Princess Anne the favourite

Princess Anne unveiled the Town Moor course’s new 30 million Urban-i stand and toured the grandstands, which are back in action after refurbishments which meant last year’s St Leger had to be run in York.

She also attended a charity auction for the Animal Health Trust, of which she is patron.

Tony Sockett, Doncaster’s civic mayor, whose father Joss was a professional jockey who won his first race in 1933, said: “It was a marvellous day and I’m very glad to be back at the racecourse.

“When Her Royal Highness unveiled the plaque to declare the stand officially open it was a very special moment.

“She went on to give a very full account of the pleasure she got from racing and from seeing this historic course officially opened.

“I did get a chance later to ask if she’d had a successful day but she was very quick to point out that she doesn’t actually back horses!

“It was a special day for me as I come from a racing family.

“The course was in immaculate condition and all the features, including the new stand and exhibition centre are first class.”

Henry Beeby, chairman of Doncaster Bloodstock Sales, hosted an auction in aid of the Animal Health Trust, which raised nearly 40,000.

Items under the hammer included a painting of the 1970 St Leger winner Nijinsky which sold for 6,500, and a bronze of racehorse Motivator who won the Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster in 2004, which fetched 32,000.

Mr Beeby said: “As chairman of the Bloodstocks I’ve been lucky to meet the Princess on a number of occasions. I once had the pleasure of sitting next to her during the Breeders Awards, which was a very memorable occasion. She was certainly very impressed by the racecourse and very pleased that we’d raised a substantial sum for one of her charities.”

The Princess Royal went on to the village of Fishlake. She visited St Cuthbert’s Church to see the results of its refurbishment programme and to be entertained by a group of young musicians .

At Thorne she got an insight into the North East Doncaster Citizens Advice Bureau.

Coun Carol Williams was among those who met the Princess and said: “It was the second time I’ve met the Princess. She came here two years ago to open the footbridge across the canal, so it was sort of like meeting an old friend.

“She spent about an hour at the bureau and was very interested in the work the staff were doing.”