FESTIVAL FUN for all the family comes to Thirsk this Friday (July 27) when the racecourse plays host to the annual Go Racing In Yorkshire Summer Festival, supported by Sky Bet.

As well as a cracking seven race card featuring the JW 4×4 Northallerton Nursery Handicap, there will be plenty of activities going on around the course to delight all the family.

Racing Welfare, the charity that looks out for many of the unsung heroes of racing like the stable and stud workers who devote their lives to caring for racehorses, will be offering racegoers the chance to test their skills as a jockey.

The official charity of the Festival this year, Racing Welfare are bringing along their equiciser with competitions for the skilled – like the professional jockeys – and the not so skilled. So if you fancy yourself as a budding Ryan Moore then go along and find out!

This being the Festival, there will be a guest appearance from the official mascot Festival Freddie, who will be touring the course handing out sweets and goodies to racegoers, while there is a chance to have yourself snapped with him and collect your photograph for free on the Go Racing In Yorkshire Facebook page.

Thrills are guaranteed with the great action on the track with plenty of fun for all the family off it and, as always, adult accompanied children under 18 get in free.

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. For more information go to www.thirskracecourse.net.

The gates open at 11.30am ahead of the first race at 2pm.