GRiY Blog

When people think of Go Racing In Yorkshire today, they think of the Summer Festival, the season ticket, collaborative marketing campaigns and a united voice for one of Britain’s strongest racing regions. But in 1976, none of that existed. Instead, Yorkshire’s racecourses largely worked independently, marketing budgets were tiny, and the very concept of racecourse […]

As 2025 began, it was finally time to start searching for the two dresses I would wear to this year’s Ladies’ Days. I spent countless hours browsing websites, with most of my time dedicated to searching through AliExpress. I knew I didn’t want a dress from the high street, as there was always the possibility […]

On Tuesday 2nd June, we’ll be bringing something really special to Pontefract Racecourse. The Yorkshire Children’s Charity Race Day isn’t just another date in the calendar, it’s a day that feels incredibly personal to me.   I’ve been part of Yorkshire Children’s Charity since it was founded, and I officially joined the team as Charity Development Manager last September. Alongside that, racing has always been a […]

Since his return from America at the start of the year, Mason has been ticking over on the all-weather, carefully preserving his 5lb claim for the return of the flat season. “I enjoyed America and learned a lot.  It’s very different riding abroad, everything is done to the clock and riding furlongs in a certain […]

“They’re all keen and all have their own quirk” Replied Kaine with a smile, when asked if there were any similarities between them, then continued, “But they all love their job.” The four brothers, trained by the pair range in age, from a Pearl Secret two-year-old, up to the seven-year-old Ey Up Its the Boss, […]

Not from a racing family, Mason was first introduced to horses at a friend’s birthday party, which had a pony theme.  From there, Mason’s parents took him to a riding school, near their home in South Wales and he never looked back. After showing enough interest and commitment, his parents bought him his first pony […]

The yard pet can be something quite different.  He might be the one everyone learns to ride on, or the one that greets every visitor to the yard like a long-lost friend.  He might not always be the most straight forward, but they somehow worm their way into everyone’s affections. They also probably run often […]

Racing has the answer!  There is a growing trend for young people to be gifted an experience, rather than something material – well you don’t have to look to far to find the solution in Yorkshire.  All of our nine racecourses offer gift vouchers of varying types.  All of these can be purchased on the […]

Wetherby’s next race meeting on Wednesday, November 26, is their now annual community raceday.  As with all good ideas, it started small and has grown significantly, supporting different local communities, who when you drill down into it, have a common theme. In addition to regular racegoers, Wetherby will be welcoming Wetherby in Support of the […]

I thought it would be a suitable location as we were handy for his ‘work-room’ and we were slightly tucked away for a bit of privacy.  No such luck!  William is clearly well known and well liked amongst racegoers.  Early into our chat, one gentleman approached William and declared he was his biggest fan – […]

The act of bell ringing is so important to one Yorkshire racecourse, it has a race named after it.  On Saturday, July 19 and day two of the Go Racing In Yorkshire Summer Festival, sponsored by Sky Bet, you can watch the ‘Ripon Bell-Ringer Handicap Stakes’. Ripon still has a very practical use for their […]

A slightly less conventional way, but equally as valid, is the charity race.  The 54th Macmillan charity raceday takes place at York on Saturday, June 14th and this year sees the 11th running of the ‘Ride Of Their Lives’ charity race, where riders not only pledge to raise a minimum £4,000 in sponsorship, they commit […]

This year, it has expanded from a day, to a week, allowing more flexibility for racing’s organisations to get involved with volunteering work in their local area. The shift to a week was a great benefit to the Yorkshire courses – it meant I could find a day in the week that was as far […]

“It’s not about the taking part, it’s about winning.” But the racing Gods really tried to test us.  First up, the timings had to be changed and now the mascot race was going to take place between the first and second races – we would have to be really unlucky if Joanna was riding before […]

This was the opening remark of Go Racing In Yorkshire’s sponsored jockey, William Pyle, as we sat down for a chat at Thirsk. “I’m not complaining, we’re getting into the thick of the turf season and fortunately I’ve been busy.  So far so good.” So where are all the miles coming from?  While William is […]

The yards have been on it over the winter months to get their charges racecourse ready and with it comes a sigh of relief as their hooves touch the grass, knowing that the hard work is over and now the fun begins. And it’s 100 days until our fun really begins with the Go Racing […]

The Mascot Gold Cup is big fundraiser for the charity Sue Ryder, a national healthcare charity, with two hospices in West Yorkshire.  It forms the centrepiece of family day action at Wetherby racecourse.  We caught up with Lindsey McManus and Andrew Wood, who both work for the charity, to find out a bit more. Andrew […]

Mexborough’s Constant Security is looking to add to its events team for the busy and exciting season ahead. If you’re friendly, proactive and well presented, then this could be a fantastic opportunity for you. You could help the team create a safe, enjoyable and first-class experience for visiting members of the public at some of […]

With the flat season getting into full swing by the time we hit Easter weekend, the one dead cert you can be sure of, is a fun day out, that offers great value for money. School holidays often present logistical issues for parents, constantly on the search for activities that offer a full day of […]

Run over a distance of about three miles, six furlongs, jockeys need to be able to count as the epic race takes in two and a half circuits of the track, crossing the finish line 3 times and there are 24 fences to successfully navigate. The North Yorkshire Grand National is a relatively new race, […]

The Go Racing In Yorkshire Summer Festival, sponsored by Sky Bet, at the end of July was a great week.  Overall, attendances were up, with more than 80,000 racegoers visiting the 10 meetings. and we were blessed with sunshine throughout.  We witnessed some exciting racing, brilliant bands and a battle for the leading trainer of the […]

I’ll be honest, I didn’t share their excitement.  In fact, my heart sunk a little.  The Summer holidays means six weeks of organising activities to keep them entertained so I can work.  I made the mistake one year of booking them into clubs every single day and by the end of it, they were nearly […]

The excitement is building, the preparation continues daily and I am having the time of my life – I don’t want it to end! Collectively we’ve raised over £150,000 at the time of writing for Macmillan and I know there’s more to add.  It really is a huge amount.  Personally, I have been humbled by […]

Get into the sporting theme on Bank Holiday Monday at Redcar Racecourse, as they host the Zetland Gold Cup Family Day.  As well as seven scheduled races, there’s FREE entertainment for the children, with bouncy castles, face painters and entertainers. A group of riders taking part in the Macmillan Charity Race at York next month […]

The towns of Malton and Norton have a long-standing connection with horses and racing and the industry provides employment for many and is a major contributor to the local economy.  It was therefore an ideal opportunity to connect with the community in a different way. Go Racing In Yorkshire organised for volunteers to spend the […]

I live in Warwickshire and work for Avonvale Equine Vets Monday to Friday and work for Horsequest at the weekends. I have two working springer spaniels who keep me on my toes and an ex racehorse called ‘Fagan’ who really keeps me on my toes, although retired from racing he is as fresh and fit […]

After weeks of hard graft by Redcar’s track manager and his team of seven full-time ground staff, the 2024 season was finally poised to get underway at the seaside course where horse racing has been staged for more than 150 years. But then the heavens opened. Between 6am and 6.50am, six millimetres of rain fell […]

It was the brainchild of the then Chairman of Go Racing In Yorkshire, Simon Channon, who noticed that there was a week when all of Yorkshire’s flat courses raced.  He decided this was the perfect opportunity to showcase the variety of courses and types of racing in Yorkshire and hence the Summer Festival was born. […]

Welcome to my world as the oldest lady and menopausal, brain fog, female in the group of slightly bonkers gang of 12 (this year’s Jockeys in the race). Based in Leicestershire, the home of the famous Quorn Hunt, I began my riding life as a young excitable 8-year-old. My family used to go riding at […]

Holly high fives champion jockey Brian Hughes at Catterick As the Easter holidays approach, the inevitable question of “where can we go with the children?” can be heard from parents and carers across the country.  Phrases like “family day out” or “things to do with the kids” will be filling the search engines as calendars […]

Magical Max at Newcastle Elle-May rode in six of the 10 races that took place in the series, which is supported by Malton based White Rose Saddlery, winning at Ripon in April and scoring points in all the others.  Unfortunately, she took a fall on the way to the start at Wetherby and the horse […]

“Well your riding a sprinter over three furlongs, so probably slightly quicker than you will want to be going in your race” she replied. Oh good, I thought.  Three times we had gone up the hill, each time Mambo was working slightly harder and I was loving it!  Most importantly, I wasn’t frightened by the […]

Although he was born and brought up in the Irish racing county of Kildare, the 19 year old Nurney native wasn’t from a horsey family and didn’t sit on a horse until he was 13.  His older brother Kevin, was already forging a career as a jump jockey and Ryan decided that he wanted to […]

See how Ryan won the 2022 Future Stars Apprentice Championship, supported by White Rose Saddlery.  In total he had four wins, from eight rides in the series and amassed an amazing 75 points.

The Ryan yard share the load so all the staff work the mornings and the afternoon’s are covered by half of the staff on a weekly basis.  Oisin works this around racing so if he hasn’t got a ride in the afternoon, or it’s an evening meeting, he’ll work his afternoon feed shift during his […]

“He’s been good to me, I’ve won on him before and he loves the big handicaps.  Obviously my claim helps in these races and I can’t wait to walk the course and ride at the famous Sussex track.” While there’s a lot to look forward to Oisin is a bit quieter than he would like […]

In addition to this, the young apprentice had his first ride at Royal Ascot and made sure that he savoured the experience. Arriving early, Oisin didn’t have any traffic problems getting in and took the opportunity to take in the occasion.  He said how enjoyable it was and commented, “Being in the parade ring was […]

“I keep hitting the cross bar,” said Oisin, highlighting two frustrating, recent seconds at Doncaster. “I don’t mind too much about Gabriella’s Spirit, we were beaten by the 1/12 favourite who won very easily, but I was sick about Majestic Fighter, the race was going nicely to plan but we were beaten a short head […]

Oisin had rides in both divisions of the Go Racing In Yorkshire Future Stars apprentice series, supported by White Rose Saddlery, which he won last year.  He was booked to ride Carter Cowboy for Richard Fahey, a trainer he regularly rides out for and got a late call up to ride the Rebecca Menzies trained […]

After spending Christmas at home in Ireland with the family, Oisin is rested and ready to hit the turf running. Having ridden 23 winners last season, his debut season in the UK, the 20-year-old has had a quieter winter, in order to preserve his claim for the busy turf season.  However, his agent, Niall Hannity […]

Racing was not the dream until some of his friends pursued the jockey career path and he thought, “this looks fun!” So how was a 16-year-old, with no riding or equine experience going to make this happen? Oisin strikes you as the person that will make things happen and isn’t afraid of hard work to […]

According to Jackie and her sister Bernie, dresses are always a first choice for the racing calendar and it would seem anything goes!  Prints, florals, block colour or classic monochrome.  Hem lengths can be mini to midi but they would never advise long – this is more suited to summer weddings, garden parties and the […]

At LoveVintageDiamonds, we say ‘a Woman without diamonds is like heaven without stars’, but we would not be politically correct to exclude men from this scenario and nor should we. Many gentlemen enjoy diamonds, not to mention jewellery, to a greater extent than is credited. Those gentlemen who appreciate the virtues of a high-quality and […]

Mount Pleasant Hotel has always moved with the times, without losing touch with the finest traditions of a country hotel, which has been owned and managed by the same family since 1938. It provides the perfect setting for welcoming guests before and after they attend the races in Doncaster which is only a short distance […]

Paddy Aspell had grown up around horses and having completed his compulsory schooling, was determined that he was not going back to the classroom, so his father agreed that he could leave school, provided that he got in job in England. “I was a bit of a boy in my teenage years and Dad knew […]

Name: Adrian Nicholls Training Location: Sessay, Thirsk  Single/dual license: Flat How long have you held a license: 3 years Training Facilities:   Paddocks, Lunge Area, 1.5 furlong canter ring Number of horses in training/capacity: 20 What is your background/introduction to racing: I was a successful jockey when my dad Dandy was a leading trainer. My wife […]

Name: Grant Tuer Training Location: Birkby, Northallerton Single/dual licence: Flat How long have you held a licence: 4 Years Training facilities/team: Partner/Assistant Kath, 5 staff, 6f straight sand gallop, 3.5f fibre sand round gallop, walker, lunge ring, lots of grass turnout. Number of horses in training/capacity:  Previously 19 but just completed a new 20 box […]

Name:   Mark Johnston Training Location: Kingsley Park, Middleham  Single/dual license? Dual How long have you held a license? Since 1987 Training Facilities, including how many in the team: 125 – 145 staff. Train on private facilities at Kingsley Park. 10f Tapeta all-weather, further 4f wide (stalls) all-weather. 10 furlongs of grass gallops. 2 Swimming pools. […]

Name: Mr Karl Burke Training Location: Middleham, North York’s  Single/dual license:  Dual – mostly flat How long have you held a licence:  Since 1992 Training Facilities, including how many in the team 130 Stables, 6 horse walkers, 5 lunge rings, covered ride, outdoor hacking / trotting ring. All facilities can be viewed on www.karlburke.co.uk Number […]

Name: Ruth Jefferson Training Location: Newstead Stables in Norton, North Yorkshire  Single/dual license? Dual How long have you held a license? Just over 2 years  Training Facilities, including how many in the team: 48 boxes, a TheraPlate, Halo-Therapy (Salt room) Nebulisers, Ultrasound machine to treat muscle injuries. Turn out paddocks, horse walker and use of […]

Name: James Bethell   Training Location Middleham Single/dual license? Dual license How long have you held a license? 40 years Training Facilities, including how many in the team Polytrack gallop 7F 1m 4F Carpet gallop Extensive grass gallops Number of horses in training/capacity 35 What is your background/introduction to racing? Started in racing at 16 […]

Name: Karen Tutty   Training Location: Osmotherley, Northallerton Single/dual license?: Flat Licence How long have you held a license? Since 2011 Training Facilities, including how many in the team: Two members of staff, professional flat jockey/assistant trainer my daughter – Gemma Tutty. Also, Charlotte Revell who has her own point to pointer which she rides […]

Name   Andy Crook   Training Location: Ashgill Stables, Middleham Dual Purpose licence Training facilities: Middleham gallops High Moor: A 12 furlong carpet gallop and grass gallop plus a five furlong grass gallop. Low Moor: Three furlong all weather gallop which once a week gets brush hurdles put on and roll on starting stalls; a seven […]

Name: Ann Duffield    Training Location Leyburn North Yorkshire  Single/dual license? Dual but I rarely have a jumper!  If single flat/jump? How long have you held a license? – 20years Training Facilities, including how many in the team We have a brilliant Up hill all weather (woodchip) gallop, grass uphill gallops, fibresand round canter, Water […]

Name: Ruth Carr   Training Location;  Stillington, 10 miles north of York Single/dual license? Dual but a long time since I had a NH runner How long have you held a license? 12 years Training Facilities, including how many in the team; 6f circular carpet gallop Multiple loose exercise facilities including our unique “two at […]

Name: Bryan Smart Training Location: Hambleton, North Yorkshire Single/dual license? Duel, but have no jumpers at present How long have you held a license? 30 years Training Facilities: Own all weather and grass gallops Trotting ring Indoor and outdoor schools Two horse walkers Jacuzzi spa Infra-red heat lamps Vet box Physiotherapist on site 11 full […]

On 13th June 2020, I will be undertaking the daunting but exhilarating challenge of racing 1 mile and 1 furlong around York Racecourse in front of a 20,000+ crowd.  Riding at York Races will be a dream come true – many happy days have been spent on the Knavesmire and I have to pinch myself that […]

I worked Christmas Day and then spent the rest of the time with my girlfriend Keely, celebrating and relaxing.  It was quiet in terms of runners over the Christmas period and as we hit January the stables started to fill up.  Lots of old favourites and new recruits made their way to Spring Cottage Stables […]

Well the driving test is booked and hopefully I’ll be able to make my own way to the races after Christmas – I owe a lot of people lifts and they will be looking to cash in! In general, I do prefer travelling with other people, it’s at least a couple of hours from my […]

I can’t believe that I’ve done it for the second year in a row!  Winning back-to-back series of the Go Racing In Yorkshire Future Stars Apprentice Series is something that has never done before.  It’s a big achievement that I’m very happy with, as it has been a bit of a mixed season for me. […]

Well it’s always one of the dangers of the job but you put it to the back of your mind.  Then when it happens, you remember that it is part of the job and you have to deal with it. I had a fall at Nottingham on Thursday 1st August.  It wasn’t even during a […]

It’s been a while since my last update.  The amount of racing over the summer months is quite relentless and I have been all over the county and country in search of rides and winners. I’m currently without a car which means that if I can’t get a lift with one of the other jockeys […]

My sponsorship with Go Racing in Yorkshire seems to be involving me in a few things, not just riding the horses! Earlier this month (May) I went to help the team with a litter pick around Langton Wold Gallops in Malton. This was part of Racing Together’s Community Engagement Day, which provides racing with an […]

With the flat season now in full swing, Go Racing in Yorkshire’s sponsored apprentice Kieran Schofield gives us an insight into his racing world. I’m getting very busy with racing now, although my ride on Tonquin Valley at Beverley’s opening meeting didn’t last too long.  He veered erratically left on leaving the stalls and we […]

Go Racing in Yorkshire’s sponsored apprentice, Kieran Schofield, updates us with life on the yard. Although I’ve been ticking over on the all weather, the start of the turf season is fast approaching which I’m really looking forward to. We were all gutted to see Definitly Red brought down in the Gold Cup at Cheltenham […]

The winner of the 2018 Future Stars Apprentice Series, organised by Go Racing in Yorkshire was 25-year-old Kieran Schofield. Finishing eight points clear of his nearest rival, Kieran earned 53 points and a prize of a saddle from White Rose Saddlery, plus sponsorship for 2019 from Go Racing in Yorkshire. Initially, it wasn’t racing that […]