Ripon’s popular annual ‘Children’s Day’ Meeting takes place on Monday (August 3), followed by an evening programme on Tuesday (August 4), with racing set to begin at 2-15 p.m. and 6-05p.m. respectively.

Monday’s activities for children in the Course Enclosure include performances by The National Festival Circus along with a variety of funfair rides and free ice-creams for youngsters while stocks last! The Go Racing in Yorkshire Racing Roadshow will also be in the course enclosure for racegoers of all ages to learn about horses, jockeys and racing in general. The Northern Racing College will also be providing an equicisor for you to test your own jockey skills. As usual at Ripon, accompanied children fewer than 18 years of age are admitted free of charge into all enclosures and there are designated play areas for children.

Children (limited numbers) will also receive their very own special goody bags with their own ‘Children’s Racecard’ to help them learn all about horse racing. Each child will also be given a FREE ice cream on the day.

Monday’s feature races are The Armstrong Memorial Handicap Stakes over six furlongs a race for three-year-olds. The 59th running of the Armstrong Memorial race (usually held in early August) and is supported by the Armstrong Family, one of the country’s most famous racing dynasties, which includes legendary Yorkshire trainers, the late Gerald and Sam Armstrong. Colin Armstrong, who father was Gerald Armstrong, is a director of the Ripon Race Company.

Also featured on Monday afternoon is The Visit Attheraces.com Handicap Stakes a content over five furlongs for three year-olds.
On Tuesday evening, the feature race is the fourth running of The David Chapman Memorial Handicap Stakes, a £12,000 contest for sprinters over five furlongs which remembers a very popular trainer, who was based at Stillington near York. He was renowned for training sprinters such as Soba, Chaplin’s Club, Quito, Glencroft and Soaked. His grand-daughter, Ruth Carr has successfully taken over at Mowbray House Farm and is likely have a runner in the race.

Also featured on Tuesday evening are The Sanlan Private Wealth And Guests Handicap Stakes (two-year-olds over five furlongs).

Racegoers will be able to follow all of the action on the course’s permanent giant screen.