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The ROA has welcomed the increasing investment by Gold Standard racecourse Doncaster (pictured) in the Ladbrokes St Leger, taking the prize-money for the world's oldest Classic to £550,000.

ROA Chief Executive Richard Wayman said: “The St Leger has enjoyed a marked resurgence in recent years and this announcement is very welcome. There is an ever increasing need to support our best races in the face of growing competition from overseas and the additional prize money can only be good news for the final Classic of the season.”

An extension in Ladbrokes' sponsorship deal by a further three years takes their backing of the Classic, which they first sponsored in 2005, to ten years.

Mike Dillon, director of media affairs at Ladbrokes, said: “We have worked closely with Arena and Doncaster to rebuild the reputation of this great race.  The Ladbrokes St Leger now attracts top-quality horses and the racegoing public have returned in their thousands.

“With horses such as the Sir Michael Stoute-trained Conduit going on to win the Breeders' Cup Turf and be voted Turf Horse of the Year in the US, as well as triumph in the 2009 King George and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, winners from the Gosden stable and Godolphin, the top yards have supported the race magnificently and have helped the Ladbrokes St Leger return to its rightful position.”

Mark Spincer, managing director at Doncaster, said: “We have a fantastic partnership with Ladbrokes and are extremely grateful for their long-term support at Doncaster racecourse. This latest announcement shows their dedication to the Ladbrokes St Leger and the festival in which they have played a major part in enhancing and promoting over the past decade.”

The 2012 Ladbrokes St Leger Festival runs from September 12 to September 15.

7 February 2012