THE ST. LEGER Do you Know???

After 4 years of DERBY and OAKS in the year 1776 a sweepstake race was run at Cantley Common in Doncaster over a diastance of two miles(1mile is 1600m)and was won by the MARQUESS OF ROCKINGHAMS FILLY  ALLABACULA.When time came again to run ,it was suggested that the race be called Rockingham stakes but the MARQUESS insisted that the honour should go to Major General Anthony St. LEGER who had been instrumental in bringing about the first running.A perfect predecessor to the Earl of Derby and Charles Burbury tale that was to take place later at EPSOM.Irish born MAJOR GENERAL ST LEGER IS A SOLDIER and a POLITICIAN,died in the year 1986 at a fairly age of 55.This is how the NAME ST.LAGER IMPLIMENTED.IN INDIA ST LEGER RUNS AT A DISTANCE OF A MILE AND 6 FURLONGS MEANS 2800METRES.

Source: www.indiarace.com