The Doncaster Cup brings a confirmed field of eight to Doncaster on Friday, September 11, with Caballo De Mar and Queenstown among the leading names in the £165,000 Group 2 staying contest.
The race is run over about two miles and two furlongs and is one of the historic anchors of St Leger Festival week.
Caballo De Mar brings Group 1 form
Caballo De Mar enters as a dual Group 1 winner. He won the Prix du Cadran in France last year and added the Prix Vicomtesse Vigier earlier this season. Oisin Murphy is booked to ride.
That proven staying record gives him one of the strongest established profiles in the field.
Queenstown returns after Curragh win
Queenstown represents Aidan O’Brien and comes into the race after winning on his seasonal return at the Curragh last month. The trainer has not won the Doncaster Cup since 2008, making this a notable opportunity to add another major staying prize.
The confirmed field
The eight declared runners are Caballo De Mar, Queenstown, Winday, Epic Poet, Beylerbeyi, Ascending, Berkshire Sundance and Peace Belle.
Winday arrives for trainer Emmet Mullins after recording a first career victory in his latest start. Epic Poet steps up to the race distance for the first time, while Beylerbeyi and Ascending both bring recent Ebor Handicap form.
A race with deep history
The Doncaster Cup was first run in 1766, making it older than the St Leger itself. Doncaster identifies the race as the final leg of the traditional stayers’ triple crown and part of the British Champions Series.
Its place on Friday’s card gives the festival a major staying feature before attention turns to Saturday’s St Leger Stakes.
Follow St Leger Festival
For the full four day schedule and the wider significance of the meeting, read OTB Bet’s St Leger Festival guide. Readers can also explore Major Races and the latest horse racing news.
Sources
The field, purse, jockey information and recent form notes were verified with Doncaster Racecourse’s official declaration release dated September 9, 2026. Race history was verified with Doncaster Racecourse.
