The birthplace of butterscotch and the Classic heartland of Yorkshire racing

1 Doncaster is a large market town of about 110,000 people on the River Don in South Yorkshire, founded on the site of a Roman fort. It isn’t actually twinned with Sheffield but is on friendly enough terms to share an airport with it: Robin Hood Doncaster Sheffield in Finningley.

2 Its economy was based on coal mining, and the collapse of the British coal industry in the 1970s and 80s hit it hard, although the town remained notable as the site of the building of the Mallard and Flying Scotsman locomotives, the birthplace of butterscotch and the spiritual home of Nuttall’s Mintoes.

3 Horseracing in Doncaster grew steadily from ad hoc beginnings in the 16th century, although vain attempts were made to ban it in 1600 because of the dubious nature of the clientele it attracted. Today’s clientele, of course, are considered to be beyond reproach.