THE four-day Ladbrokes St Leger Festival at Doncaster starts on Wednesday next, September 7th, Leger Legends Day, with a seven-race card headed by the annual charity Clipper Logistics Leger Legends Classified Race (3.35pm, 43 entries).

Run under the Rules of Racing, the mile contest sees 14 former jockeys return to the saddle in aid of the Northern Racing College and the Injured Jockeys Fund's Jack Berry House.

This year's line-up is headlined two former champions in Joseph O'Brien and Richard Hughes. O'Brien captured the Irish flat jockeys' championship in 2012 and 2013, while Hughes dominated the British equivalent for three consecutive years between 2012 and 2014.

Professional Jockeys' Association Liaison Officer Dale Gibson, who organises the event, said today: "The 43 entries for the race is a record and we are delighted with the support from owners and trainers.

"The race has really gathered momentum over the last four or five years and everyone is really looking forward to it. We have raised £650,000 since the first running in 2010 and we are looking to get that figure beyond three quarters of a million on Wednesday.

"We have got a broad cross section of jockeys this year, which is what it's all about. Joseph O'Brien is coming over from Ireland and, I must say, he has been really enthusiastic and supportive in the build-up. He is very much looking forward to riding again.

"Billy Newnes is flying in from Germany and then we have got the likes of champion jockey Richard Hughes, Peter Buchanan and Adrian Nicholls riding in the race for the first time, having all recently retired.

"The silent auction was launched last week. We find with these things that they really start picking up in the last few days and that should be the case again. There is wide range of lots people can get their hands on including a riding lesson with A P McCoy.

"We have some fantastic stuff on offer for the live auction on the day. They include a trip to Coolmore for four people which was very popular last year.

"There will be 450 guests attending the lunch, including Sir Alex Ferguson. He has been a massive supporter of the race and it is great to have him on board again this year."

The full list of intended riders is as follows: Gary Bardwell, Peter Buchanan, Tony Clark, Tony Culhane, George Duffield, Dale Gibson, Luke Harvey, Richard Hughes, Gay Kelleway, Tom McLaughlin, Billy Newnes, Adrian Nicholls, Joseph O'Brien and Ollie Pears. Rodney Lappin and Daragh O'Donohoe are reserves.

Full details of all lots for the live and silent auctions can be found online at www.legerlegends-auction.com, with the website also enabling bids to be placed.