The two-day Thirsk Summer Cup meeting this Friday and Saturday (August 2 & 3) features the second running of The totepool.com Thirsk Summer Cup on Saturday. This £30,000 handicap contest over one mile is sure to attract plenty of runners, making for a competitive race. It represents one of the most valuable races staged at Thirsk. Lord Aeryn, trained at Malton by Richard Fahey won last year’s inaugural race.
Racing on Saturday is scheduled to begin at 1-55 p.m. and sprinters have their opportunity in The Peter Bell Memorial Handicap Stakes over six furlongs – a race which commemorates the late Peter Bell, who was a director of the racecourse for many years. His son, Jonny, is on the board of directors.
Two-year-olds take part in The Constant Security Nursery Handicap Stakes, a £10,000 contest over five furlongs, while The European Breeders’ Fund support a new addition to this Saturday programme, a £15,000 Conditions race over seven furlongs.
The Shirley Anne Faill Memorial Fillies’ Handicap Stakes and The Yorkshire Outdoors Adventure Experiences Maiden Selling Stakes (for three-year-olds) are both contested over one mile and a half.
The action on Friday is set to get underway at 2-20 p.m. and a couple of races are supported by Weatherbys – a famous organisation in racing which provides a range of services for the industry. Two-year-old fillies take part in a Nursery Handicap over five furlongs and maidens have their opportunity in a contest over one mile.
The Market Cross Jewellers Handicap Stakes over seven furlongs is also featured, along with Round Six of a new series for young riders this season – The Go Racing In Yorkshire Future Stars Apprentice Series – held on the eight Yorkshire courses which stage Flat racing and culminating in a Final at Doncaster in November. Friday’s race is a Handicap contest for sprinters over six furlongs. After the first five legs of the series, Gary Mahon leads the way with 24 points, followed by Jacob Butterfield on 21 points, Charles Bishop and Matthew Hopkins (both 18 points).
Musical entertainment on Friday is provided by The Paradise Steel Band while ‘Frankly Jazz’ will entertain racegoers on Saturday.
There’s a selection of attractions for children in the Family Ring on both days, while the giant screen, situated opposite the stands, will enable racegoers to follow even more of the action on the track.