The short answer
Doncaster Racecourse publishes the 2027 St Leger Festival as 9th to 12th September. We arrange the landing for your date, subject to permission and site suitability, using the racecourse where it can accept a helicopter or a nearby airfield such as Sandtoft, with a car for the last stretch. Manchester to Sandtoft is about 30 to 35 minutes by helicopter.
Quote this event Tell us the date and the number of guests; we reply with options and a price for the whole aircraft.
Key facts
- Event
- St Leger Festival, Doncaster Racecourse, Leger Way, Doncaster
- Usual month
- September
- 2027 dates
- 9th to 12th September 2027, as published by Doncaster Racecourse; the Lincoln is Saturday 3rd April 2027; check with the organiser before you book
- Where we land
- Arranged for your date. Reference airfield: Sandtoft Airfield, Belton, near Doncaster
- Sandtoft Airfield
- Weekdays 09:00 to 17:00 unlicensed; licensed at weekends and on request; prior permission recommended; fuel confirmed before dispatch
- Manchester to Sandtoft
- About 30 to 35 minutes by helicopter; about 2 hours 9 minutes by car
- Central London to Sandtoft
- About 60 to 75 minutes by helicopter; about 3 hours 50 minutes by car
- Birmingham to Sandtoft
- About 35 to 45 minutes by helicopter; about 2 hours 9 minutes by car
How do guests arrive for the St Leger by helicopter?
Helicopter charter to Doncaster for the St Leger is arranged around a nearby airfield unless the racecourse can accept a helicopter.
For the St Leger we arrange the landing with you in advance and subject to landing permission and site suitability. Doncaster Racecourse does not publish a helicopter arrival service in its fixtures announcement, so we do not claim a helipad. Where the racecourse can accept a helicopter on your date, we land there; where it cannot, we land at an airfield nearby and a car takes you the last stretch.
Sandtoft Airfield at Belton, near Doncaster, is the reference site in our airfield library. It is not in the UK Aeronautical Information Publication, is licensed at weekends and on request, and its published hours are weekdays 09:00 to 17:00. Because the festival includes a weekend, we confirm the licensing arrangement for any public-transport flight before we plan around it. Prior permission is recommended, and we confirm fuel before dispatch.
Other sites in the area are Leeds East Airport at Church Fenton (about 20 nautical miles from Sandtoft), Humberside and Retford Gamston. See helicopter charter Sheffield and helicopter charter Leeds.
What is the St Leger Festival?
The St Leger is the oldest of the five British Classic races. Doncaster Racecourse publishes the 2027 festival as 9th to 12th September. Third-party ticket listings describe Thursday as Ladies Day, Friday as Gents Day and Saturday 11th September as St Leger Day. Treat those as unconfirmed and check with the racecourse for the programme and the days.
The Lincoln, which opens the Flat season, is published for Saturday 3rd April 2027. Doncaster also runs Saturday meetings over the summer, which Doncaster describes without dates.
As with all racing events, race times change. We confirm the programme nearer the date and agree your return slot after the last race.
Flight times to the Doncaster area
These are the typical helicopter times to Sandtoft from our route data with the free-flowing car time. Add the transfer to the racecourse.
- York: about 15 to 20 minutes, 1 hour 2 minutes by car.
- Leeds: about 20 to 25 minutes, 1 hour 19 minutes by car.
- Manchester: about 30 to 35 minutes, 2 hours 9 minutes by car.
- Liverpool: about 35 to 45 minutes, 2 hours 13 minutes by car.
- Birmingham: about 35 to 45 minutes, 2 hours 9 minutes by car.
- Newcastle: about 45 to 55 minutes, 2 hours 56 minutes by car.
- Central London: about 60 to 75 minutes, 3 hours 50 minutes by car.
- Edinburgh: about 75 to 95 minutes, 5 hours 2 minutes by car.
The Yorkshire and the Humber region page has more on the area. Compare York for the other big Yorkshire meeting.
Booking the St Leger
The St Leger is a major September weekend, so ask early. Give us your date, numbers and departure point. We need passenger weights, and bags should be soft. Everyone arrives 10 minutes before take-off.
If the flight is cancelled because of the weather, you pay nothing. For costs, see the helicopter hire price guides. For the full season see horse racing by helicopter and the events hub.
Frequently asked questions
When is the St Leger 2027?
Doncaster Racecourse publishes the St Leger Festival as 9th to 12th September 2027. Check with the organiser for the race days before you book.
Can a helicopter land at Doncaster Racecourse?
It depends on the date. Doncaster does not publish a helicopter service, so we arrange the landing in advance, subject to landing permission and site suitability, or use a nearby airfield and a car.
Which airfield do you use near Doncaster?
Sandtoft Airfield at Belton is the reference site in our library, with prior permission recommended. We confirm its licensing for your date.
How long does it take to fly from Manchester?
About 30 to 35 minutes to Sandtoft, against about 2 hours 9 minutes by car.
Is the St Leger the oldest Classic?
Yes, it is the oldest of the five British Classic races.
Can you fly us from London?
Yes. London to Sandtoft is typically 60 to 75 minutes. Add the last stretch by car.
