PONTEFRACT LAUNCHES THEIR 2023 RACING SEASON
The 2023 racing season gets underway at Pontefract on Easter Tuesday 11th April.
As people up and down the country struggle with inflation and rising costs, Pontefract Racecourse announced at their ‘Welcome to 2023’ Lunch on Thursday 2nd March that they will be implementing a new price structure which will see a reduction in admission costs at 10 of the 16 race meetings in 2023.
The West Yorkshire venue relies on the support of its local communities for attendance and wanted to do its bit to ease the costs for those who attend. As a result, the Racecourse has also slashed prices for those who book in advance, offering great discounts on all their race meetings.
Chief Operating Officer, Richard Hammill, said:
‘We are acutely aware of the pressure on the leisure pound and want to help racegoers where we can – specifically on the price of admission. We started by opening the annual early bird booking scheme on 1st December with prices for all enclosures on every day discounted. Discounts continue on the countdown to the new season.’
In keeping with their Yorkshire values, the Racecourse have also introduced a special new recession busting package as a direct response to the cost of living crisis.
‘We also wanted to be able to offer our Ponte racegoers some proper savings so that even the most careful of Yorkshire folk can see some real value. For all our racedays (other than the Music Nights and Ladies Day) we are introducing ‘The True Yorkshireman’ package. Racegoers will be able to get entry to the Grandstand & Paddock Enclosure, a pint of lager/bitter or a glass of wine and a pie – all for £15.’
The package is only available up to one month before each race meeting but offers a discount of almost 50% on ‘on the day’ prices.
As part of their 2023 Raceday entertainment, Pontefract will once again have two Friday Night music nights. They will welcome pop Legend ‘Kim Wilde’ to perform at their Music Night race meeting on Friday Eve 26th May while Dreams of Fleetwood Mac will be on stage on the 21st July when there’ll also be a local beer festival. The other evening race meeting (Monday 12th June) sees the inaugural ‘Racing For Everyone’ race night where the course will extend a warm welcome to those thinking of trying racing for the first time. There’ll be an orientation tour before the gates open so those with specific accessibility needs can check out the improvements to the courses facilities before the general public arrive. There’ll also be an autism friendly, sensory space as well as quiet areas for those who may want a little more space.
The popular Family Sundays return with the Sky Bet Sunday Series on 25th June. There’s more music for Tribute Bands family day on 30th July, before the Into The Zone Raceday wraps up the Sundays for the season on 20th August.
Not forgetting Ladies Day (on 9th August) when, once again, RIU Hotels and Resorts will be providing a long haul flight and all inclusive break to the best dressed lady. This year, the lucky winner will be heading to Dubai.
For more information please view the course’s website at www.pontefract-races.co.uk or call The Administration Offices on 01977 781307.