across six Group 1 races. The Irish Champion Stakes headlines Saturday, and the Irish St Leger closes out the Irish Classic season on Sunday.

One absence at Doncaster

Frankie Dettori will not take part in Friday’s charity Betfred Leger Legends race. He has not recovered in time from injuries sustained in a car accident in early July. The crash left him with fractured ribs and a broken thumb. Dettori, a six-time St Leger winner himself, said he will still be at Doncaster on Saturday to support the race.

What’s coming this week

RacingBetter’s coverage runs through the festival: