The two-day Thirsk Summer Cup meeting this Friday and Saturday (August 1 & 2) features the third running of The totepool 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’s one of the highlights of the season at Thirsk. Lord Aeryn, trained at Malton by Richard Fahey won the inaugural race two years ago, while last year’s race went to Norse Blues, trained near the racecourse by David Barron. 

Racing on Saturday is scheduled to begin at 1-55 p.m. with a contest for maiden two-year-olds supported by The European Breeders’ Fund, while The Peter Bell Memorial Handicap Stakes is held over seven furlongs – a £15,000 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 Nursery Handicap Stakes, a £15,000 contest over five furlongs, while The Jayne & Joe Parker’s Birthday Celebration Handicap Stakes is held over one mile and a half.

 The action on Friday is set to get underway at 1-45 p.m. with a Nursery Handicap for two-year-old fillies supported by renowned Yorkshire-based sculptor Emma Stothard, who has piece of her work permanently in the Parade Ring.

 A £15,000 Conditions race over seven furlongs supported by The European Breeders’ Fund is Friday’s main race, while The Market Cross Jewellers Handicap Stakes over one mile for three-year-olds, The Tomrods Steel Handicap Stakes (a race for stayers over two miles) and The Yorkshire Outdoors Maiden Stakes are also featured. 

The concluding race on Friday is Round Six 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, Megan Carberry leads the way with 45 points, followed by Joe Doyle and Claire Murray who have both accumulated 24 points. 

Musical entertainment on Friday is provided by ‘Frankly Jazz’, while ‘Murphy’s Marbles’ 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.