Go Racing at

Ripon Racecourse

Name: Ripon Flat Race | Easter Family Day
Start: 2025-04-17
End: 2025-04-17
Location: Ripon

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The Garden Racecourse

Known as Yorkshire’s ‘Garden Racecourse’, Ripon is renowned for its colourful flowerbeds and well-kept lawns.

Upcoming Events

Ripon is very much an inclusive family racecourse and hosts an array of race days to suit all parties and ages, along with some top quality racing. There’s evening meetings, family days and Ladies’ day.

Ripon hosts one of the top sprints in Yorkshire – the William Hill Great St Wilfrid Handicap.

A full list of race meetings can be viewed at the bottom of this page, where you can also book tickets.

Ticket Options
Ripon offers something for everyone with three different enclosures:

Club Stand – from £20
The premium enclosure with access to all areas of the track. A chance to dress up – smart attire is required and admission includes a complimentary race card.
Paddock Enclosure – from £14.50
This is the largest and most popular area, which provides access to the parade ring and views of the track. There is access to the main betting ring and it hosts a variety of bars and eateries. There is no dress code in place.
Course Enclosure – from £7
The most informal and affordable enclosure which is located on the inside of the track with views of the finish line. There is limited cover and access to the bar and food outlets. Picnics are welcome as is alcohol for personal consumption, but BBQs are not permitted. There is a FREE car park for customers going into All enclosures but if you wish to take your car into the Course Enclosure there is a charge. Accompanied under 18’s are admitted free and there are concession discounts in the Paddock Enclosure when booked in advance. Discounts are available for parties of 11+ OAP’s, students and blue light holders.Cash is only accepted on the gate for the Course Enclosure but card machines are available for the Club and Paddock Enclosure entrances.

The Racecourse Experience
Ripon offers numerous hospitality options and packages to suit all tastes:

Private boxes are available or alternatively the Dine & View package offers an inclusive hospitality package in a shared facility. Enjoy an a la carte menu in the Club Restaurant, with an option for afternoon tea. Booking is recommended as the restaurant can get booked up well in advance.

Ripon offers numerous packages to suit all tastes:

Silks and Saddles Package;
A club stand badge
A hot and cold meat and seafood buffet style meal
Glass of champagne
Choice of desserts
Racecard voucher
Club Package;
Club stand badge
Glass of house wine, pint of house beer, tea, coffee or hot chocolate
Hot meal of your choice from the Fountains Café, Fish & Chip shop or the chef’s menu
Racecard voucher
Paddock package;
Paddock enclosure admission
Glass of house wine, pint of house beer, tea, coffee or hot chocolate
Hot meal of your choice from the Fountains Café, Fish & Chip shop or the chef’s menu
Racecard voucher
Picnic & Prosecco Package – Ladies’ Day only;
Club or paddock enclosure admission
Mini bottle of prosecco
Choice of picnic
Strawberries and cream
Racecard voucher

Plan Your Day
There is a shuttle bus from the coach park opposite Ripon bus staiont which goes directly to the racecourse, beginning 90 minutes beofre the first race and returning for 45 minutes after racing.

Car parking is free for all enclosures

Cash only is accepted on the gate for the Course Enclosure, with a card machine available at the Club and Paddock Enclosure entrances.

Dogs are not allowed in any enclosure.

Although racing on the present site began on 6 August 1900, there have been several courses in the Ripon area, with the sport having been recorded taking place on Bondgate Green in 1664. Ripon staged Britain’s first race for lady riders in 1723 and was the first course in the land to have a children’s playground (there are now two) and host the first-ever Children’s Day meeting which continues to this day in August.

Several of Ripon’s race titles reflect the rich local history of the city – the Horn Blower Stakes, the Bell-Ringer Stakes and the Ripon Rowels Stakes, while the feature race of the season, the Great St. Wilfrid Handicap Stakes in August is named after the Patron Saint of Ripon. The Gold Trophy presented for the Ripon Champion Two-Year-Old Trophy was given to the racecourse by Jim Joel, one of the leading owner/breeders of the 20th Century, whose colours were carried to victory in many big races, including the Derby and Grand National.