How did the St Leger topple the Derby to become Britain's most popular Classic?

Nobody who was at Doncaster last Saturday could be in any doubt as to the health of the world's oldest Classic – they needed only to heed the evidence of their ears.

There was a huge roar as battle was joined in the 249th running of the St Leger, and it lasted until well after Scandinavia had got the job done and added his name to a roll of honour dating back to Allabaculia in 1776.

The evidence of one's eyes was compelling too, whether it be the packed stands and infield or the traffic congestion and queues that meant Fred Done, founder of sponsors Betfred, had reportedly never taken so long to get to the track – although he was apparently delighted to be held up by so many eager racegoers.

Kevin Buckley, UK representative of winning owners Coolmore, was among those awed by the reception at Doncaster, writing on X: "I wish that I could have bottled the brilliant atmosphere."

But perhaps the most remarkable news emerging from the day was that attendance has overtaken the Derby, making the humble St Leger – so often the poor relation to other Classics in terms of field quality and media attention – the most popular of Britain's five generation-defining races.

A tale of two Classics

The Derby is often referred to as the premier Classic, but that is no longer the case, at least in terms of crowds. The paid attendance for the St Leger was bigger than at Epsom on the first Saturday in June, by some way.

The crowd for the Derby was smaller than that for the St LegerCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

A total of 22,787 people saw Lambourn win the Derby, whereas there were 26,148 spectators to see him finish fourth in the St Leger at Doncaster three months later.

That was the best St Leger day crowd since before the pandemic, up from 23,569 last year. Pre-Covid, crowds were typically close to 30,000, having steadily grown since the early 2000s.

It is a very different picture at Epsom. The first Derby with full crowds after the pandemic, in 2022, attracted 37,274 people, which was just 770 down on three years earlier. But numbers have fallen off considerably since.

Taking a longer-term view, this year's turnout of less than 23,000 was dwarfed by the attendances from 20 years ago (48,206) and 25 years ago (46,409), whereas Doncaster comfortably beat its crowd from 2005 (22,757) and 2000 (20,460).

This year's Oaks day attendance of 14,812 at Epsom does not compare too unfavourably with the 15,326 present in 2000. But it continued a downward trend from 23,584 in 2022, and was the lowest figure since 2003.

Classic crowds at Newmarket have done much better. The post-pandemic high of 18,249 on 2,000 Guineas day was also the third best in the last quarter of a century, while the 1,000 Guineas figure of 11,821 was also the highest since Covid-19.

Why is the St Leger so successful?

Few in Doncaster will have been surprised by the big turnout for the St Leger as it has been a huge event in the city for generations.

A Racing Post report in the build-up highlighted the economic benefits, with one hotel manager saying: "I've been here 20 years and the St Leger affects the volume of guests at the hotel tremendously, as it does the whole city."

Rachel Harwood, executive director of Doncaster since 2020, believes the course stepped up again in 2025 and said: "The atmosphere at this year’s St Leger festival was unbelievable – the best one I’ve been involved in.

• Watch: David Jennings on the St Leger attendances

"We’ve made some changes to our offering, particularly in the County enclosure, and the feedback has been superb, so we’re really pleased."

Mark Spincer, managing director of racing at Arena Racing Company (Arc), expanded on the work behind this year's numbers and said: "We've used modern methods, be it social media, digital screens and the rest. But for the last two years we've also mixed it up with more traditional methods, such as newspapers, door flyers and TV advertising, and that was probably reflected in the age of the audience.

"It's been a little bit younger and the growth was probably in the 25-35s, but we've maintained the traditional element."

He also stressed the local element and said: "What makes this Classic so different is that it's supported so much by the people of Yorkshire. It's a Yorkshire race for Yorkshire people, who really appreciate it for what it is."

Tom Marquand with the St Leger winning jockey's cap and trophyCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

Lambourn trainer Ed Walker is no Yorkshireman but he enjoyed being at Doncaster last week and wrote in his exclusive Racing Post Weekender column: "The crowds were up and there was a fantastic atmosphere on St Leger day, when the noise during the big race was astonishing.

"I wouldn't be Arc's biggest fan but they seemed to get it right. It puts pressure on the Jockey Club over what they're getting wrong at Epsom and some of their other tracks."

What's gone wrong at Epsom?

It has been many years since Derby day boasted not just a paying crowd north of 40,000, but also tens of thousands of daytrippers and coach parties attending on the hill. 

Some trace the Derby's declining relevance to the decision to move the preeminent Classic from a Wednesday to a Saturday, but crowd figures initially rose following that move in 1994, peaking at 48,206 for Motivator's victory in 2005.

Crowds generally remained above 30,000 – often comfortably so – through the 2010s, but since the pandemic have plummeted. Insiders at the Jockey Club, which owns Epsom, sometimes refer to the track as the group's "problem child", and in recent times changes to the festival's structure have been mooted.

"The fact we're having strategic conversations internally shows there isn't confidence the meeting is in its optimum place and format," clerk of the course Andrew Cooper told the Racing Post earlier this year. 

Others have bemoaned the Derby's waning connection with London, which used to be the source of vast crowds heading to the hill, and even the local area of Epsom. 

Contrast that with Doncaster, where the St Leger is a celebrated component of local life, and the sharply diverging fortunes of the two ancient races becomes more understandable. 

Now read these...

Tom Marquand 'blessed' to ride St Leger hero Scandinavia as O'Brien supersub revels in deafening Doncaster atmosphere 

'Don't put the brakes on' - leading Arc figure in government plea after crowds flock to Doncaster for Leger meeting 

Back from a heart attack at 57 to win on a horse who 'wouldn't get the trip in a horsebox' - what a legend! 

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