Landowner William Wombwell died in in 1731 without a male heir. His legacy was divided between his two daughters, Margaret and Elizabeth. The second daughter, Elizabeth Wombwell married Sir Charles Turner but it was Margaret who would inherit Old Moor. In 1761 Margaret married Colonel Anthony St Leger esquire, nephew to the First Viscount Doneraile (Peerage of Ireland). Margaret and Anthony remained at Old Moor for 15 years.
For the sale of Old Moor in 1776 the Second Marquis of Rockingham, Charles Watson-Wentworth enlisted William Fairbank to conduct the survey. Four generations of Fairbanks have surveyed lands not only in our area but much further afield. There is an incredible amount of fine details in the plan and accompanying documents of Fairbank’s work. Across the top of the plan of the farm is the evidence confirming the old and new landowners. The sale was completed in August of that year.
We know that Anthony St Leger was a horse racing enthusiast, across the years there are a series of reports and articles in newspapers that mention him training his horses on Old Moor. Charles Watson-Wentworth and Anthony St Leger worked together and come up with an idea which was realised in September. An idea which saw the creation of a horse race that is still celebrated when it is run annually in September…The St Leger Classic at Doncaster. September 2026 was the 250th anniversary of the race.