AVAST and belay me hearties there are pirates on the loose at Thirsk this Friday (August 31) when Cap’n Jack Sparrow and his scurvy crew return to the North Yorkshire course for another laughter-packed piratical Family Fun Day.
He’ll be looking to recruit some younger members to his crew from the landlubbers on course and there should be no need for press-ganging as there are bound to be plenty of volunteers.
There will even be a replica of the Captain’s ship The Black Pearl in the shape of a huge inflatable pirate ship assault course for the really adventurous.
However most would-be pirates may be happy to settle for the face painting, coconut shy and great treasure hunt which, if successful, could lead to a vast hoard of pirate treasure!
And if all that is not enough, the Big Floss Off competition will take place in the parade ring at 3pm with a super prize of a family ticket for two adults and two children to Flamingo Land Resort for the winner.
This will be chosen by special guests Minster FM, who are on course pumping out the music to get you going with those flossing skills.
Non-pirates are well catered for too, with a terrific afternoon’s racing featuring a seven-race card prefaced by Britain’s first ever role reversal charity race at 1.30pm.
For the ‘Creditas ‘Taking Care Of Business’ Stable Staff Stakes, the jockeys will have the job of leading up the horses and it will be the stable staff who will be riding them in the race!
Feature race is the six-furlong Theakston Pale Ale Handicap which has attracted a strong entry including the Roger Varian trained Equitation, who looked a certain winner in waiting when second to Lady Freyja at Newmarket two weeks ago.
Richard Fahey, who is once again leading the field for winners at Thirsk this season, has a strong entry on the day including last month’s Musselburgh winner Gabrial The Tiger, who would be a danger to all if taking his chance in the @Thirskraces Ladies’ Day Saturday 8th September Book Now Handicap.
The whole day promises to be one of the highlights of the summer at Thirsk with the gates opening at 11.30am.
Entry to the Premier Enclosure costs £23 on the day, Paddock Enclosure costs £15 and Family Enclosure starts from £6. Discounts are available if booked in advance along with great reductions for the special packages and for group bookings whilst, as always, adult accompanied children under 18 get in free.