Doncaster Cup

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The Doncaster Cup is a Group 2 race over two and a quarter miles during the St Leger Festival in September at Doncaster Racecourse.

The Doncaster Cup takes place on Friday 15th September 2023.

This race takes place on Day 3 of the St Leger Festival along with other races such as The Flying Childers Stakes and Flying Scotsman Stakes.

The Cup is one of the most prestigious staying races of the season and is Doncaster’s oldest surviving race.

Notable past winners include three times winner Double Trigger (1995, 1996, 1998), Persian Punch (2003) and Her Majesty The Queen’s Estimate (2014).

Find out more about the Doncaster Cup:

Doncaster Cup

Race Overview – The Doncaster Cup

The Doncaster Cup is a Group 2 flat race for horses aged three and above contested in the United Kingdom. It is held every year in September and is run over a distance of 2 miles, 1 furlong, and 197 yards at Doncaster.

Check out our guides to all the other Group 2 horse races.

Doncaster Cup Odds 2023

Here are the latest odds for the Doncaster Cup in 2023:

  • There is no open book of odds in the ante-post market for this event yet

Doncaster Cup Tips 2023

Here are some tips for Doncaster Cup in 2023:

  • 2 points to win for Coltrane
  • 1 point each way for Sweet William

Some of the horses in the Doncaster Cup will run in other events later in the year. Stay updated on the horses and place ante-post bets if you want to wager on them.

For racing tips on more races at Doncaster, check out our tips guide.

Our outstanding horse racing tippers provide remarkable horse event tips for today for all Doncaster racing events!

Doncaster Cup Previous Winners

Check out the previous winners below:

YearWinnerAgeJockeyTrainerOwnerTime
1801Chance4P Wentworth
1802Alonzo4C Brandling
1803Remembrancer3Ben SmithJohn Smith10th Earl of Strathmore
1804Sir Oliver4Lord Grey
1805Caleb Quotem3C Scaife4th Earl Fitzwilliam
1806Camillus3W Garforth
1807Scud3Lord Monson
1808Laurel Leaf3T Duncombe
1809Whitenose3Lord Milton
1810Trophonius3BoyceLord Darlington
1811Grimalkin3T Duncombe
1812Slender Billy4J Glover
1813Viscount4James CroftSir Willam Maxwell
1814Tramp4Tommy SykesRichard Watt
1815Catton66th Earl of Scarbrough
1816Filho da Puta4J. ScottThomas Houldsworth
1817Fulford5Colonel King
1818Rasping56th Duke of Leeds
1819Otho7William Garforth
1820Juggler5Isaac BladesT O Powlett
1821Consul5H EdwardsJ G Lambton
1822Euphrates6Jem RobinsonJ Dilly
1823Figaro4Thomas LyeA Farquharson
1824Mercutio5H Edwards6th Duke of Leeds
1825Lottery5George NelsonMr Whittaker
1826Fleur-de-Lis4George NelsonSir M W Ridley
1827Mulatto4Thomas Lye4th Earl Fitzwilliam
1828Laurel4Thomas NicholsonMajor Yarburgh
1829Voltaire3Thomas LyeJohn SmithLord Darlington
1830Retriever4Thomas LyeLord Kelburn
1831The Saddler3Thomas LyeMr Wagstaff
1832Galopade4Bob JohnsonR Riddell
1833Rockingham3Thomas NicholsonRichard ShepherdRichard Watt
1834Tomboy5Bob JohnsonWilliam Orde
1835Touchstone4William ScottJohn Scott1st Marquess of Westminster
1836Touchstone5William ScottJohn Scott1st Marquess of Westminster
1837Beeswing4D CartwrightJames WatsonWillam Orde
1838Don John3Nat FlatmanJohn Scott6th Earl of Chesterfield
1839Charles the Twelfth3William ScottJohn ScottMajor Yarburgh
1840Beeswing7D CartwrightJames WatsonWillam Orde
1841Beeswing8D CartwrightJames WatsonWillam Orde
1842Beeswing9D CartwrightJames WatsonWillam Orde
1843Alice Hawthorn5R HesseltineR HesseltineH Wormald
1844Alice Hawthorn6J BurnbyR HesseltineG Salvin
1845Sweetmeat3G WhitehouseW HadlowA W Hill
1846The Hero3Alfred DayJohn Barham DayJohn Barham Day
1847War Eagle3S MannCharles MarsonE Bouverie
1848Chanticleer5Nat FlatmanWilliam I'AnsonJames Merry
1849Canezou4Frank ButlerJohn ScottLord Stanley
1850Voltigeur3Nat FlatmanRobert Hill2nd Earl of Zetland
1851The Ban3J ArnoldAlec Taylor, Sr.Sir Joseph Hawley
1852Teddington4Job MarsonAlec Taylor, Sr.John Massey Stanley
1853Hungerford5J CharltonW KingMeyer de Rothschild
1854Virago3John WellsJohn Barham DayHenry Padwick
1855Rataplan5A CowleyW WyattC Thellusson
1856Fandango4Job MarsonGeorge Abdale2nd Earl of Zetland
1857Vedette3Tom ChalonerGeorge Abdale2nd Earl of Zetland
1858Vedette4John OsborneGeorge Abdale2nd Earl of Zetland
1859Newcastle3George FordhamJoseph Dawson7th Earl of Stamford
1860Sabreur3Tom ChalonerG Abdale2nd Earl of Zetland
1861Kettledrum3Ralph BullockGeorge OatesCharles Towneley
1862Tim Whiffler3Ralph BullockT S DawsonLord W Powlett
1863Macaroni3Tom ChalonerJames GoddingRichard Naylor
1864General Peel3H CoveyThomas Dawson5th Earl of Glasgow
1865Ackworth4George FordhamJohn Day4th Marquess of Hastings
1866Rama3S KenyonW Goater12th Earl of Westmorland
1867Achievement3S KenyonJames DoverMark Pearson
1868Mandrake4John OsborneThomas DawsonJ Johnstone
1869Good Hope3W GrayThomas DawsonJ Johnstone
1870Sornette3T HandleyC PrattMajor Fridolin
1871Shannon3HuntF Mouncey
1872Dutch Skater6George FordhamT JenningsC J Lefevre
1873Uhlan4Charles MaidmentW GilbertH Savill
1874Lily Agnes3W ChalonerJ Snarry
1875Fraulein5Jem GoaterW GoaterMr Gomm
1876Craig Millar4Thomas ChalonerAlec Taylor, Sr.William Stirling Crawfurd
1877Hampton5Frederic WebbRobert PeckR G Hobson
1878Pageant7Tom CannonJohn PorterFrederick Gretton
1879Isonomy4Tom CannonJohn PorterFrederick Gretton
1880Dresden China4J SnowdenWilliam I'Anson JnrC Perkins
1881Petronel4Fred ArcherJ Jewitt8th Duke of Beaufort
1882Retreat5Charles WoodT Wadlow3rd Earl of Bradford
1883Thebais5Charles WoodJohn PorterSir Frederick Johnstone
1884Louis d'Or7Tom CannonAlfred HayhoeLeopold de Rothschild
1885Hambledon3J FaganWilliam I'Anson JnrWilliam I'Anson Jnr
1886The Bard3Charles WoodMartin GurryRobert Peck
1887Carlton4George BarrettAlec Taylor, Sr.Lord E Somerset
1888Grafton3George BarrettR SherrardSir George Chetwynd
1889Claymore5Frederic WebbJ Humphreys3rd Earl Howe
1890Tyrant5T CalderW WaltersA M Singer
1891Queen's Birthday4John WattsC LundMajor Joicey
1892Chesterfield4Charles LoatesC W GoldingJ T Davies
1893Prisoner3Morny CannonJames Waugh5th Earl Cadogan
1894Sweet Duchess3S ChandeleyRobert SherwoodSir R W Griffith
1895Kilsallaghan4Morny CannonJ JewittJames Machell
1896Laodamia6E HuntThomas LewisW W Fulton
1897Winkfield's Pride4Morny CannonJack RobinsonJ C Sullivan
1898Pinfold3Charles WoodGeorge BlackwellSir J Miller
1899Calveley4Morny CannonJohn Porter1st Duke of Westminster
1900King's Courier3Lester ReiffE WishardJ A Drake
1901(dh)Merry GalSidus44Lester ReiffDanny MaherJack RobinsonWilliam Hall-Walker
1902William the Third4Morny CannonJohn Porter6th Duke of Portland
1903Wavelet's Pride6Danny MaherJ D EdwardsJ D Edwards
1904Robert le Diable5William LaneDick Dawson5th Earl of Carnarvon
1905Bachelor's Button6Herbert JonesCharles PeckSolomon Joel
1906Velocity4Danny MaherP PeeblesMrs H V Jackson
1907Velocity5Herbert JonesP PeeblesMrs H V Jackson
1908Radium5Otto MaddenJohn WatsonLeopold de Rothschild
1909Amadis3Otto MaddenWilliam Waugh7th Viscount Falmouth
1910Bronzino3Freddie FoxFrederick PrattJ A de Rothschild
1911Lemberg4Frank WoottonAlec Taylor, Jr.Alfred W. Cox
1912Prince Palatine4F O'NeillHenry BeardsleyThomas Pilkington
1913Long Set6William HiggsJ H BathoSolomon Joel
1914Willbrook3Steve DonoghueColledge LeaderJ Ryan
1919Haki7Joe ChildsAlec Taylor, Jr.2nd Viscount Astor
1920Buchan4Frank BullockAlec Taylor, Jr.2nd Viscount Astor
1921Flamboyant3W ListerReg DayMrs G Robinson
1922Devizes5Charlie ElliottJack JarvisSir W Cooke
1923Silurian4Tommy WestonGeorge Lambton17th Earl of Derby
1924Santorb3Steve DonoghueJ RhodesB Walker
1925St Germans4Frank BullockAlec Taylor, Jr.2nd Viscount Astor
1926Bongrace3Freddie FoxJack Jarvis5th Earl of Rosebery
1927Bythorne3Tommy WestonFrank Butters17th Earl of Derby
1928Pons Asinorum6F N WinterWalter EarlSolomon Joel
1929Athford4Michael BearyDick DawsonW Barnett
1930Brown Jack6Joe ChildsIvor AnthonyHarold Augustus Wernher
1931Singapore4Gordon RichardsThomas Hogg1st Baron Glanely
1932Foxhunter3Gordon RichardsJack JarvisE Esmond
1933Colorado Kid4Gordon RichardsVictor GilpinG Loder
1934Alcazar3Joe ChildsCecil Boyd-RochfortW Woodward
1935Black Devil4Joe ChildsCecil Boyd-RochfortW Woodward
1936Buckleigh4Gordon RichardsThomas Hogg1st Baron Glanely
1937Haulfryn4Gordon RichardsG MetcalfeF Minoprio
1938Epigram5Brownie CarslakeNoel CannonJ V Rank
1946Marsyas6Charlie ElliottCharles SemblatMarcel Boussac
1947Trimbush7Doug SmithP VaseyMrs F Senior
1948Auralia5Doug SmithReg DayMrs A Johnston
1949Alycidon4Doug SmithWalter Earl17th Earl of Derby
1950Aldborough5Doug SmithFulke WalwynDorothy Paget
1951Fast Fox4Freddie PalmerP CarterBaron G de Waldner
1952Aquino4Gordon RichardsF ArmstrongMaharanee of Baroda
1953(dh)SouepiNick La Rocca54Charlie ElliottJoe MercerG DigbyR J CollingG DigbyF Williams
1954Osborne7Harry CarrCecil Boyd-RochfortW P Wyatt
1955Entente Cordiale4Doug SmithGeorge Colling18th Earl of Derby
1956Atlas3Harry CarrCecil Boyd-RochfortQueen Elizabeth II
1957French Beige4G LittlewoodHenry PeacockR F Dennis
1958Agreement4Doug SmithCecil Boyd-RochfortQueen Elizabeth II
1959Agreement5Harry CarrCecil Boyd-RochfortQueen Elizabeth II
1960Exar4Lester PiggottNoel MurlessCarlo Vittadini
1961Pandofell4Lester PiggottF MaxwellH W Daw
1962Bonnard4Ron HutchinsonJ ClaytonMarchese della Rochetta
1963Raise You Ten3Doug SmithCecil Boyd-RochfortP Widener
1964Grey of Falloden5Joe MercerDick Hern3rd Viscount Astor
1965Prince Hansel5D YatesDavid ThomJ Barker
1966Piaco3Taffy ThomasGeoffrey BarlingM Watney
1967Crozier4Frankie DurrPeter WalwynA D G Oldrey
1968The Accuser4Joe MercerDick HernLord Rotherwick
1969Canterbury4Bill WilliamsonPaddy PrendergastJ Olin
1970Magna Carta4Geoff LewisIan BaldingQueen Elizabeth II4:02.40
1971Rock Roi4Duncan KeithPeter WalwynF Hue-Williams4:00.60
1972Biskrah5Joe MercerScobie BreasleyLady Beaverbrook4:01.60
1973Attica Meli4Geoff LewisNoel MurlessLouis Freedman
1974Proverb4Willie CarsonBarry HillsJ Chandler-Freeman
1975Crash Course4Tony KimberleyJeremy HindleyMrs J Hindley
1976Sea Anchor4Joe MercerDick HernDick Hollingsworth4:04.80
1977Shangamuzo4Pat EdderyGavin HunterMrs E Charles
1978Buckskin5Joe MercerHenry CecilDaniel Wildenstein
1979Le Moss4Joe MercerHenry CecilCarlo d'Alessio
1980Le Moss5Joe MercerHenry CecilCarlo d'Alessio
1981Protection Racket3John LoweJeremy HindleySerge Fradkoff3:52.70
1982Ardross6Lester PiggottHenry CecilCharles St George
1983Karadar5Walter SwinburnMichael StouteAga Khan IV
1984Wagoner4Tony IvesPeter WalwynA D G Oldrey
1985Spicy Story4Steve CauthenIan BaldingPaul Mellon
1986Longboat [a]5Willie CarsonDick HernDick Hollingsworth3:56.85
1987Buckley4Ray CochraneLuca CumaniMrs A L Chapman3:59.17
1988Kneller3Pat EdderyHenry CecilCharles St George3:53.77
1989Weld3Willie CarsonWilliam Jarvis9th Baron Howard de Walden4:00.10
1990Al Maheb4Michael RobertsAlec StewartHamdan Al Maktoum4:01.05
1991Great Marquess4Pat EdderyHenry CecilCharles St George3:56.03
1992Further Flight6Michael HillsBarry HillsSimon Wingfield Digby3:55.60
1993Assessor4Richard QuinnRichard Hannon Sr.Bjorn Nielsen4:03.84
1994Arcadian Heights6Frankie DettoriGeoff WraggJohn Pearce3:57.32
1995Double Trigger4Jason WeaverMark JohnstonR W Huggins3:58.74
1996Double Trigger5Frankie DettoriMark JohnstonR W Huggins3:53.00
1997Canon Can4Kieren FallonHenry CecilCanon Ltd3:52.17
1998Double Trigger7Darryll HollandMark JohnstonR W Huggins3:55.92
1999Far Cry4Kevin DarleyMartin PipeNicky Chambers3:56.01
2000Enzeli5Johnny MurtaghJohn OxxAga Khan IV3:52.90
2001Alleluia3Jamie MackaySir Mark PrescottSonia Rogers3:58.16
2002Boreas7Jamie SpencerLuca CumaniAston House Stud3:50.29
2003Persian Punch10Martin DwyerDavid ElsworthJeff Smith3:56.67
2004(dh)KasthariMillenary57Johnny MurtaghRichard QuinnHoward JohnsonJohn DunlopElliott BrothersNeil Jones3:51.86
2005Millenary8Richard QuinnJohn DunlopNeil Jones3:51.15
2006Sergeant Cecil [b]7Frankie DettoriRod MillmanTerry Cooper3:58.37
2007Septimus4Johnny MurtaghAidan O'BrienSmith / Magnier / Tabor3:48.41
2008Honolulu4Johnny MurtaghAidan O'BrienSmith / Magnier / Tabor4:03.40
2009Askar Tau4Ryan MooreMarcus TregoningNurlan Bizakov3:54.15
2010Samuel6William BuickJohn GosdenNormandie Stud3:52.99
2011Saddler's Rock3Niall McCullaghJohn OxxMichael O'Flynn3:49.83
2012Times Up6Eddie AhernJohn DunlopI H Stewart-Brown & M J Meacock3:58.11
2013Times Up7Ryan MooreEd DunlopI H Stewart-Brown & M J Meacock3:59.09
2014Estimate5Ryan MooreMichael StouteQueen Elizabeth II3:55.91
2015Pallasator6Andrea AtzeniMark PrescottQatar Racing3:49.60
2016Sheikhzayedroad7Martin HarleyDavid SimcockMohammed Jaber3:52.97
2017Desert Skyline3Silvestre de SousaDavid ElsworthBenham / Whitford / Quinn / Quinn3:51.88
2018Thomas Hobson8Ryan MooreWillie MullinsSusannah Ricci3:53.17
2019Stradivarius5Frankie DettoriJohn GosdenBjorn Nielsen3:59.28
2020Spanish Mission4William BuickAndrew BaldingTeam Valor & Gary Barber3:55.84
2021Stradivarius7Frankie DettoriJohn & Thady GosdenBjorn Nielsen3:53.02
2022Coltrane5David ProbertAndrew BaldingMick and Janice Mariscotti4:01.03
2023Trueshan7Hollie DoyleAlan KingSingula Partnership4:05.61

Doncaster Cup Previous Result

Check out this result from the Doncaster Racecourse:

Famous Doncaster Cup Winners

The Doncaster Cup was first run in 1766 and was originally staged over four miles. It was shortened to two miles and five furlongs in 1825 and to its current distance in 1891.

The most notable early winner was Beeswing who won the race a record four times; 1837, 1840, 1841 and 1842. The popular mare won 51 of her 63 career starts including the 1842 Ascot Gold Cup.

Another famous name on the roll of honour is Brown Jack, successful in 1930. He won the Queen Alexandra Stakes at Royal Ascot on a remarkable six occasions.

Sir Henry Cecil enjoyed plenty of success in this race in the late seventies and early eighties. He won it with champion stayers Buckskin (1978), Le Moss (1979, 1980) and Ardross (1982).

The more popular Doncaster Cup winner in modern times was Double Trigger, trained by Mark Johnston. He won it three times between 1995 and 1998 and started a well-backed favourite on each occasion.

The 2004 Doncaster Cup produced a dead-heat between Millenary and Kasthari. Millenary returned to win outright the following season.

Her Majesty The Queen’s Estimate had won the Ascot Gold Cup in 2013 and rewarded her supporters when starting hot favourite for the 2014 Doncaster Cup.

Times Up added his name to the list of dual winners in 2012 and 2013. He was trained by the late John Dunlop to his first victory with son Ed preparing him for a repeat win the following season.

The most recent dual winner was three-times Ascot Gold Cup winner Stradivarius (2019 and 2021). He remained in training as an eight-year-old to target a record-equalling fourth Ascot victory but finished third in a controversial race, sparking a temporary break in the Gosden/Dettori partnership.

Key Doncaster Cup Trials

The most informative trial for the Doncaster Cup in recent years has been the Lonsdale Cup at York. Six of the last twelve winners ran in the Lonsdale on their previous start with three of them winning and two placed.

Most winners had run in either the Ascot Gold Cup or Goodwood Cup earlier in the season.

Other useful form guides include the Irish St Leger Trial and Prix Kergorlay.

Seven of the last twelve winners (2014 to 2020 inclusive) ran in the British Champions Long Distance Cup at Ascot in October. Only Sheikhzayedroad (2016) managed to win the Ascot race while Thomas Hobson (2018) and Stradivarius (2019) finished second.

Other possible targets include the Prix du Cadran at Longchamp in which Stradivarius also finished runner-up in 2021.

There has been no age bias in the Doncaster Cup with a wide range of winners from three to ten.

Persian Punch (2003) won as a ten-year-old. Millenary (2005) and Thomas Hobson (2018) were successful as eight-year-olds. It is rare for three-year-olds to win the Doncaster Cup, Desert Skyline (2017) being the most recent to so.

Only Alleluia in 2001 and Saddler’s Rock in 2011 had managed to do so since Weld in 1989.

Favourites have a tremendous recent record in the Doncaster Cup. They won all five renewals from 2017 to 2021 and seven of the last eight. Stradivarius was a 1-9 favourite when landing the odds in 2019 and was 4-11 for his second success two years’ later. Other well-backed winning favourites include Estimate (2014), Thomas Hobson (2018) and Spanish Mission (2020).

Shock results are extremely rare with most winners being from the first three in the Doncaster Cup betting. Petrizzo (1986) looked to have pulled off a major shock but was disqualified in favour of the well-supported Longboat after a stewards’ enquiry.

Eleven of the last twelve Doncaster Cup winners had raced within the previous month.

Previous winning form in a Group race and at least one victory over two miles are other key factors.

An official rating of 107 or higher is usually required to win this race. Only Saddler’s Rock (2011) fell below this mark in recent years with a rating of 101.

The highest officially rated winner was Stradivarius on 121 in both 2019 and 2021.

Doncaster Cup – Top Trainers and Jockeys

The late Sir Henry Cecil drew level with Cecil Boyd-Rochfort on seven Doncaster Cup winners when Canon Can won in 1997. Cecil’s previous winners included Buckskin (1978), Le Moss (1979, 1980) and Ardross (1982).

Aidan O’Brien won the race for the first time with Septimus in 2007 and followed up in 2008 with Honolulu. He has not trained the winner since but his retained rider Ryan Moore has been the man to follow in the Doncaster Cup in recent times. He has won it four times; Askar Tau (2009), Times Up (2013), Estimate (2014) and Thomas Hobson (2018).

Moore is four winners adrift of Joe Mercer who won it a record eight times between 1953 and 1980.

Best Doncaster Cup Betting Sites

The Doncaster Cup is one of the highlights of the St Leger Festival and has been voted one of the favourites in recent seasons.

This race has featured some very popular and well-known horses in its time, for example, Stradavarius winning the 2021 and 2019 races.

Here are the best Doncaster Cup betting sites offering free bets or great existing customer promotions:

Check out our guide if you are wanting to research all the best UK horse racing betting sites in 2023.

All of the above sites made our current list of the best horse betting sites around.

Doncaster Cup FAQ’s

How Can I Watch The Doncaster Cup Race?

The best places to watch the Doncaster Cup Race are:

As the Doncaster Cup Race is broadcasted on ITV television the ITV Racing bet365 free bet promotion is going to be many of the horse racing punters’ number one betting offer for existing customers.

If you are abroad and looking to watch the race check out our guide on where to watch the horse racing events.

With ITV Racing featuring the Doncaster St Leger Festival races, the Doncaster Cup Race will be watched by millions live on television.

What Are the Important Facts About The Doncaster Cup Race?

Here are interesting facts about the Doncaster Cup:

The Doncaster Cup is run at Doncaster Racecourse, South Yorkshire, England
The Doncaster Cup prize money is £73,723
The Doncaster Cup is for horses aged 3 or over
The Doncaster Cup is a Group 2 flat horse race in Great Britain
The Doncaster Cup distance is 1 furlong and 197 yards
The Doncaster Cup is held on the 3rd day of Doncaster’s four-day St. Leger Festival
The Doncaster Cup is run on the same day as the Flying Childers Stakes

Where is the Doncaster Cup held?

The Doncaster Cup is held at Doncaster Racecourse.

What distance is the Doncaster Cup?

The Doncaster Cup is 2 miles, 1 furlong, and 197 yards long.

Summary of Doncaster Cup

We hoped you enjoyed our guide to the Doncaster Cup.

The race is one of the most prestigious staying races of the flat year.

It has been won by many greats over the years, including one of our favourites – Double Trigger!

Resources

2023 Doncaster St Leger Festival Posts

Here are all the related articles to the Doncaster St Leger Festival 2023:

If you do choose to bet, please bet responsibly.