Doncaster still seeking sponsor for the Leger

Harbour Law ridden by George Baker who won last year's St Leger.

Doncaster’s four-day festival was previously backed by Ladbrokes whose longstanding sponsorship ended last September.

The firm was yesterday unveiled as the new backer of Newbury’s famous two-day Hennessy meeting, with total prize money also due to rise £100,000 to £700,000.

A spokesman for Doncaster’s parent company ARC said discussions were continuing to find a new sponsor. He added: “ARC and Doncaster Racecourse look forward to announcing news regarding the 2017 St Leger Festival later in the year, ahead of another four days of great racing.”

Yet, while Ladbrokes did much to revive the St Leger, its sponsorship could not continue because Doncaster was one of the racecourses – unlike Newbury – which signed up to the Authorised Betting Partner scheme which requires sponsoring bookmakers to make certain financial undertakings.

Even though the ABP scheme is likely to end in April when the Government’s new Levy scheme comes into force which will see a 10 per cent tax levied on bookmakers who take bets on British horse races from UK gamblers, Ladbrokes is still open to a Doncaster deal.

“It’s Doncaster’s call and ARC’s call,” said Ladbrokes PR director Mike Dillon.