Yorkshire Jockeys Horse Racing

Beverley Logo Catterick Logo Doncaster Logo Pontefract Logo Redcar Logo Ripon Logo Thirsk Logo Wetherby Logo York Logo


Just a few days after Midsummers Day, the Midsummer Tea Party comes to Pontefract Races on Monday 27th June.
The Farmer Copleys marquee will be serving afternoon tea throughout the afternoon. Overlooking the Parade Ring, it’s the perfect place to enjoy a gorgeous afternoon tea whilst watching the equine stars strut their stuff. Walk in space to the marquee will be available but limited. If you’re interested in booking an Afternoon Tea for just £6.95 per person, please visit the Racecourse website at www.pontefract-races.co.uk for full information.
On the track the European Breeders Fund sponsor the 2 most valuable races on the card – the Fillies Handicap and the Spindrifter Conditions Stakes. The latter always produces a speedy youngster – the race was won in 2015 by Richard Hannon’s ‘Age of Empire’. The race honours Spindrifter, who won an incredible 13 races as a two year old in 1980 – three of which were at Pontefract!
The EBF Alan Mercer 60th Birthday Fillies Handicap over 6f gives the fairer sex a chance to battle it out – her rivals didn’t see which way she went when Gran Canaria Queen made all the running and ran out a very impressive winner last year.
The popular Lifetime in Racing Series host a 5f Sprint in honour of Rose Beattie. With a rich history in the sport, Rose is now semi retired having been a travelling manager with Mark Johnston since 2002. We look forward to welcoming her and her family to Pontefract and will be watching out for the Johnston runners in the race!!
Tony Perkins sponsors a couple of races on the card – a Classified Race in honour of his late grandfather Wilfred Underwood and a handicap for Lady Amateur riders celebrating the life of his aunt, Audrey Martin. The 6f Classified race gives lightly raced horses who have won just one race the chance to battle it out before stepping forward into Handicap or Listed company. Paint The Star took the race in 2015, giving Richard Hannon a double on the card!
The Conway Family will again be remembering Wayne for the 9th consecutive year. He loved his racing at Pontefract and would have loved having a race in his honour. He’d have also made a couple of pounds had he followed last year’s victor, Ingleby Hollow, who has only been out of the first 3 once since taking this race.
The Racecourse Postcode Lottery gives the opportunity for anyone based in the Doncaster area to come racing for just £2. By registering a utility bill with the Racecourse, residents with a ‘DN’ postcode can get a ticket to the Grandstand & Paddock Enclosure at the heavily discounted rate.
The Racecourse will once again be offering discounted tickets to those who book in advance – see www.pontefract-races.co.uk for more information.