Ripon Archives | Go Racing

Remarkably Mr Wells’ Great Great Grandfather, William Wells was inaugural Chairman of Ripon Race Company Ltd at inception in 1899, when the racecourse moved to its current site. Andrew follows in his footsteps as well as those of his Great Grandfather, Arthur Wells, who was also Chairman of the Racecourse at the time of WWI.

“What a great honour it was to be asked to become Chairman of RRC 125 years since my Great Great Grandfather William Wells was the founding Chairman” said Mr Wells.

“It makes me immensely proud to think that I could be standing where he had stood to watch the first winner come over the finish line back in 1899, although I am not sure what he would have made of Media rights and affordability checks!

“Along with my fellow board members we will work together to maintain and develop the race company as it steers it’s way through the current challenges facing British racing.”

To celebrate the 125^th Anniversary racegoers have the opportunity to attend two meetings, Saturday 27^th April and Friday 10^th May, for the price of one. Anybody with a pre-booked ticket for the Saturday meeting will be given a completely free ticket for the meeting on Friday evening two weeks later.

Another interesting change is the new Sunday fixture on 11^th August which will be ‘Family Olympics Day’ to coincide with the Olympic closing ceremony. With lots of free family entertainment and medals up for grabs.

The Racecourse has invested heavily in futureproofing with a large-scale extension to the Weighing Room and the facilities within as well as improving wash down and veterinary facilities in the stable yard.

Managing Director James Hutchinson said:

“Work began on our Weighing Room project immediately after the end of our 2023 season and we’re delighted to have upgraded it but without losing the character of the original Weighing Room, which was constructed in the 1930’s. A lot has changed in racing since then!

“The upgrades we’ve made are intended to bring facilities up to date and futureproof the racecourse for years to come and we’re already looking at additional projects for the next close season, when we intend to make improvements to the stable staff hostel.”

Starting at the opening meeting on Thursday 20^th April and running across all 17 fixtures until the season finale on Saturday 30^th September four points will be awarded for each race winner, three points for second, two points for third and one point for fourth with five points and a £50 cash prize awarded to each Best Turned Out winner.

The £5000 first prize for 2022 went to Tim Easterby’s yard, who had an incredible 22 winners over 17 fixtures. £2000 went to Mark Johnston’s team with £1000 going to Ben Haslam’s stable.

Jonathan Mullin, Operations, Marketing + Clerk of the Course at Ripon Racecourse said:

“The Stables Championship was very well received last year and it was fantastic that the initiative was recognised with a Showcase Award. It’s crucial that we recognise the hard work that stable staff do and we reward that by offering a decent prize over the course of the season, in addition to the £50 cash prize we give to the Best Turned Out winner of each race.

“It’s great to team up with our friends at Titanium Racing on the project and it’s going be fascinating to see if anyone can challenge last year’s runaway winners, Team Tim Easterby”.

Megan O’Brien, Racing Manager of Titanium Racing said:

“Stable Staff are an integral part of the sport. It is no easy job and they put so much effort into their roles, the horses are given the best care and they treat them as their own. It really is special to see the relationships formed between horses and grooms, the dedication is greatly appreciated and we’re delighted to show our appreciation by sponsoring the Stables Championship.

“It was a great initiative starting last year as shown by Ripon winning the RCA Showcase award and hopefully it continues for a long time”.

Starting at the opening meeting on Thursday 20^th April and running across all 17 fixtures until the season finale on Saturday 30^th September, each race winner will accrue three points, with two points for a second-place finish and one point for third. The horse that accumulates the most points across the season will be crowned the champion and will bag the £5,000 prize.

There will be additional points on offer in the feature race of the season at Yorkshire’s Garden Racecourse, the William Hill Great St Wilfrid, with five points to the winner, three for second and two for third.

Jonathan Mullin, Operations, Marketing & Clerk of the Course at Ripon Racecourse said: “We recognise how hugely important owners are to the sport and here at Yorkshire’s Garden Racecourse we have a lot of horses and owners who return to us regularly.

“It’s always fantastic to see the old favourites return and the nature of this competition with points for first, second and third, favours horses that run here more often. Hopefully we can reward one of those regulars by crowning them ‘William Hill Ripon Champion’ at the end of the season.

“It’s great to be able to partner with William Hill, long term sponsors here with this innovative new project and now we’re really looking forward to getting the season started and seeing the League table begin to take shape.”

Ruairi Stirling, Racing Sponsorship Manager at William Hill said: “The relationship between Ripon and William Hill goes back many years and this another sign that shows it’s as healthy as ever.

“We’re really keen to award the horses that run well at Ripon repeatedly and hopefully this new incentive will encourage owners and trainers to consider running there throughout the season.”

Nine horses were declared to face the starter and there was no shortage of excitement as we were treated to an exciting battle between the two horses at the top of the handicap.

Sean Kirrane fresh from a successful winter riding in Dubai set the early fractions on Challet who certainly knows his way around this North Yorkshire venue. The pair looked a sitting target for the Ryan Sexton partnered Empirestateofmind as the blinkered favourite arrived upsides travelling ever so well, but the John Quinn trained 4yr old didn’t put the race to bed leaving the pair to duel out the finish.

Just three quarters of a length separated the duo at the line with Sexton coming out on top completing a double on the afternoon.

Having secured two points in the opening round at Doncaster, this win fired the Adrian Keatley based apprentice to an early lead in the series also moving him to 13 winners in total.

Pontefract plays host to round three later this month on Wednesday 27th April.

St Wilfrid, who was born in 634, was a Northumbrian noble who devoted himself to a religious life after studying on Holy Island, Canterbury, France and finally Rome.

He founded a monastery in Ripon around 660 and became Archbishop of Northumbria in 668 while he travelled the country founding monasteries and spreading the Christian message. It was on his travels that he died in Oundle, Northamptonshire around 710, but he remains closely linked with Ripon and is the city’s patron saint.

Today, the race in his name is one of the most competitive sprint handicaps in the racing calendar, but it was not always so.

When it was first run in 1839, two years after the current racecourse opened, it was titled the St Wilfrid Gold Cup, a conditions race over two miles. The winner was the five-year-old Fieschi, owned by Mr H. Wormald.

Small fields plagued the next three runnings, which included a walk over for Jack Shepherd in 1841 and as a result, the race became a two miles handicap in 1843.

The first winner was Hippona, who carried 6st 2lbs. The filly was owned by Mr R. Harrison, who had bred her not too far from Ripon at Studley Park. Hippona was later sold to race in Russia, where she was very successful and went through her career there unbeaten.

After initial success as a handicap, support began to wane again and by 1862, The Field despondently reported: “The Great St Wilfrid Handicap was once the chief attraction of the meeting, but on the present occasion dwindled down to eleven subscribers of which seven were content to stand their ground”.

In 1865, to try and revive interest, the distance was reduced to 14 furlongs and after three years was reduced again becoming a handicap over a mile and a half in 1868, a move which produced mixed results. After only six horses lined up for the 1878 race, the distance was reduced again to 10 furlongs.

The race did not become a six-furlong sprint until 1956 when it was won by the 7-1 chance Prairie Emblem, trained at Malton by William Dutton for owner Mr F. White and ridden by the previous season’s champion apprentice Peter Robinson.

One man who did not worry about the distance was the great Northern jockey John Osborne, who rode in his first race at Radcliffe, Lancashire in 1846 at the age of 13 and in his last in 1892 at the age of 59 and who is the last jockey to have ridden a Northern-trained Derby winner at Epsom.

Known as ‘the Bank of England jockey’ because of his reliability and integrity, Osborne loved the Great St Wilfrid Handicap which he first won on Ada Murray in 1849 when he was 16 years old. By the time he was 18, he had completed three wins in a row with Lady Eden (1850) and Mrs Birch (1851), the latter named after the lady who lived at Glasgow House in Middleham.

Surprisingly, he rode only one other winner, Pretty John in 1869, notable for the fact that Osborne walked to the racecourse from his Middleham home – a distance of 21 miles – at a brisk enough pace to lose 5lbs so that he could do the 8st 7lbs on Pretty John.

As well as being a top jockey, Osborne also owned and trained horses, at first with his brothers Thomas and William, but latterly on his own account.

He owned four Great St Wilfrid winners, Dart (1866), an unnamed filly who ran as ‘sister to Little Agnes’ (1868), Confusion (1882) and Languid (1895) all of which he trained with his brothers, while he also trained another unnamed winner, the Memoria filly who won the 1910 race in the colours of Mr W.Cliff.

Osborne is credited with being the first man to both ride and train a winner of the Great St Wilfrid although others have achieved the feat including well-known names like Harry Wragg and Doug Smith.

Another to achieve that feat was Bob Colling, who rode Newcourt to win in 1891 and Linny to win for the Osbornes in 1894 and then trained Lovetin, who has the distinction of winning the only wartime running of the race in 1941.

Although seven horses have won back-to-back runnings of the Great St Wilfrid, Desmond (1860-61), Star And Garter (1870-71), Lady Mary (1974-75), Pampas Grass (1886-87), Jacksdale (1920-21), Whitebrigg (1954-55) and Pepper Lane (2011-12), none has managed three in a row.

Jackside might have done, but for some reason the 1919 race, the first after a four-year break for the First World War, was run over a mile, an inadequate trip for the horse. So, instead, Jackside ran in and won the 10-furlong Ripon City Welter Handicap earlier in the day, before taking the next two Great St Wilfrids when it was returned to 12 furlongs.

William I’Anson is the most successful trainer in the race with five winners between 1881 and 1902 followed by John Osborne, four winners between 1866 and 1910 and John Drislane, whose four winners came in eight runnings from 1883 to 1890.

Leading the way among current trainers are Michael Easterby and David O’Meara with three winners each.

The most successful jockey in the Great St Wilfrid is James Fagan, who rode six winners between 1875 and 1893, followed by John Osborne and Billy Nevett with four each. Tom Bruckshaw and Charles Ringstead both had three winners, the same as Danny Tudhope, the most successful of current jockeys. Alex Greaves, who won on Premier Touch in 1991, is the only female jockey to have won the race,

It has been an action-packed 2019 at Yorkshire’s Garden Racecourse and with 16 fixtures already completed, all that remains is to end the year in style with the Beer and BBQ Festival meeting, in conjunction with Theakston Brewery, on Saturday 28th September.

The action on the track is sure to be highly competitive, with almost £80,000 in prize money up for grabs. The feature race of the day, the 6f ‘Ripon Cathedral City of the Dales Handicap’, is a fast and furious affair which attracts some of the best sprinters in the North.

At the Theakston’s Beer Festival, situated in the Paddock Enclosure, racegoers will be able to sample ten of Masham’s finest beers. There will also be a pop-up BBQ with live music on the bandstand from the Ripon City Band and on the Claro lawn from fantastic local artist Rob Hiscoe.

James Hutchinson, Managing Director of Ripon Racecourse said:

“The end of season Beer and BBQ Festival has become a real highlight of our season. The 2019 season has fairly flown by! We have had a fantastic summer and what better way to end than with a fun afternoon of great racing, BBQ and beer!

“We are delighted to be working with Theakston Brewery of Masham once more. It is brilliant that as local businesses we can support each other and together we hope to put on a fantastic afternoon for our racegoers”.

Victoria Bramley, Marketing Manager at Theakston Ltd said:

“It is great to be coming back to Ripon Races once more. The Beer Festival is a fantastic event which is becoming increasingly popular year on year and it is an excellent opportunity for us to showcase our products. Hopefully this year will be the best yet!”.

Due to the UCI World Championships some traffic disruption is possible. We recommend using the A1M and turning off at Junction 48 ‘Boroughbridge’ as no problems are expected on this route. Full details of road closures can be found here: https://www.northyorks.gov.uk/uci-road-world-cycling-championships

Ripon’s most iconic race, The William Hill Great St. Wilfrid Handicap Stakes takes pride of place on an excellent card next Saturday, August 17th. The ITV4 cameras will be present for the most valuable raceday of the season at Yorkshire’s ‘Garden Racecourse’, with total prize money of £150,000 up for grabs.

The famous six-furlong Handicap has now been sponsored by William Hill for 26 years, their longest standing sports sponsorship and with £75,000 prize money on offer the 2019 renewal is sure to be fiercely competitive. The meeting also includes the seventh running of The William Hill Silver Trophy Handicap, a £20,000 ‘consolation’ race for the horses balloted out of the William Hill Great St. Wilfrid.

William Hill Spokesperson, Rupert Adams said: “We are very proud sponsors of the Great St Wilfrid Handicap, which delivers for us on a yearly basis. Amazingly this is our 26^th year, by far the longest standing sponsorship in our portfolio and one we look forward to continuing with.”

The last nine winners of the historic contest have been trained in Yorkshire and with the likes of Tim Easterby, Richard Fahey and David O’Meara all likely to have multiple entries, who would bet against the trophy remaining in Yorkshire for a ninth consecutive year?

Last year’s contest was won by Gunmetal, trained locally in Maunby by David Barron and a bid to become only the second horse to win the race back-to-back is very much on the cards but Barron does have one eye on the skies.

His trainer David Barron said: “He’s in very good form, he’ll definitely be entered and the plan is to go and do exactly what he did last year. The potential problem would be soft ground. He prefers decent ground so we’re hoping there’s not too much rain in the next week”.

James Hutchinson, Managing Director and Clerk of the Course said:

“William Hill Great St Wilfrid day is always an occasion we really look forward to and we’re very proud to be William Hill’s longest standing sports sponsorship. For the past nine years the race has been won by Yorkshire-based trainers and Yorkshire looks likely to be very strongly represented once again”.

Racing on Saturday August 17^th starts with the first of seven races at 1:30pm with entry from 11.00am. Racegoers can gain entry from just £7 per person in the ever popular Course Enclosure with FREE entry for accompanied Under 18’s into all enclosures.

Saturday’s musical entertainment on the bandstand is provided by The Summerbridge and Dacre Band and there will be bouncy castles for children in the Course Enclosure

You can keep up to date with all the latest news and offers from the course on their social media pages, or by visiting their website.

Tickets can be pre-booked for discounts or adult admission is available on the gates from £7 per person in the Course Enclosure (or Car to Course £20 – up to 4 adults), £17 in the Paddock and £26 for the Club Enclosure.

Our second of three Sunday meetings takes place on 28^th July as we host our Lookalike Legends Family Day. After a hugely successful Flat Cap & Whippet Family Day in June, we are looking forward to another busy meeting and have even more going on for the crowds to get enjoy.

This meeting is also the last meeting of the Go Racing In Yorkshire Summer Festival 2019 and we have seven fantastic races to wrap it up. The Festival kicks off on Saturday 20^th July at Ripon with seven other Yorkshire Racecourses playing host to a further nine meetings over nine days.

Joining us on our Lookalike Legends day are three fantastic tribute acts who will be playing throughout the day. Classic Kylie (12.00-12.40), TotOlly Murs (12.50-13.30) will be performing prior to racing and the final act, Totally Take That (17.50-18.40), hit the stage after the conclusion of our final race.

As all of our family days, we will have a children’s funfair, free sweets, children’s racecards, pony rides, face painting, bus trips to the start of races and loads more for the kids to enjoy. If it’s a fun day out with the family you’re after, this is the place to be.

The feature on track is The Sky Bet Go-Racing-In-Yorkshire Summer Festival Pomfret Stakes and is our third listed race of the season, and was won last year by Big Country, who went on to run in Group races in Norway and Sweden. That victory was the second of four on the day for Silvestre De Sousa and trainer Michael Appleby. Champion jockey, De Sousa, has already enjoyed success at Ponte this season having ridden a treble here in June. Their first winner of last year’s meeting came in the way of Michele Strogoff who won well in our third race of the day.

The meeting kicks off with The British Stallion Studs EBF Maiden Stakes run over 5 furlongs and won last year by Richard Fahey’s Flawless Jewel who bolted up to win by an astonishing 16 lengths. Fahey was top trainer for last year’s Go Racing In Yorkshire Summer Festival and will certainly have his eye on retaining the prize this year.

The ITV7 Starts Now Handicap Stakes is our second race on the card and has been won by David Allan and Tim Easterby for the past two years, most recently with Multellie. The final race of the afternoon is The Fly High Faye Nickels Handicap Stakes and was won convincingly by Classic Pursuit to seal a four-timer for De Sousa. Following this race, the top trainer and jockey of the Go Racing In Yorkshire Summer Festival will be presented with a prize (unless this has been decided prior to Sunday 28^th). Join us for the finale of the Go Racing In Yorkshire Summer Festival on what promises to be a fun filled day! We are offering a family ticket for just £25 which admits 2 adults and their children (under 18) into the Grandstand & Paddock Enclosure. Head to www.pontefract-races.co.uk to secure your tickets now.

Ripon Racecourse is preparing to host the second ‘Visit Ripon’ Community Raceday on Monday 15^th July. Following the success of last year’s event, the day will see a number of local attractions, along with Welcome To Yorkshire, join forces at Yorkshire’s Garden Racecourse to showcase what they each have to offer and to collectively promote the City of Ripon as a destination.

Ripon Cathedral, Newby Hall & Gardens, Ripon Museums, Lightwater Valley and Fountains Abbey, which collectively attract over a million visitors to Ripon each year, will each sponsor a race on the day and will have trade stands set up on course where racegoers can obtain information and insight about their attractions and the City of Ripon.

Welcome To Yorkshire’s North Yorkshire Area Director David Shields said:

“It’s wonderful to see Yorkshire’s Garden Racecourse coming together with all the other local visitor attractions to celebrate and promote the area. Ripon is a perfect example of the huge variety of experiences we have on offer right across Yorkshire with so much to see and do there.

“From stunning countryside, heritage and culture and world beating food and drink to high octane activities and attractions and fast paced sport, Ripon has it all and a great day out is guaranteed”.

Linda Furniss, Market Development Manager at Ripon Museums, is also embracing the opportunity:

“Although many of the inmates of the workhouse and prison wouldn’t have had the opportunity for a day at the races, we are looking forward to the Ripon Museums Maiden Stakes. It’s a great opportunity to promote our three museums and we will be there dressed in museum character to add fun and colour to the day”.

James Hutchinson, Managing Director of Ripon Racecourse said:

“The City of Ripon has a very rich heritage, strong community spirit and is renowned for its customs and traditions such as the Hornblower, Bell-Ringer, the Wakeman and the St Wilfrid Procession. We’re looking forward to having the other fantastic attractions in the area join us again, for the second ‘Visit Ripon’ Raceday, to work together and promote our wonderful corner of North Yorkshire”.

Glamour, sophistication and socialising are all synonymous with a day at the races, but it is ramped up when it comes to Ladies Day.

Each of the nine racecourses in Yorkshire will be offering superb prizes for their Best Dressed Lady. The first competition is at Wetherby on Thursday, May 30 and they continue across Yorkshire throughout the summer before the final Ladies Day at Doncaster on Friday, September 13.

These are exciting days when everyone gets the chance to dress to impress and, uniquely in Yorkshire, all nine winners are invited to attend a Grand Final at Doncaster on Saturday, October 26 where they and their guest will be wined and dined in a private box for the day as well as having the chance to be crowned Go Racing In Yorkshire’s Best Dressed Lady 2019.

In addition to the title, the winner will take home a diamond ring worth £2,000 from loveVintageDiamonds.com, a two-night spa break at the Best Western Mount Pleasant Hotel and a £500 clothing voucher from new sponsor, Incognito.

So just what do you wear for Ladies Day? For Malton racehorse trainer Ruth Jefferson, choosing an outfit on a normal race day is fairly standard.

“I had 15 pairs of the same brand of black trousers at the last count,” said Ruth, when asked how she plans what to wear for the races. “Being practical is a must, there’s no point wearing a skirt that’s too tight for me to leg the jockey up!”

However, when it comes to special occasions like Ladies Day, Ruth who took over the training licence from her late father Malcolm, admits she needs a bit of help.

After an invite to Royal Ascot last year was followed up with a social media post along the lines of, “Can I wear trousers to Royal Ascot? Mum says no but I haven’t got a dress,” it was evident a spot of shopping was required!

Like all trainers, Ruth puts the needs of the horses and staff before herself and while she likes to keep an eye on the fashion scene, having the time to follow it up comes way down the ‘to do’ list.

“I need to be smart yet comfortable and able to work. It’s a balance between being able to be hands on with the horses but presentable to the owners and in the racecourse enclosures. I only wear white trousers if we’re running a grey!” Ruth added.

Just what to wear is an age-old problem for female racegoers, but fashion boutique, Incognito can certainly come up with the answer. The business which is now based in Bawtry has been in existence for over 30 years and has a keen racing clientele.

“Doncaster racecourse is just up the road and both my sister and I are regular attendees” said Jackie Reynolds, joint partner.

“We stock collections from very well-known designer brands, plus we are always careful to guide clients as we know that friends will be attending the same social events and don’t want to be wearing the same dress as someone else. Our personal service also helps to mitigate any fashion faux pas!” she added.

The boutique has a range of styles for all tastes and the sisters have an eye for knowing what will suit clients as soon as they walk through the door. With so much variety and expert guidance, finding the perfect outfit for Ladies Day will not be a problem.

Jackie and her sister Bernie took on the challenge of kitting out Ruth in garments that are both practical and stylish and did so with fantastic results.

“I live in jodhpurs and a fleece, so it’s really nice to be pushed out of my comfort zone. I’ve worn things at Incognito that I wouldn’t normally pick up in a shop and I’m pleasantly surprised by the outcome!” said Ruth, who also put herself in the hands of students from the White Rose College of Beauty for her hair and make-up.

“I definitely look younger and must try harder on a daily basis,” she joked when she saw the final result.

However, it wasn’t all about work as Jackie and Bernie prepared a glamorous look for Ruth and her mum Sue in readiness for their annual trip to York’s Ebor meeting in August, when Ladies Day is on Thursday, August 22.

“We’ve always loved going to York,” said Sue, “it’s a fantastic racecourse and it comes at a time when we are less busy at home so can relax and enjoy ourselves among colleagues and friends”.

While the outfits are the main focus of attention it is the accessories that enhance the detail. The winner of the Best Dressed Lady Final will have the perfect accompaniment as she sports a glistening 1920’s vintage ring made of 18 carat white gold from loveVintageDiamonds.com.

The two-stone twist crown is set with oval, cushion-shaped, rose-cut diamonds of the period and the total diamond weight is approximately 0.70 carats with a value of £2,000!

The winner will be able to tie in their trip to Incognito with a two night stay in a Spa Suite at the Best Western Mount Pleasant Hotel, a stay which includes champagne and home-made chocolates produced by the hotel’s own chocolatier on arrival, dinner with wine in the newly-refurbished Brassiere Artisan from the Table D’Hote menu, a full English breakfast on both days as well as a luxury fruit basket and Espa gift bag.

Helen McIlroy, of the Mount Pleasant Hotel said, “Given our proximity to Doncaster Racecourse we regularly have owners and trainers staying with us for the races or the sales and like to offer them some high-end luxury, whether their visit is for pleasure or for work purposes. It’s fitting that we should be able to offer something similar to Go Racing In Yorkshire’s Best Dressed Lady.”

Racegoers and music lovers are set to flock to Yorkshire’s Garden Racecourse on Friday evening (10th May) for the best value night out of 2019. A quality evening of racing will be followed by a live concert from 90’s/00’s pop icons ‘Five’ and entry to the Paddock and Course Enclosure is priced at just £5!

Following on from the successful Free Friday initiative at the corresponding Ripon fixture for the last three years, the aim of Fiver Friday is to attract a new audience to experience racing, with the added bonus of seeing a three-time UK Chart topping band perform for a minimal cost.

In an innovative move, Ripon have invited the other Yorkshire racecourses to participate in the event, offering race sponsorship, trackside and on-course advertising and the opportunity to promote to racegoers on the evening in exchange for cross-promoting Fiver Friday. Additionally, annual members from those courses will be admitted to the Club Enclosure free of charge

James Hutchinson, Managing Director of Ripon Racecourse said: “The idea, as with Free Friday, is to appeal to a new audience and the addition of Five will hopefully encourage people who might not have previously considered racing to come along and see what we have to offer. Especially with Paddock and Course Enclosure tickets priced at just £5!

“We’re really pleased that we will be joined by Beverley, Pontefract, Wetherby, Redcar, Catterick and Go Racing in Yorkshire for the evening. Hopefully by all working together we can show what a great day out racing is and encourage first-time racegoers to come racing again in the near future”.

Charlotte Russell, General Manager of Go Racing in Yorkshire said: “We are delighted to be part of Ripon Racecourse’s innovative evening, which not only combines great racing with excellent entertainment, but gives the opportunity for collaboration to showcase the wider racing scene in our beautiful county. We can’t wait to meet the racegoers and then ‘get down’ with Five after racing!”

Tickets and packages can be purchased online at https://ripon-races.co.uk/ or pay on the night with Paddock and Course Enclosure entry priced at just £5 and Club Enclosure entry at a reduced price of £15.

Gates open at 4pm with the first of 6 races at 6pm and Five performing in the Paddock Enclosure from 8.45. There will also be entertainment between races from Pulse 1 award winning breakfast duo Milo & Rosie.

Ripon Racecourse has introduced a ‘Green Scheme’ in time for the start of the 2019 season, offering discounted entry to cyclists and public transport users with the aim of reducing the carbon footprint of racedays at Yorkshire’s Garden Racecourse.

From the first meeting on Thursday 18^th April cyclists will receive a £5 discount token for the Club or Paddock Enclosure when parking up at the bike racks provided. National Cycle Network and Cycle routes to the course, along with full details of how to collect and redeem the discount token, can be found on the Ripon Races website at https://ripon-races.co.uk/green-scheme/.

In addition, a £5 discount will also be given to racegoers who travel to Ripon from Leeds or Harrogate by bus on the raceday, with a shuttle bus also provided by the racecourse from the centre of Ripon to the track. Full details of how to take advantage of this discount can also be found at https://ripon-races.co.uk/green-scheme/

Jonathan Mullin, Marketing Manager of Ripon Racecourse said:

“The Climate Coalition’s #ShowTheLove campaign throughout February really hit home with us. We are ‘Yorkshire’s Garden Racecourse’ and it is vital that we play our part both in terms of raising awareness of climate change but most importantly by becoming ‘greener’ ourselves.

“We thought introducing and incentivising the option of cycling to the races would be a good start, especially given the popularity of cycling in Yorkshire.

“We also realise that the lack of a train station in Ripon often leaves our racegoers feeling that they have little choice but to drive. We wanted to make the option of public transport more appealing, especially from Harrogate which is our nearest train station. We hope that a discount for bus users encourages racegoers to leave the car at home and makes the connection to the trainline more viable”.

Website: www.ripon-races.co.uk

With spring in the air the flat season is really getting into full swing and Yorkshire’s Garden Racecourse is all set to join the party with their season opener, Easter Family Day on Thursday 18^th April. Alongside a great afternoon of racing there will be an Easter Bunny Hunt, bouncy castle, face painting and mini-farm in the Course Enclosure, as well as free chocolate eggs for kids!

A busy winter saw Ripon awarded RCA Excellence Accolades for Customer Service and the Club Restaurant as well as retaining their place in the Visit England Top 10 Quality Assured Racecourses. In February Ripon staged the inaugural toy horse ‘Winter Dash’, which proved extremely popular on social media during a period when racing was abandoned due to an outbreak of equine influenza and Ripon Race Company Ltd celebrated its 120^th birthday on 20^th March!

Ripon Managing Director, James Hutchinson said: “We were delighted to retain our place at the top table in 2018 and it was especially pleasing to collect an award for customer service, along with the Club Restaurant receiving an excellence accolade for the fourth consecutive year.

“We won’t rest on our laurels though, we have been working hard through the winter and we are determined to kick on and improve the experience in 2019”.

Ripon have a number of raceday engagement projects in the pipeline for 2019 and that begins with a ‘Take Your Pick’ racecard competition to debut at the season opener on 18^th April. The free-to-enter competition will take place at every Ripon meeting in 2019 and requires racegoers to select three horses from the Ripon card for a shot at the £100 prize.

Marketing Manager, Jonathan Mullin said: “We plan to introduce something new and different at each of our meetings through the 2019 season and the ‘Take Your Pick’ racecard competition is just the start of that. We’ll have £100 up for grabs at every meeting in 2019 and it’s really easy to enter.

“We hope that this will both encourage new racegoers to engage with the racing and give our regular racegoers something different to get involved with. Keep an eye out for #whatsnew on social media on all of our 2019 racedays”.

You can keep up to date with all the latest news and offers from Ripon racecourse on their social media pages, or by visiting their website.

“We won’t rest on our laurels though, we have been working hard through the winter and we are determined to kick on and improve the experience in 2019”.

You can keep up to date with all the latest news and offers from Ripon racecourse on their social media pages, or by visiting their website.

Jonathan Mullin, Marketing Manager of Ripon Racecourse said:

“We thought introducing and incentivising the option of cycling to the races would be a good start, especially given the popularity of cycling in Yorkshire.

Ripon Racecourse is gearing up for an action packed summer of racing and fun for racegoers of all ages. There are five meetings at Yorkshire’s Garden Racecourse through August, starting with ‘Children’s Day’ on Monday 6^th August. With bouncy castles, Cub-Karts, face-painting, balloon modelling, a mini petting farm, Punch & Judy and a Magic Show all free of charge, the kids are guaranteed a fun day out!

On Monday 13^th August, ‘Alice In Wonderland Family Day’ there will again be lots of free entertainment and fantastic prizes to be won for the best fancy dress outfit, which will be judged by Minster FM. So get those Alice and Mad Hatter costumes ready! There will also be competitions to win tickets to Lightwater Valley and Ripon Museums, who are staging a production of Alice-In-Wonderland on Tuesday 14^th August.

The William Hill Great St Wilfrid is one of the most competitive sprint handicaps of the racing season and takes centre stage on Saturday 18^th August, with the ITV cameras present for the feature day of the season at Ripon. The last eight winners of the historic contest have been trained in Yorkshire and with the likes of Tim Easterby, Richard Fahey and David O’Meara likely to be mob-handed once more, who would bet against the trophy remaining in Yorkshire for a ninth consecutive year?

Bank Holiday Family Day on Monday 27^th August features the Ripon Champion Two-Year-Old Trophy and alongside the fantastic racing there will once more be bouncy castles, face-painting, balloon modelling, Cub-Karts, Punch & Judy and Professor Dan to keep the children entertained. If that isn’t enough to satisfy your appetite for racing there is also a meeting on Tuesday 28^th August to round off a great summer.

James Hutchinson, Managing Director of Ripon Racecourse said:

“We are renowned for our excellent Family Days here at Yorkshire’s Garden Racecourse. It is great to see families and racegoers young and old enjoying the racing and entertainment.

“The William Hill Great St Wilfrid and the Ripon Champion Two-Year-Old Trophy are the two most high profile races of our season and we are very excited that we have some outstanding racedays to look forward to over the next few weeks”.

Gates open: Midday (11.30 on Sat 18^th August)

Prices (if booked in advance): Club Enclosure £22, Paddock £14, Course £6.

Prices 18^th August (if booked in advance): Club £25, Paddock 16, Course £6.

Website: www.ripon-races.co.uk

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ripon.racecourse/

Ripon Racecourse is preparing to host the inaugural ‘Visit Ripon’ Community Raceday on Monday 16th July. The event will see a number of local attractions join forces at Yorkshire’s Garden Racecourse to showcase what they each have to offer and to collectively promote the City of Ripon as a destination.
Ripon Cathedral, Newby Hall & Gardens, Ripon Museums, Lightwater Valley and Fountains Abbey will each sponsor a race on the day and will have trade stands set up on course where racegoers can obtain information and insight about their attractions and the City of Ripon.
Richard Compton, owner of Newby Hall, is delighted to be involved saying:
“It is a privilege to be involved with the inaugural Visit Ripon race day on the 16th July. Ripon has such a lot to offer for visitors we hope that all the attractions being represented on race day will show the world what a great place our corner of Yorkshire is”.
Linda Furniss, Market Development Manager at Ripon Museums, is also embracing the opportunity:
“Although many of the inmates of the workhouse and prison wouldn’t have had the opportunity for a day at the races, we are looking forward to the Ripon Museums Handicap. It’s a great opportunity to promote our three museums and we will be there dressed in museum character to add fun and colour to the day”.
James Hutchinson, Managing Director of Ripon Racecourse said:
“We thought it would be beneficial to use one of our racedays to bring the members of the Visit Ripon group together and work with them to promote the City of Ripon, which has a very rich heritage and strong community spirit.
“Ripon is renowned for its customs and traditions such as the Hornblower, Bell-Ringer, the Wakeman and the St Wilfrid Procession and has a lot to offer. We hope that by joining forces with other fantastic attractions in the area on the ‘Visit Ripon’ Community Raceday, we can promote Ripon as a destination and benefit the local community.
“Here’s hoping for a great afternoon of racing and community spirit at Yorkshire’s Garden Racecourse!”.
Gates open: 12.15
First Race: 2.15 (seven races with the last race scheduled for 5.25)
Prices (if booked in advance): Club Enclosure £22, Paddock £14, Course £6.

As the nation gears up for a big week of sporting action with Royal Ascot and England kicking off their World Cup Campaign, Ripon Races stage their very own ‘Royal Ascot of the North’ as they host two-days of action with a fantastic evening of racing on Wednesday 20^th June followed by their annual Ladies’ Day on Thursday 21^st June.

Yorkshire’s Garden Racecourse has again teamed up with Stray FM and Heli-jet to offer four racegoers the chance to win the ultimate VIP day at the races. Not only does the winner win full hospitality for four people, they will also be transported to the racecourse by helicopter! Entries close on 17^th June with Harrogate based radio station Stray FM taking entries online.

https://www.strayfm.com/win/riponracesladiesday.php

One of the highlights of the afternoon is the traditional ‘Best Dressed’ and ‘Best Hat’ competitions, with prizes courtesy of and judged by sponsors Snooty Frox and Milliner Jenny Roberts, both of Harrogate.

Ripon hosted the first ever recorded race for Lady Amateur riders back in 1723 so, in keeping with the theme, Ladies’ Day is a fitting stage for the historic ‘Ladies’ Derby’ – an amateur race for Lady Riders only. The blacktype.bet Ladies’ Day Handicap and the Slingsby Gin Handicap are other feature races on a highly competitive card.

Ripon also host an evening of racing on Wednesday 20th, the meeting features six races including the ‘Wells Memorial Challenge Trophy’. blacktype.bet are sponsors on the night and with the World Cup in full swing, they will be running a charity penalty shootout for jockeys, stable staff and racegoers with donations made for each penalty scored past ex-Professional stopper David Preece.

James Hutchinson, Managing Director and Clerk of the Course said:

“Ladies’ Day is always a highlight of our racing calendar and we are thrilled to be able to offer racegoers the chance to do it in real style in conjunction with Stray FM! We have some great competitions over both days and some fantastic sponsors so we’re looking forward to a terrific occasion’

You can keep up to date with all the latest news and offers from Ripon racecourse on their social media pages, or by visiting their website. Website: www.ripon-races.co.uk

Hot on the heels of their successful season-opening fixture, Ripon are gearing up for their first feature meeting of 2018 on Saturday 28^th April and a fantastic afternoon of action is on the cards, with over £120,000 in prize money up for grabs at ‘Yorkshire’s Garden Racecourse’.

The M.C.H. Hutchinson Memorial Handicap over 1m4f and the Download the Award-Winning At The Races App Handicap over 2m are the feature races of the afternoon and Ripon Champion Trainer of 2016 and 2017, Tim Easterby, is pondering both options for the reappearance of his Chester Cup hopeful My Reward.

“I’m not 100% sure which of the two races My Reward will run in just yet,” said Easterby. “He won the two-mile handicap last year and he likes the track. He’s in good order and I hope he can make a pleasing reappearance as a stepping stone on to the Chester Cup next month.”

The North-Yorkshire based trainer is also hopeful of a big run from a popular Ripon regular Flying Pursuit, who makes his return to action in the At The Races Sky 415 Handicap.

“He’s in great form for his first run of the season,” commented Easterby. “He’s won three times over the course and distance, we know he loves the track and the ground will be fine for him so I’d be very hopeful of a good run from him on Saturday.”

In addition to the quality racing action, there will be music from the Wetherby & District Silver Band and our charity partners for the day, British Red Cross Yorkshire and Cancer Research UK, will also be on course.

Looking ahead to May, Ripon are hosting their popular FREE Friday evening fixture on 11^th May, as part of an initiative to encourage first-time racegoers to enjoy a taste of the sport. This is the third year that Ripon has offered racegoers the opportunity to come for free and the feedback from previous visitors, particularly those experiencing racing for the first time, has proved highly positive.

The following weekend then sees Ripon stage the first of their four annual Family Days on Sunday 20^th May, with traditional entertainment on offer for all ages.

James Hutchinson, Managing Director and Clerk of the Course said: “We are very much looking forward to our first feature raceday of 2018. With plenty of prize money on offer it promises to be a great Saturday afternoon of racing.”

You can keep up to date with all the latest news and offers from Ripon Racecourse course on their social media pages, or by visiting their website.

Website: www.ripon-races.co.uk

Saturday in store at Yorkshire’s Garden Racecourse

The North-Yorkshire based trainer is also hopeful of a big run from a popular Ripon regular Flying Pursuit, who makes his return to action in the At The Races Sky 415 Handicap.

The following weekend then sees Ripon stage the first of their four annual Family Days on Sunday 20^th May, with traditional entertainment on offer for all ages.

You can keep up to date with all the latest news and offers from Ripon Racecourse course on their social media pages, or by visiting their website.

Website: www.ripon-races.co.uk

The expertise and dedication of the grounds team at Ripon Racecourse has been recognised by this year’s Institute of Groundsmanship (IOG) Industry Awards with the team winning the John Deere Professional Horse Racing Grounds Team of the Year Award.

The four-strong grounds team at Ripon Racecourse work consistently to produce a racing surface that is fast, good/good to firm for every race, whether by irrigation or drainage management. The site hosts 17 days of racing each season – with a turnaround of nine-15 days between each fixture and an average of 65 runners for each meeting (over 1,000 runners every year).

Head Groundsman Carl Tonks said “I’m very grateful and proud of our team’s hard work and dedication throughout the year. To be recognised with the elite of the Groundscare industry is truly an honour and a privilege.”

As part of this expert care, independent agronomy reports in recent years has shown that the turf management process has improved.

In addition to the track, the team also maintains 210 acres of open space, car parks, woodland, lakes and buildings, which accommodate varied use, including:

Over 50 outside events such as

caravan rallies, car shows, beer festivals, car boot sales and dog shows;

Weddings, conferences and trade shows;
On the lake – fishing, diving, canoeing, jet skiing, triathlon training; and
Pigeon race liberations.

Organised by the IOG – the leading membership organisation for everyone involved in the management of sports pitches, landscape and amenity facilities – the annual awards embrace categories of entry covering sport, young people and the environment.

The awards highlight the high standards of volunteer and professional groundsmanship, from grassroots to professional stadia level. They are judged by an independent panel on criteria that include effective use of resources, budgetary control, presentation and housekeeping standards, as well as environmental considerations.

Commenting on the high standard of award winners, IOG chief executive Geoff Webb, says: “With a record number of entries, this year’s awards continue to demonstrate the skills and passion of groundsmanship throughout the UK, at both voluntary and professional level.

“Winning an award is testament to the dedication of the grounds teams and individuals whose ability to produce and maintain ever-improving playing surfaces – which enables more games to take place – goes largely unnoticed.”

Visit www.iog.org/awards for more details.

Ripon Racecourse is delighted to announce they have been named as a Finalist for the prestigious Showcase & Awards, hosted by the Racecourse Association (RCA).

The Showcase & Awards is the marquee event of British racecourses that annually celebrates first class customer experience in partnership with Moët Hennessy and Racing Post.

Ripon Racecourse has been listed as a Finalist in the #TopSpot category. From the five Finalists the winner will be revealed at the Showcase & Awards ceremony on 16 November at Newbury Racecourse.

The #TopSpot Award is looking for standalone initiatives, large or small, that enrich the racecourse brand and/or raceday experience for customers. To enter racecourses had to tweet an image using #TopSpot and a brief description.

Ripon Racecourse particularly impressed the judges through their Heck Pop-Up BBQ initiative which has seen the Racecourse working with Theakston Brewery and Heck Food to bring together the best of Yorkshire produce with the ‘BBQ n Beer Fest’ season finale.

Erin Boswell, Marketing Manager at Ripon Racecourse, said: “We are thrilled to have been shortlisted in such a competitive category. The annual RCA Showcase awards is something all Racecourses engage in and we are thrilled to have been shortlisted for the fifth year in a row. Both Theakston’s and Heck are big local brands that are at the top of their game and are on our doorstep. We offering racegoers a wonderful upgrade option to showcase what amazing produce we have here in Yorkshire. It was also a great way to celebrate a successful season and initiative to offer our racegoers some added value to our season finale”

Stephen Atkin, RCA Chief Executive, said, “I am delighted for Ripon Racecourse for their success in being named a Finalist at the 2017 Showcase & Awards.

“It is a highlight of our year to see all of the quality Showcase Awards submissions go before the judges to measure the impact and growth of the initiatives that our racecourses have delivered and clearly Ripon have enjoyed an excellent year.

“I extend my congratulations to the team for their hard work in securing this achievement and wish them the best of luck for the ceremony at Newbury on Thursday 16^th November where we’ll see if they can join our esteemed list of winners.”

#TopSpot Finalists

Beverley—The Bark D’Triomphe

Hamilton Park—Winners Wall

Newbury—Newbury Poppy Appeal

Pontefract—The Wall of Fame

Ripon—Heck! Pop-up BBQ

It’s a well-known fact that Yorkshire’s well established for its wonderful produce along with being blessed with some of the country’s finest Horse Racing.

Ripon Races have taken the saying ‘Love thy neighbour’ to another level and have teamed for the second year with Masham based brewers Theakston’s and Bedale based Heck Food for a BBQ n Beer festival to end their 2017 season.

The meeting which takes place on Saturday 30^th September is the fourth annual event put on by Theakstons at the Racecourse, the pop-up Beer Festival with a full range of seasonal and new ales from Theakstons is in addition to the permanent ‘Theakston Terrace Bar’ that was installed as part of the 2013 winter renovations.

Heck and Theakstons will both be on course as part of the BBQ n Beer festival, along with Leeds acoustic duo ‘Strobe’ who will be performing throughout the afternoon in the dedicated chill out area.

The trio have teamed up to offer racegoers the ultimate BBQ package with entry, a Heck BBQ meal and a pint of Yorkshire’s finest Theakston Ale and can be pre-booked on the Ripon Races website.

Victoria Bramley, Marketing Manager of Theakston Brewery said “We are greatly looking forward to the fourth Annual Theakston Pop-Up beer festival at Ripon Races and to what is fast becoming the must-go-to event in the Ripon social calendar. This year’s will be even bigger and better with a record number of nine of our famous Masham brewed ales on the bar and, in attendance with us for the second year running are the wonderful Heck whose sausages complements our beer perfectly!”

James Hutchinson, Managing Director of Ripon Races said “We are thrilled to continue our great working relationship with Theakston’s and showcase the best of Yorkshire BBQ with Heck joining the team. It’s amazing to think we have come to the end of what has been a fantastic season here at Yorkshire’s Garden Racecourse’

Racing highlights of the day include the Class 2 ‘Ripon Cathedral City of The Dales Handicap Stakes’, a £25,000 contest for 3 year olds and upwards over six furlongs, ‘The Noel Hetherton Memorial Handicap Stakes’ a £10,000 five furlong sprint which remembers the former patron of the Racecourse who sadly passed away in 2015.

The raceday also marks a special end to the season as the Racecourse pays tribute to their Groundstaff team with an official thank you.

The final race of the season has been fittingly named ‘The Thank You To Our Groundstaff Maiden Stakes’ as a tribute to the team behind ‘Yorkshire’s Garden Racecourse’s award winning surroundings.

The team are celebrating the recent news of being named as one of three Racecourses in the final shortlist of the IOG John Deere Professional Horse Racing Grounds Team of the Year. Ripon will go up against teams from Sandown and Nottingham and will represent the Racecourse at the annual awards dinner where the winners will be announced.

Racing on Saturday 30^th September starts at 2pm with gates open for entry at 11.30am before Ripon close their gates until April 2018.

It’s a well-known fact that Yorkshire’s well established for its wonderful produce along with being blessed with some of the country’s finest Horse Racing.
Ripon Races have taken the saying ‘Love thy neighbour’ to another level and have teamed for the second year with Masham based brewers Theakston’s and Bedale based Heck Food for a BBQ n Beer festival to end their 2017 season.

The meeting which takes place on Saturday 30th September is the fourth annual event put on by Theakstons at the Racecourse, the pop-up Beer Festival with a full range of seasonal and new ales from Theakstons is in addition to the permanent ‘Theakston Terrace Bar’ that was installed as part of the 2013 winter renovations.
Heck and Theakstons will both be on course as part of the BBQ n Beer festival, along with Leeds acoustic duo ‘Strobe’ who will be performing throughout the afternoon in the dedicated chill out area.

The trio have teamed up to offer racegoers the ultimate BBQ package with entry, a Heck BBQ meal and a pint of Yorkshire’s finest Theakston Ale and can be pre-booked on the Ripon Races website.

Victoria Bramley, Marketing Manager of Theakston Brewery said “We are greatly looking forward to the fourth Annual Theakston Pop-Up beer festival at Ripon Races and to what is fast becoming the must-go-to event in the Ripon social calendar. This year’s will be even bigger and better with a record number of nine of our famous Masham brewed ales on the bar and, in attendance with us for the second year running are the wonderful Heck whose sausages complements our beer perfectly!”

James Hutchinson, Managing Director of Ripon Races said “We are thrilled to continue our great working relationship with Theakston’s and showcase the best of Yorkshire BBQ with Heck joining the team. It’s amazing to think we have come to the end of what has been a fantastic season here at Yorkshire’s Garden Racecourse’

The raceday also marks a special end to the season as the Racecourse pays tribute to their Groundstaff team with an official thank you.

The team are celebrating the recent news of being named as one of three Racecourses in the final shortlist of the IOG John Deere Professional Horse Racing Grounds Team of the Year. Ripon will go up against teams from Sandown and Nottingham and will represent the Racecourse at the annual awards dinner where the winners will be announced.

Racing on Saturday 30th September starts at 2pm with gates open for entry at 11.30am before Ripon close their gates until April 2018.

With the summer holidays coming to a close, Ripon are set to wind down what has been a jam-packed august with their annual two-day August Bank Holiday race day. The event which starts on Monday with a family fun day including a variety of FREE fairground rides and fun for the children continues on Tuesday with another afternoon of quality racing.

Very much an established part of August’s Yorkshire racing calendar, the course have a fun filled afternoon of activities planned for children in the Course Enclosure on Monday.

The main feature for the children is the Racing Roadshow which will be located in the Course Enclosure. Part of the industry’s educational push on Horse Racing, racegoers of all ages will be able learn about horses, jockeys and a range of interesting facts what makes the racing industry so unique. ‘Racing to Schools’, an organisation dedicated to helping children understand the wonderful world of racing will also be providing an equicisor for you to test your own jockey skills. (see photo)

James Hutchinson, Managing Director and Clerk of the Course said:

“Bank Holidays are traditionally about relaxing and enjoying time with friends and family, there’s no better place to do that than at the races with a picnic and an ice cream in sunny Yorkshire!”

Turning to the racing, the days feature race is Ripon’s only listed race of the season, ‘The Longines Irish Champions Weekend EBF Ripon Champion Two Yrs Old Trophy’ a Class 1 sprint for two-year olds over six furlongs, with a total of £30,000 prize money on offer.

The action continues on Tuesday with a full card sponsored by At the Races, the Sky Sports owned channel which features every live race from Ripon as their broadcast partners. The day also features the 21 Engineer Regiment Sapper Nursery Stakes, a race held in conjunction with their annual visit to the Racecourse. The race which is a tradition in place for over 30 years, is held to honour 21 Engineer Regiment and their contribution to the local community

The gates on Monday open at 11.30am with the first of seven races starting at 2.10pm, with FREE entry for all accompanied under 18’s. Adult admission is available from £7 per person in the Course Enclosure, or £20 per car (inc admission for up to four adults) perfect for those picnics with the family.

You can keep up to date with all the latest news and offers from the course on their social media pages, or by visiting their website www.ripon-races.co.uk

Ripon’s most valuable and iconic race of the season, The William Hill Great St. Wilfrid Stakes takes pride of place on a top-class card this Saturday, August 19th.

The famous Handicap for sprinters over six furlong will be the talk of the weekend’s action, with owners looking to land some of the £75,000 prize pot on offer for the big race.

It’s the most valuable raceday of the season at Yorkshire’s ‘Garden Racecourse’ with total prize money of £150,000 up for grabs. The meeting also includes the fifth running of The William Hill Silver Trophy, a £20,000, ‘consolation’ race for the horses entered but unable to get into the feature race.

The successful owner in Saturday’s big race will receive a silver trophy depicting Ripon’s Patron Saint, St. Wilfrid, mounted on horseback along with a healthy first prize fund of over £43,575.

The winning trainer of the race will also be presented with the William Hill floral gala, a unique tribute inspired by that given to winner of the American ‘Breeders Cup. Introduced in 2016, the floral gala which is handmade by Ripon florist Rebecca Passman at Floral Pride is made with individual flower heads and will be displayed on course throughout the afternoon before presented to the winner of the race which takes place at 3:15pm. (Pictured)

Last year’s contest was won by ‘Nameitwhatyoulike’ who is entered again and set to challenge for back to back wins. Trainer Bryan Smart said : “He is in good order and working well at home, he loves the track at Ripon so we are hopeful he will run a good race”.

Vicky Smart, Wife of winning trainer Bryan Smart, said: “The highlight of last season for us was the floral award given by Ripon Racecourse to our Great St Wilfrid winner ‘Nameitwhatyoulike’. It made us feel like champions at the Kentucky Derby and was so fitting to the track which is so well known for its beautiful flowers.

“The floral gala was handmade locally with individual flower heads and was displayed with pride in our yard at Hambleton for weeks afterwards and was only removed when the first storm of autumn threatened to carry it across the North York Moors.”

James Hutchinson, Managing Director and Clerk of the Course said:

“It’s one of our highlights of the season and something we build up to over a period with huge excitement. For the past six years the race has been won by Yorkshire trainers and the field is set to be full of talented Yorkshire sprinters once again”.

Racing on Saturday August 19^th starts with the first of seven races at 2:05pm with entry from 11.30am. Racegoers can gain entry from just £7 per person in the ever popular Course Enclosure with FREE entry for accompanied u18’s into all enclosures.

Saturday’s musical entertainment on the bandstand is provided by The Otley Brass Band, together with a selection of rides such as bouncy castles and inflatables for children in the Course Enclosure alongside their permanent play area (weather dependant).

You can keep up to date with all the latest news and offers from the course on their social media pages, or by visiting their website.

the British author of the famed children’s fantasy novel, Alice’s’ Adventures in Wonderland.

Carroll is also well-known for his obsession with madness and, it seems, it’s rubbing off. With Ripon Races set to hold their ‘Alice in Wonderland Family Raceday’ for the third year running.

Marketing Manager, Erin Boswell of Ripon Races who are also set to host their most prolific race of the season next Saturday, the William Hill Great St Wilfrid – admits to going slightly loopy with excitement for the ‘Alice in Wonderland Day’ event, which is free to all under 18s and could be said to be getting ‘curiouser and curiouser’ each year.

“The book – Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland - has a special place in the hearts of us here with such close links to the City” said Erin, “This is the third year we have held our ‘Alice in Wonderland Day’ and it gets bigger and better every year. It’s a great day out for all the family, with lots on for the Children alongside some quality action on the track.”

As well as enjoying an afternoon of racing, little ones can go crazy with a ‘Mad Hatter’s Tea Party’ which is to be staged at 1.15pm. Children are encouraged to bring their picnics and join in with Alice and friends before an afternoon of fun and games. The Racecourse also have tea cup rides, bouncy castles, balloon modelling and face painting.

The main event of the afternoon is the kids fancy dress competition for both over and under 6s, with some ‘wonderful prizes’ up for grabs including Lightwater Valley Passes and racing packages. Adults need not get ‘down, down, down’ in the dumps though; with prizes for ‘Best Adult Costume’ for over 18s and perhaps a little bet on the gee-gees, everybody is catered for.

The gates on Monday open at 12:00pm with the first of six races starting at 14:00pm, with FREE entry and FREE fun for all accompanied under 18’s. Adult admission is available from £7 per person in the Course Enclosure, or £20 (inc admission for four) perfect for those picnics with the family.

Ripon continue racing next week on Saturday 19^th for one of the most highly anticipated sprints of the season, the ‘William Hill Great St Wilfrid’. The day which is Ripon’s most valuable raceday of the season has over £150,000 of prize money on offer, with the winner of the prolific sprint also presented with a unique handmade floral gala.

You can keep up to date with all the latest news and offers from the course on their social media pages, or by visiting their website.

With the summer holidays now in full flow, what better way to spend a day with the family than at Ripon’s annual ‘Children’s’ Day on Monday. The event held this year on the 7th August, not only has FREE entry for all accompanied under 18’s but there are lots of FREE fun and goodies too!

Very much an established part of August’s Yorkshire racing calendar, the course have a fun filled afternoon of activities planned for children in the Course Enclosure. The main attraction for the children will be the cute and furry friends brought by The Riggamoor Mini Farm, along with a variety of funfair rides and bouncy castles as part of the afternoon’s FREE entertainment.

The freebies don’t stop there either, each child will be given a FREE ice cream and the racecourse will also be offering (while stocks last!) FREE kids activity packs with race cards and sweets for the youngsters to help them learn all about horse racing.

The Racing Roadshow will also be in the course enclosure for racegoers of all ages to learn about horses, jockeys and racing in general. ‘Racing to Schools’, an organisation dedicated to helping children understand the wonderful world of racing will also be providing an equicisor for you to test your own jockey skills. (see photo)

James Hutchinson, Managing Director and Clerk of the Course said:

“Our annual Children’s Day is the perfect day out for all the family and a great introduction for new racegoers. We have a fantastic afternoon of racing planned and lots of fun as always for the junior racegoers. What better way to start a fantastic month of racing here at Ripon!”

Turning to the racing, the days feature race is ‘The Armstrong Memorial Handicap Stakes’ a race for three-year-olds over six furlongs. This year commemorates the 61st running of the Armstrong Memorial race and is supported by the Armstrong Family, one of the country’s most famous racing dynasties.

The Armstrong family has strong links with racing in Yorkshire, with the late brothers Sam and Gerald Armstrong both well recognised as legendary Yorkshire trainers, Sam having also trained in Newmarket.

Colin Armstrong, son of late trainer Gerald, is an active director of Ripon Race Company and is also the genius behind the much loved local tourist attraction ‘The Forbidden Corner’ at Middleham.

The gates on Monday open at 12.15pm with the first of seven races starting at 2.15pm, with FREE entry for all accompanied under 18’s. Adult admission is available from £7 per person in the Course Enclosure, or £20 (inc admission for four) perfect for those picnics with the family.

Ripon next race for their Alice in Wonderland Family day the following Monday on 14th August before they host their traditional ‘William Hill Great St Wilfrid’ meeting on Saturday 19th August. It’s their most valuable raceday of the season and is one of the most highly anticipated sprints of the season with over £150,000 of prize money on offer that afternoon.

You can keep up to date with all the latest news and offers from the course on their social media pages, or by visiting their website.
Closing details

Ripon Races are a flat turf racecourse, one of nine racecourses in Yorkshire. They hold 17 race meetings in 2017, from April to September with a variety of evening, weekend and family fun race days.

The race meeting on Monday 7th August starts at 14.15pm with the gates open from 12.15pm and the last of 7 races at 17.15pm.

Website: www.ripon-races.co.uk

Ripon Races are gearing up for a busy few months and the action starts on Monday 10th July with their ‘Blues Brothers Evening’, what better way to dust off that Monday Blues and start your week on a high!

With musical entertainment on Ripon’s bandstand a regular feature at their summer race meetings, Ripon are welcoming back of the UK’s finest Blues Brothers tribute bands ‘The Jailhouse Blues Brothers’.

The duo will be performing between races, before a set after racing at 9.15pm. The course are also staging an alternative ‘Best Dressed Competition’ and are encouraging racegoers to get in the spirit and get creative, with last year’s top prize going to a Dan Ackroyd Ghostbusters tribute (pictured).

James Hutchinson, Managing Director and Clerk of the Course said:

“This will be the 3rd year we’ve held the Blues Brothers Evening and year on year it just gets better. Adding a bit of entertainment to our evening meeting with a great covers band really does go down well and watching them all line up in their outfits is hilarious!”

There will also be six races on the track with the feature race of the evening, ‘The Ripon Cathedral Handicap Stakes’ attracting Class 3 runners over a mile and a quarter with a prize fund of £12,000.

It’s just over four weeks until Ripon will welcome their biggest crowd of the season for the 10th annual ‘Go Racing in Yorkshire Summer Festival’. The festival which starts at Ripon on Saturday 22nd July celebrates Yorkshire racing with 8 days of racing at 8 of the 9 Yorkshire Racecourses from 22nd – 30th July.

You can keep up to date with all the latest news and offers from the course on their social media pages, or by visiting their website.

As the jockeys take to their saddles to ride at Royal Ascot (or Ripon!) this week, most will be lucky enough to have ridden their fair share of winners in their careers. But as most jockeys and sportsmen/women alike will remember, nothing beats your first competitive win whatever sport they compete in.

It will certainly be a mixture of emotions for the apprentice jockeys due to ride at Ripon Races on Wednesday evening, as they are all in fact chasing their first ever winner in the ONLY race in British racing open only to jockeys who have yet to ride a winner.

The race is the all down to the work of North Yorkshire racing welfare legend Raye Wilkinson, who has been working in racing for over 50 years.

Wilkinson was previously a social worker in Catterick Garrison, but a chance meeting with Middleham trainer Ernie Weymes in 1966 led to his involvement in racing. He instantly fell in love with horse racing and has never looked back. By October of that year Wilkinson was a full-time worker for the Stable Lads Welfare Trust, and the office in Middleham was opened.

Raye has since moved on but still works in Middleham for Mark Johnston Racing as their dedicated welfare officer. He continues to support up and coming jockeys by creating the very unique race for Apprentice riders which takes place at Ripon on Wednesday evening, 21^st June.

“If anything, I’ve left my mark by creating a welfare service, in 1978 I looked at racing from a stable lads’ point of view, and realised there was very little welfare cover for them,”

“I am so passionate about helping those working in racing from the ground up and this race is what that is all about, recognising those wonderful moments in a young jockeys career, however long that may be” said Wilkinson

The race which is the first race on Wednesday evenings card at Ripon, is this year titled to honour Rayes Dedication to the sport as ‘The Raye Wilkinson Apprentice Handicap’

Raye’s hard work has also been well recognised within the industry, having won the ‘Go Racing in Yorkshire ‘Lifetime achievement award’ back in 2010 and most recently being one three finalists for the Rory Macdonald Community award at the annual Godolphin Stable and Stud Awards in January 2015.

Wilkinson who has organised the race for seven years now, will never forget the day Oisin Murphy won the race back in 2013. Frustratingly Murphy who has since gone onto become one of the nation’s top flat jockeys, had a winner just three days before the race at Salisbury but conditions of the race meant that as the declaration dates had passed he still qualified to ride in the race.

Raye often refers to a fitting quote by Charles Trigg who rode an impressive 843 winners after his first ever winner in Newbury in 1905, and is best known for winning the Epsom Oaks aboard Rosedrop in 1910.

“Nobody but an apprentice who has done it will ever know what it means to ride his first winner. No words can explain it. You walk on air. You do not care what happens. You have done it. You have ridden a winner, and nothing can ever take that away from you” Charles Trigg, (1881 – 1945)

We look forward to seeing some more future stars start their careers with a first win in the saddle, what is sure is that it will be a day to remember for one happy jockey.

Closing details

Ripon Races are a flat turf racecourse, one of nine racecourses in Yorkshire. They hold 17 race meetings in 2017, from April to September with a variety of evening, weekend and family fun race days.

The race meeting on Wednesday 21^st June starts with the first of six races at 6.50pm with entry from 4.50pm. The course will have live music on the bandstand from Leeds based acoustic duo ‘Strobe’.

As usual at Ripon, accompanied children under 18 years of age are admitted FREE of charge into all enclosures. Tickets can be pre-booked for discounts or adult admission is available on the gates from £7 per person in the Course Enclosure, £15 in the Paddock and £23 for the Club Enclosure.

As the nation gears up for a week of action at Royal Ascot, Ripon Races are getting into the spirit with their very own ‘Royal Ascot of the North’ as they host two-days of action including their annual Ladies’ Day on the same day as the Berkshire course.

The North Yorkshire course, otherwise known as ‘Yorkshire’s Garden Racecourse’ is set to host their annual two-day Ladies’ Day meeting, with an evening of racing on Wednesday 21^st, before they host their Ladies’ Day on Thursday 22^nd June.

To launch the event, the Racecourse have teamed up with Stray FM and Heli-jet to offer four racegoers the chance to win the ultimate VIP day at the races. Not only does the winner win full hospitality for four people, the lucky winner will be brought to the racecourse by helicopter to really get into the spirit of Royal Ascot! Entries close on 18^th June with Harrogate based radio station Stray FM taking entries online.

https://www.strayfm.com/win/riponracesladiesday.php

One of the main highlights of the afternoon is the traditional ‘Best Dressed’ and ‘Best Hat’ competitions, with prizes courtesy of and judged by sponsors Snooty Frox and Milliner Jenny Roberts both of Harrogate.

Turning attention to the racing, Thursday’s Ladies Day’ theme is also replicated on the track as Ripon stage their ‘Ladies’ Derby’ – an amateur race for Lady Riders only. The race is one of the longest standing in racing history, with Ripon hosting one of the first EVER recorded races for Lady Amateur riders back in 1723.

Ripon also host an evening of racing the previous day on Wednesday (21^st), the meeting features six races including the ‘Raye Wilkinson Apprentice Handicap Stakes’. The race is the only race in British Racing which is only open to Apprentice Jockeys who have never ridden a winner. (See separate press release)

James Hutchinson, Managing Director and Clerk of the Course said:

“Ladies’ Day is a real highlight of our racing calendar and we are thrilled to be able to offer racegoers the chance to do it in real style! This year’s competition is simply out of this world and as always we look forward to an afternoon of quality action, glitz and glamour’

Whether you want to strut your stuff at the bookies, sip champagne on the summer lawns or simply resurrect that beautiful hat and shoes combo from the wedding you went to last year, Ladies Day provides a great excuse to let your hair down and enjoy a day not to be missed.

You can keep up to date with all the latest news and offers from the course on their social media pages, or by visiting their website.

The race meeting on Wednesday 21^st June starts with the first of six races at 6.50pm with entry from 4.50pm. The course will have live music on the bandstand from Leeds

Thursday’s Ladies’ Day afternoon racing starts with the first of seven races at 2.10pm with entry from noon.

Horse Racing is the fastest growing social sporting activity and what better way than to enjoy a summers evening than with the whole family.

‘Following on from the success of last week’s landmark FREE FRIDAY meeting, Yorkshire’s Garden Racecourse hold their first Family Day of their season this Sunday, with their annual ‘Traditional Family Fun Day’.

Complementing Ripon’s family friendly Racecourse status, the day focuses on entertainment for the family with their Traditional Family day activities. There will be a wide variety of FREE attractions suitable for all ages (adults included), with Punch & Judy shows, face painting & balloon modelling and lots more fairground rides alongside a classic brass band to set the tone. Children’s entertainment is in the Course Enclosure; ensuring youngsters have a fun-packed day alongside the whole family enjoying the horse racing.

James Hutchinson, Managing Director and Clerk of the Course said:

“Family fun days are a big part of our racing calendar and our Traditional Family Fun Day is great way to introduce the next generation of racegoers to racing at Ripon. With the range of activities alongside the quality racing, it really is a great affordable family day out”

Turning to the racing, the day features’ The Wilmot-Smith Memorial E.B.F ‘Breeders Series’ Fillies’ Handicap Stakes’ a £20,000 Handicap contest for fillies over the sprint distance of six furlongs. The afternoons feature race ‘The Ripon, Yorkshire’s ‘Garden Racecourse’ Handicap Stakes over one mile offers prize money of £23,000.

The race meeting on Sunday 21^st May starts at 2.00pm with the gates open from 12.00pm and the last of 7 races at 5.10pm.

Fixture details:

Sunday 21^st May –

Gates open at 12:00pm – First of seven races starts at 14:00pm

All accompanied u18’s come FREE into any Enclosure with a range of FREE fun for the kids including a visit from the National Festival Circus who will be performing throughout the afternoon alongside a range of fairground rides and other activities.

Feature race of the day: ‘The Ripon, Yorkshire’s ‘Garden Racecourse’ Handicap Stakes (£23,000)

Racegoers are set to flock to Ripon Racecourse this Friday night (May 12th) for the return of the most generous offer the UK racing industry has to offer and it’s right on our doorstep here in Yorkshire!

The ‘FREEFRIDAY’ initiative that was first introduced last season saw over 6000 racegoers take up the offer of FREE entry to all racegoers into Paddock and Course Enclosures and no, there isn’t a catch it really is as simple as to turn up and walk in for FREE.

A bold move from one of Yorkshire’s most scenic Racecourses, with Ripon’s free fixture enabling those new to racing a chance to ‘try before you buy’ and not only showcases some quality action on the track but gives those an insight into the industry.

Ripon want to embrace the nation’s love for the sport and override the often stereotypical view that racing is for an elite group or isn’t suitable for families. Ripon very much fly’s the flag as a family friendly venue with free admission for accompanied u18’s all year round.

James Hutchinson, Managing Director & Clerk of the Course said “Last year’s event was a massive success and was a great way to bring new people to experiencing racing for the first time. Racing can be anything you want it to be and we encourage everyone to come along and make the most of this fantastic offer”

For those wanting to get involved and attend, racegoers can walk into both the Paddock and Course Enclosures for FREE from 4pm, with the first of six races starting at 6pm.

In addition to the action on the track, the Racecourse also have live music after racing from Madness tribute band ‘The Madhouse Brothers’ starting just before 9pm.

Fixture details:

Friday 12^th May –

Gates open at 16:00pm – First of six races starts at 18:00pm

FREE entry is available into the Paddock and Course Enclosures with Club Enclosure upgrade available on the night at £15.

All accompanied u18’s come FREE into any Enclosure.

Feature race of the day: The SIS Celebrating 30 Years in Horseracing Handicap Stakes

As the nation goes ‘Racing crazy’ this weekend for the Tour De Yorkshire, down at Ripon Races it is very much ‘business as normal’ as they prepare for a different kind of racing and their first Saturday raceday of the season.

Alongside an afternoon of quality action on the track, the Racecourse will be showing full coverage of the Tour De Yorkshire alongside the jump season finale action from Sandown.

Ripon’s first Saturday meeting of the season has over £120,000 of prize money on offer, with £30,0000 up for grabs for the main event of the afternoon. The feature race ‘The Download The Free Attheraces App Handicap Stakes’, this contest for staying horses over 2 miles is often a stepping stone for potential Royal Ascot winners with Trip to Paris winning the race before winning the Ascot Gold Cup back in 2014.

James Hutchinson, Managing Director and Clerk of the Course said:

“We are delighted the Tour De Yorkshire is coming to Ripon and have worked closely with Welcome to Yorkshire to ensure our spectators will have no problems getting in or out of the Racecourse this Saturday”

Travel news with reference to Saturday’s racing and the Tour De Yorkshire: –

The Women’s race will have passed through Ripon Market Place by the time their gates open at 11.30am and the action will already be underway (our first race commences at 14.15pm) once the Men’s race enters the city (at approximately 16.15pm).

There will only be short road closures in place on the A61 at Ripley at approximately 09.30am to 10.30am and 14.15pm – 15.15pm and the main access route from the A1 is completely unaffected, with no travel restrictions whatsoever by the time the final race is completed by 17.40pm.

Other big news coming from the track is the return of our #FREEFRIDAY initiative in two weeks’ time. Last year’s event saw over 6000 racegoers turn out to enjoy a Friday evening of racing for FREE. This year’s fixture takes place on Friday 12th May, with over 6000 people already registered to attend it is set to be another landmark event.

You can keep up to date with all the latest news from the course on their social media pages, or by visiting their website.

With the British public still counting their winnings from last week’s Grand National, the flat season is well underway with Ripon kick-starting their season next week with an Easter Family Fun Day.

Alongside an afternoon of quality racing, the course is offering FREE entry and FREE entertainment for the children including a visit from the Easter Bunny for a special ‘Easter Bunny Hunt’, bouncy castles, face painting and balloon modelling!

The day will be the first day in service for the ‘Ripon Races Express’, a new free raceday shuttle bus service running from Ripon coach park in the City Centre to the Racecourse for each raceday. The service is in partnership with local company Sherwoods and has been one of many improvements to the racegoers experience over the past few years since the introduction on Ripon’s own betting operators RiponBET.

The start to the season comes after the Racecourse was recently listed in the top 11 Racecourses by Visit England as part of their national quality assured assessment scheme which also saw the Racecourse’s Club Dining Room reclaim their Excellence accolade.

The award was first issued in 2015 for achieving a score of 90% and over for their quality restaurant on customer service and the quality of the overall dining experience. Most impressively Ripon are the ONLY Racecourse in England and Wales to achieve this for 2016 out of the 60 Racecourses that were assessed.

James Hutchinson, Managing Director and Clerk of the Course said: “We are really excited to get the new season underway and it’s great to add an Easter theme to the fixture as it falls in the Easter school break. The introduction of the new shuttle bus service has been due to demand and we are really looking forward to giving something back to the community”

Other big news coming from the track is the return of their #FREEFRIDAY initiative, which saw over 6000 racegoers enjoy an evening of free racing to their Friday evening fixture. This year’s fixture takes place on Friday 12^th May, with over 5000 people already registered to attend.

You can keep up to date with all the latest news and offers from the course on their social media pages, or by visiting their website.

Fixture details:

Thursday 20^th April –

Gates open at 12.15pm – First of Seven races starts at 14.15pm
Adult entry on the day from £7 – £22
All accompanied u18’s come FREE
FREE entertainment for the children includes: Easter Bunny Hunt, Bouncy Castles, Balloon Modelling and face painting.

Feature race of the day: The Ripon Cock o’ the North Handicap – a one mile contest for horses three year old – offering £11,500 in prize money.

Ripon Racecourse is celebrating today after retaining their place amongst the top eleven racecourses in the country as part of the VisitEngland Quality Assured Racecourse Scheme.

The scheme allows VisitEngland to benchmark racecourses against other attractions, ensuring that standards of customer experience remain high in the face of competition from other sporting and leisure venues.

The national tourism boards provide a rating on the racecourse as a quality day out, taking into account efficiency and friendliness of customer service, cleanliness of facilities as well as speed, quality and efficiency of the racecourse operation.

Collaborating with VisitEngland allows racecourses to benchmark against other attractions, ensuring that standards of customer experience remain high in the face of such competition.

The top eleven in England and Wales for 2016 (listed alphabetically) were: Aintree, Ascot, Cheltenham, Chester, Doncaster, Haydock Park, Newbury, Ripon, Sedgefield, Wetherby and York.

For the RCA Excellence Accolades, there are six categories covering all aspects of the racecourse experience, with Ripon’s ‘Club Dining Room Restaurant’ being the only racecourse to secure an Accolade for a Quality Café/Restaurant.

You can read the full RCA press release here

Sir Gary Verity, Chief Executive of Welcome to Yorkshire, said:

“Horse racing is part of the lifeblood of Yorkshire – with more racecourses than any other region of the UK, nowhere is as passionate about horse racing as Yorkshire. “The county is synonymous with the sport of the kings so it comes as no surprise that four of our nine top class courses have been named in the top 11 in the country. “I’d like to congratulate those at Ripon for their hard work in making Yorkshire one of the best places in the country to watch top class horse racing.”

RCA Chief Executive Stephen Atkin said:

“Our partnership with both tourism boards gives added assurance to customers whenever they visit a racecourse. The results show that racecourses large and small can all compete on the same level when it comes to quality and that is one of the unique attractions of British racing.”

Managing Director at Ripon Racecourse, James Hutchinson, said:

“We are thrilled to have retained both our status within the top 11 and the excellence accolade for our Club Dining. For our restaurant to have to have been to be singled out and voted the best in the country by the likes of VisitEngland is incredible.”

With the summer holidays coming to a close, what better way to spend a day with the family than a day at the races for Ripon’s two-day August Bank Holiday meeting. The event which starts on Monday with a family fun day continues on Tuesday for their final evening race meeting of the season.

Very much an established part of August’s Yorkshire racing calendar, the course have a fun filled afternoon of activities planned for children in the Course Enclosure on Monday. With a variety of funfair rides and bouncy castles and a visit from the Riggamoor Mini farm as part of the afternoon’s FREE entertainment.

James Hutchinson, Managing Director and Clerk of the Course said:

Turning to the racing, the days feature race is Ripon’s only listed race of the season, ‘The Longines Irish Champions Weekend EBF Ripon Champion Two Yrs Old Trophy’ a Class 1 sprint for two-year olds over six furlongs, with a total of £30,000 prize money on offer.

The action continues on Tuesday evening featuring ‘The David Chapman Memorial Handicap’, a race that plays tribute to one of Yorkshire’s finest and well respected trainer who was sadly lost in 2011. David’s granddaughter Ruth Carr is flying the racing flag for the family and is enjoying a very successful season, having also won a race herself in the Macmillan Charity Race at York on the well-loved Dubai Dynamo

The gates on Monday open at 11.30am with the first of seven races starting at 2.10pm, with FREE entry for all accompanied under 18’s. Adult admission is available from £6 per person in the Course Enclosure, or £18 (inc admission for four) perfect for those picnics with the family.

Ripon have a break in the proceedings until their final meeting of the season on Saturday 24th September. The raceday also hosts a BBQ and Beer festival, with special guests and local suppliers Theakstons Ale of Masham and Heck Food of Bedale.
With live music from Leeds acoustic duo Strobe to accompany an afternoon of racing, it’s set to be a fantastic end to what’s been a great season.
You can keep up to date with all the latest news and offers from the course on their social media pages, or by visiting their website www.ripon-races.co.uk
Closing details

Ripon Races are a flat turf racecourse, one of nine racecourses in Yorkshire. They hold 17 race meetings in 2016, from April to September with a variety of evening, weekend and family fun race days.

The race meeting on Monday 1st August starts at 2.15pm with the gates open from 12.15pm and the last of 7 races at 5.15pm.

Tuesday’s evening race meeting on 30th August starts at 5.15pm with the gates open from 3.15pm and the last of 6 races at 7.45pm.

Ripon’s most valuable and iconic race of the season, The William Hill Great St. Wilfrid Stakes takes pride of place on a top-class card this Saturday, August 13th.

The famous Handicap for sprinters over six furlong will be the talk of the weekend’s action, with owners looking to land some of the £70,000 prize pot on offer for the big race.

It’s the most valuable raceday of the season at Yorkshire’s ‘Garden Racecourse’ with total prize money of £144,000 up for grabs. The meeting also includes fourth running of The William Hill Silver Trophy a £20,000, a ‘consolation’ race for the horses entered, but unable to get into the feature race.

After an improved sponsorship deal with William Hill, the bookmaker also adds its name to two additional races including the well-respected William Hill Ripon Horn Blower Conditions Stakes for two-year olds and a fourth race for three year olds over a mile and a half.

James Hutchinson, Managing Director and Clerk of the Course said:

“It’s one of our highlights of the season and something we build up to over a period with huge excitement. For the past five years the race has been won by Yorkshire trainers and the field is set to be full of talented Yorkshire sprinters once again”.

David Lynn, Head of Sponsorship and Partnerships at William Hill said:

“We are delighted with our enhanced sponsorship of the William Hill Great St. Wilfrid Day. Our increased contribution is a testament to the excellent relationship we enjoy with the team at Ripon racecourse which is both innovative and progressive”.

The successful owner in Saturday’s big race will receive a silver trophy depicting Ripon’s Patron Saint, St. Wilfrid, mounted on horseback along with a healthy first prize fund of over £43,575.

Contested over six furlongs, another competitive renewal is expected including several locally-trained horses; indeed this famous race has been won for the last five years by Yorkshire-trained horses. Last season’s winner, Don’t Touch (trained at Malton by Richard Fahey) followed his win at Ripon a month later by winning the William Hill Ayr Gold Cup and taking home another £112,050 making it a very fruitful few weeks for owners Nicholas Wrigley and Kevin Hart.

Racing on Saturday August 13th starts with the first of seven races at 1.50pm with entry from 11.30am. Racegoers can gain entry from just £6 per person in the ever popular Course Enclosure with FREE entry for accompanied u18’s into all enclosures.

Ripon continue their August racing calendar on Tuesday 16th August with their Alice in Wonderland Day. The dedicated family day includes lots of FREE activities for junior racegoers including a Mad Hatters Tea Party, ‘Into Wonderland’ games with Alice and friends and a fancy dress competition.

There will also be a variety of fun fair rides and a special visit from ‘Meg’ and ‘Harry’ courtesy of New Beginnings, a York based charity dedicated to retraining ex-racehorses for life after racing.

You can keep up to date with all the latest news and offers from the course on their social media pages, or by visiting their website.

Closing details

Ripon Races are a flat turf racecourse, one of nine racecourses in Yorkshire. They hold 17 race meetings in 2016, from April to September with a variety of evening, weekend and family fun race days.

The race meeting on Saturday 13th August starts with the first of seven races at 1.50pm with entry from 11.30am.

As usual at Ripon, accompanied children under 18 years of age are admitted FREE of charge into all enclosures. Tickets can be pre-booked for discounts or adult admission is available on the gates from £6 per person in the Course Enclosure, £16 in the Paddock and £25 for the Club Enclosure.

the British author of the famed children’s fantasy novel, Alice’s’ Adventures in Wonderland.
Carroll is also well-¬known for his obsession with madness and, it seems, it’s rubbing off. With a new Disney sequel adaptation Alice Through the Looking Glass, released in May and a themed ‘Alice in Wonderland Day’ at Ripon Races scheduled for August 16, it seems everybody’s mad about Alice.
Marketing Executive, Erin Boswell of Ripon Races¬ who also run the popular ‘William Hill Great St Wilfrid’ race day on August 13¬ – admits to going slightly loopy with excitement for the ‘Alice in Wonderland Day’ event, which is free to all under 18s and could be said to be getting ‘curiouser and curiouser’ each year.
“The book – Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland -¬ has a special place in the hearts of us here at Ripon Races” said Erin, “and we knew the new Disney film was due out, so we thought it would be brilliant to have an ‘Alice in Wonderland Day’ for the whole family to come along to; it’ll be great fun for all ages.”
As well as enjoying an afternoon of racing, little ones can go crazy with a ‘Mad Hatter’s Tea Party’, tea cup rides, bouncy castles, balloon modelling and face painting. Make sure your kids start prepping for the fancy dress competition for both over and under 6s as there’s the promise of ‘wonderful prizes’ to be announced. Adults need not get ‘down, down, down’ in the dumps though; with prizes for ‘Best Adult Costume’ for over 18s and perhaps a little bet on the gee-¬gees, everybody is catered for.

Lewis Carroll wrote Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland in 1865 and the sequel Through the Looking-¬Glass in 1871, yet the stories have remained firm favourites with readers for over 150 years.
Although there are lots of thoughts on what could constitute hidden meanings behind Carroll’s novels, one popular theory is that the city of Ripon inspired the many quirks of Carroll’s more evocative characters and moments. Sources say the carvings of a rabbit and a griffon in Ripon Cathedral—where Carroll’s father was a Canon— were the inspiration for some of the characters in the novel and the many sink holes in and around the Ripon area could represent the rabbit hole which Alice fell down, in Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.
As for the obsession with madness? According to the Lewis Carroll Society – a member organisation that encourages research into the life and works of Lewis Carroll— Carroll’s uncle was a ‘Commissioner in Lunacy’ and the author was known to have a keen interest in Victorian Psychiatry.
Whatever the history, Ripon Races is sure to make for you go ‘mad for it’. Tickets for ‘Alice in Wonderland Day’ at Ripon Races racecourse are available here or by following this link.
You can keep up to date with all the latest news and offers from the course on their social media pages, or by visiting their website.

With the summer holidays now in full flow, what better way to spend a day with the family than at Ripon’s annual ‘Children’s’ Day on Monday. The event held this year on the 1st August, not only has FREE entry for all accompanied under 18’s but there are lots of FREE fun and goodies too!

Very much an established part of August’s Yorkshire racing calendar, the course have a fun filled afternoon of activities planned for children in the Course Enclosure. The main highlight; the National Festival Circus, will be performing throughout the afternoon, along with a variety of funfair rides and bouncy castles as part of the afternoon’s FREE entertainment.

James Hutchinson, Managing Director and Clerk of the Course said:

Turning to the racing, the days feature race is ‘The Armstrong Memorial Handicap Stakes’ a race for three-year-olds over six furlongs. This year commemorates the 60th running of the Armstrong Memorial race and is supported by the Armstrong Family, one of the country’s most famous racing dynasties.

Colin Armstrong, son of late trainer Gerald, is an active director of Ripon Race Company and is also the genius behind the much loved local tourist attraction ‘The Forbidden Corner’ at Middleham.

The gates on Monday open at 12.15pm with the first of seven races starting at 2.15pm, with FREE entry for all accompanied under 18’s. Adult admission is available from £6 per person in the Course Enclosure, or £18 (inc admission for four) perfect for those picnics with the family.

Ripon next race for their ‘William Hill Great St Wilfrid’ meeting on Saturday 13th August, it’s their most valuable raceday of the season and is one of the most highly anticipated sprints of the season.

You can keep up to date with all the latest news and offers from the course on their social media pages, or by visiting their website.
Closing details

Ripon Races are a flat turf racecourse, one of nine racecourses in Yorkshire. They hold 17 race meetings in 2016, from April to September with a variety of evening, weekend and family fun race days.

The race meeting on Monday 1st August starts at 2.15pm with the gates open from 12.15pm and the last of 7 races at 5.15pm.

Website: www.ripon-races.co.uk

Ripon host the opening meeting of the 2016 ‘Go Racing in Yorkshire Racing Summer Festival’ this Saturday 16TH July, as Yorkshire gears up for the biggest event of the summer.

The Festival now in its 9th year – which aims to showcase the best of what Yorkshire racing has to offer, concludes at Pontefract on Sunday week, with a day’s racing at each of the Yorkshire Racecourses omitting Wetherby who are currently undertaking building renovations.

With the schools now broken up for the summer, what better way to celebrate and join in the festivities with a family day at the races. With adult entry from just £6 and FREE entry for all accompanied under 18’s, why not pack the picnic and the whole family together for a great summers day out.

‘Festival Freddie’ the Go Racing in Yorkshire mascot will be making an appearance and available for photos with the children from when the gates open at 11.30am. Local artist Darren Bird will also be on course, making a start on his unique piece of art depicting all nine Yorkshire Racecourses, the piece will then be auctioned at the ‘Leger Legends Dinner’ at Doncaster in September.

James Hutchinson, Managing Director and Clerk of the Course said:

“The festival is one of our highlights and busiest days of the season. It’s great that all the Yorkshire courses unite once a year to showcase what Yorkshire has to offer and we are very proud to get the festivities started here at Ripon ”

Emma White, General Manager of Go Racing in Yorkshire said:

“The Go Racing in Yorkshire Summer Festival is set to be the best yet. Apart from 8 days of top class racing each course has different spectacular entertainment to offer. And we always kick off in style at Ripon; the atmosphere is always electric at the garden course with a fabulous festival feel!”

Racing at Ripon on Saturday features a seven race card worth a whopping £75,000 in prize money, with the principal race ‘The Ripon Bell-Ringer Handicap Stakes’ a contest over a mile and a half offering £25,000 in prize money. The day also features The F.B. Taylor 50th Anniversary Cup, celebrating 50 years in business for the Ripon based cable contractors. The late Barry Taylor, founder of F.B. Taylor was a regular Ripon racegoer and annual badgeholder at the Yorkshire course for many years.

Musical entertainment on Saturday is provided by The Otley Brass band, while Ripon’s permanent giant screen will enable racegoers to see even more of the action along with their extra screen located in their Paddock BBQ area. There are bouncy castles and inflatable rides for the children (weather permitting) in the Course Enclosure, along with the Ripon’s two permanent playgrounds.

You can keep up to date with all the latest news and offers from the course on their social media pages, or by visiting their website.

Ripon Races are gearing up for a busy few months and the action starts on Monday 4th July with their ‘Blues Brothers Evening’, what better way to dust off that Monday Blues and start your week on a high!

With musical entertainment on Ripon’s bandstand a regular feature at their summer race meetings, Ripon are turning up the gears and welcoming back of the UK’s finest Blues Brothers tribute bands ‘The Jailhouse Blues Brothers’.

The duo will be performing all the hits between races, before performing after racing at around 9.15pm. The course are also staging a variation on the popular ‘Best Dressed Competition’ and are encouraging racegoers to get in the spirit and come dressed as their favourite character from the film. With some great prizes for the top three, including Ripon Races tickets, Lightwater Valley passes and more to be announced!

James Hutchinson, Managing Director and Clerk of the Course said:

“We introduced our Blues Brothers evening last year and it was a roaring success, it was great to see everyone getting dressed up and in the spirit of the evening. The band really are fantastic and it brings a real element of fun to the evening’

There will also be six races on the track with the feature race of the evening, ‘The Wilmot-Smith Memorial Handicap Stakes’ attracting Class 3 runners over a mile and a quarter with a prize fund of £12,000.

Ripon are gearing up for their biggest crowd of the season on Saturday 16th July when they open the ‘Go Racing in Yorkshire Summer Festival’, a celebration of Yorkshire racing over 9 days of action in our county.

You can keep up to date with all the latest news and offers from the course on their social media pages, or by visiting their website.

As most of the British Flat racing fans flocked to Royal Ascot last week, on Thursday Ripon staged their own ‘Royal Ascot of the North Ladies’ Day’ with local lady Michelle Metcalfe being crowned ‘Ripon’s Best Dressed Lady 2016′.
One of the highlights on Ripon Races season, Ladies’ Day is certainly up there with one of the Harrogate District’s social events of the summer and this year was no different as over 3500 people turned out for Thursday afternoons race meeting.

The day had a slight sporting distraction and it wasn’t the normal fanfare and glamour of Royal Ascot, who also host their Ladies’ Day the same day. With Roy Hodgson’s England team taking on Wales in the Euro 2016 group clash at 2pm, it was clear that a lot of Ripon’s loyal racegoers would be elsewhere cheering on the England. But the racecourse embraced the game and the Racecourse even had their own dedicated screen to show all the live action from the game, after all England is very patriotic about its football team. Although it did look like a lot of women did lose track of their ‘fellas’ for roughly around ninety minutes!

The day was a real mixture of sporting action and glamour, as over three hundred guests enjoyed the Racecourse’s VIP Hospitality Marquee and all other hospitality packages were sold out weeks before. The guests in the marquee enjoyed live music from duo ‘Frankly Jazz’ and were entertained before racing by magician to the stars ‘Paul Lytton’. They were then served a three course luncheon before afternoon tea after a buzz fizz reception on arrival.

On the track, Middleham trainer Mark Johnston started off the preceding’s with a winner under Franny Norton aboard ‘White Tower’ before completing a winning trainer/jockey double in the feature race of the day ‘ The Ladies Day Handicap’ with ‘Sailerais Mass’.

One of the main highlights on the track was the 30th running of ’The Beaumont Robinson Ladies’ Derby’, Ripon’s only race of the season for lady amateur riders. Beaumont Robinson, financial advisors based at Shipley, Bradford celebrated thirty years of sponsorship of the race with their annual staff outing. The race was won by Micky Hammond’s ‘Pertuis’ who also won the race back in 2014, winning lady rider Catherine Walton who works for Hammond based at Middleham, was thrilled to have won one of the main races in the racing calendar for lady riders.
As always, one of the main events of Ladies’ Day is the ‘Best Dressed’ and ‘Best Hat’ competitions. Over fifty ladies took part in the annual competition’s which were this year judged by, local Stray FM radio DJ Will Smith and Milliner Jenny Roberts. The team had the difficult job of selection their final ten, before selecting the winner of the ‘Best Hat’ before the final three was whittled down to one lucky lady.

Daphne Corbin took the crown of ‘Ripon’s Best Hat’ with the stunning navy headpiece and in return received a private ‘Millinery Taster Course’ for herself and 3 friends at the studio of Harrogate Milliner Jenny Robert, where they will design and create a headpiece of their very own and be introduced to the spectacular world of making hats.

In the ‘Best Dressed’ competition final it was local racegoer Michelle Metcalfe from Norwood, Harrogate who was crowned as ‘Ripon’s Best Dressed Lady 2016’ taking home the grand prize of £1500. Michelle who was wearing a stunning dress by Eliza Wyke who is a dressmaker in Harrogate, shoes were from the bridal boutique in Harrogate and she had them and her handbag dyed to match her hat. Her gloves were from Catherine Smith Vintage.
Michelle will now go on to represent Ripon at the Yorkshire ‘Best Dressed Competition’ in October . The prizes for the overall winner includes a luxury two night break in a Spa Suite with treatments included at the Best Western Premier Mount Pleasant Hotel, Doncaster, an exquisite diamond ring, with a value of £2,500 courtesy of loveVintagediamonds.com and a £500 voucher for leading designer boutique Yasmine of Bawtry & Epworth.

The race is the all down to the work of North Yorkshire racing welfare legend Raye Wilkinson, who has been working in racing for a remarkable 50 years this summer.
Wilkinson was previously a social worker in Catterick Garrison, but a chance meeting with Middleham trainer Ernie Weymes in 1966 led to his involvement in racing. He instantly fell in love with horse racing and has never looked back. By October of that year Wilkinson was a full-time worker for the Stable Lads Welfare Trust, and the office in Middleham was opened.
Raye has since moved on but still works in Middleham for Mark Johnston Racing as their dedicated welfare officer. He continues to support up and coming jockeys by creating the very unique race for Apprentice riders which takes place at Ripon on Wednesday evening, 15th June.
“If anything, I’ve left my mark by creating a welfare service, in 1978 I looked at racing from a stable lads’ point of view, and realised there was very little welfare cover for them,”
“I am so passionate about helping those working in racing from the ground up and this race is what that is all about, recognising those wonderful moments in a young jockeys career, however long that may be” said Wilkinson
The race which is the first race on Wednesday evenings card at Ripon, is this year named in recognition of Sam Brown. Sam was a great friend of Raye and was one of the driving forces behind Raye’s love affair with racing.
Raye’s hard work has also been well recognised within the industry, having won the ‘Go Racing in Yorkshire ‘Lifetime achievement award’ back in 2010 and most recently being one three finalists for the Rory Macdonald Community award at the annual Godolphin Stable and Stud Awards in January.
Wilkinson who has organised the race for six years now, will never forget the day Oisin Murphy won the race back in 2013. Frustratingly Murphy who has since gone onto become one of the nation’s top flat jockeys, had a winner just three days before the race at Salisbury but conditions of the race meant that as the declaration dates had passed he still qualified to ride in the race.
Raye often refers to a fitting quote by Charles Trigg who rode an impressive 843 winners after his first ever winner in Newbury in 1905, and is best known for winning the Epsom Oaks aboard Rosedrop in 1910.
“Nobody but an apprentice who has done it will ever know what it means to ride his first winner. No words can explain it. You walk on air. You do not care what happens. You have done it. You have ridden a winner, and nothing can ever take that away from you” Charles Trigg, (1881 – 1945)
We look forward to seeing some more future stars start their careers with a first win in the saddle, what is sure is that it will be a day to remember for one happy jockey.
Closing details

Ripon Races are a flat turf racecourse, one of nine racecourses in Yorkshire. They hold 17 race meetings in 2016, from April to September with a variety of evening, weekend and family fun race days.

The race meeting on Wednesday 15th June starts with the first of six races at 6.30pm with entry from 4.30pm. The course will have live music on the bandstand from ‘The Tom Roberts Jazz Band’ and the course will also be showing the Romania v Switzerland game on their dedicated football screen.

As usual at Ripon, accompanied children under 18 years of age are admitted FREE of charge into all enclosures. Tickets can be pre-booked for discounts or adult admission is available on the gates from £6 per person in the Course Enclosure, £14 in the Paddock and £22 for the Club Enclosure.

As the nation gears up for a week of action at Royal Ascot, Ripon Races are getting into the spirit with their very own ‘Royal Ascot of the North’ at Yorkshire’s Garden Racecourse.

The North Yorkshire racecourse host two-days of action including their annual Ladies’ Day on the same day as the Berkshire course.

The North Yorkshire course, otherwise known as ‘Yorkshire’s Garden Racecourse’ is set to host their annual two-day Ladies’ Day meeting, with an evening of racing on Wednesday 15th, before they host their Ladies’ Day on Thursday 16th June on the same day as the Berkshire course.

As well as the fantastic action on the track, the Racecourse are getting behind the England Football Team as they play Wales as part of their Euro 2016 group matches. The Racecourse have a dedicated ‘Football zone’ with a big screen showing all the action and build up from the game that kicks off at 2pm.

One of the main highlights of the days off the day is the traditional ‘Best Hat and Best Dressed Competition’, with some absolutely stunning prizes up for grabs. The lucky lady crowned ‘Ripon’s Best Dressed Lady’ will take home a cheque for £1500 and will represent Ripon at Yorkshire’s Grand Final held at Doncaster in October, where she will then have the chance to win the overall prize of a luxury spa weekend, £500 of Fashion Vouchers & Diamond Jewellery worth £2500

Exclusively for the winner of our ‘Best Hat’ competition, one lucky lady will receive a private ‘Millinery Taster Course’ for herself and 3 friends courtesy of Milliner Jenny Roberts.

Turning to the racing, Thursday’s Ladies Day’ theme is also replicated on the track, with one of the highlights of the seven-race programme being The Ladies Derby – a Handicap contest for lady amateur riders – sponsored for the 30th year by Beaumont Robinson – independent financial advisers of Shipley.

Wednesday evening meeting features six races including the ‘Sam Brown Apprentice Handicap Stakes’. This is the only race in British Racing which is only open to Apprentice Jockeys who have never ridden a winner.
James Hutchinson, Managing Director and Clerk of the Course said:

“Ladies’ Day is such a wonderful day, the competitions are great fun and it’s wonderful to see everyone getting dressed up and in the spirit of ‘Royal Ascot’. We will also be showing the England team against Wales Euro game and hope lots of people can join us for a great fun filled day!”

You can keep up to date with all the latest news and offers from the course on their social media pages, or by visiting their website.

With the flat turf racing season now in full swing, it’s all action at Ripon Races this June and it all starts with two days of ‘half-term racing’ on Wednesday evening & Thursday afternoon at Yorkshire’s Garden Racecourse.

Horse Racing is the fastest growing social sporting activity and what better way than to enjoy a summers evening than with the whole family, especially as at Ripon all accompanied under 18’s get in for FREE.

Wednesday evening’s feature race is ‘The Directors Cup’ a contest for horses aged 4 y-o and upwards over six furlongs. The evening card features six races in total, with the first at 6.30pm giving punters plenty of time to get down after work. There is also live music on the evening from Leeds acoustic duo ‘Strobe’ who will be performing an array of much loved classics on the bandstand.

Thursday’s feature race is ‘The Weatherbys VAT Services Handicap Stakes’, a contest for horses aged 4 y-o and upwards over a mile. The race was won last year by the Jedd O’ Keefe trained ‘Instant Attraction’. The horse has since come second in a couple of high profile handicap’s and the race should produce yet another horse to follow for the future.

The racing continues in two weeks’ time as the nation gears up for Royal Ascot, and the North Yorkshire course is set to host their annual two-day Ladies’ Day meeting on 15th & 16th June. In fact, they even host their Ladies Day on the very same day as Royal Ascot making it the ‘Royal Ascot of the North’.

As usual at Ripon, accompanied children under 18 years of age are admitted FREE of charge into all enclosures. Tickets can be pre-booked for discounts or adult admission is available on the gates from £6 per person in the Course Enclosure, £14 in the Paddock and £22 for the Club Enclosure.

James Hutchinson, Managing Director and Clerk of the Course said:

“Evening racing at this time of year is a fantastic way to get together with friends or family. We’re looking forward to having Strobe with us for some live music; it really does set the scene for an enjoyable evening”

You can keep up to date with all the latest news and offers from the course on their social media pages, or by visiting their website.

Closing details

Ripon Races are a flat turf racecourse, one of nine racecourses in Yorkshire. They hold 17 race meetings in 2016, from April to September with a variety of evening, weekend and family fun race days.

The race meeting on Wednesday 1st June starts with the first of six races at 6.30pm with entry from 4.30pm, there is live music after racing from acoustic due ‘Strobe’.

Thursday’s afternoon racing starts with the first of seven races at 2.20pm with entry from 12.20pm.

Continuing this month’s May Madness at Ripon Races, they are set to finish off in style this Thursday with an evening of racing and live music from ‘The Madhouse Brothers’; a collective act featuring classic ska, funk and all out madness!

The duo are not only performing in-between races, they will be playing at 9pm after racing to finish off what is set to be a fantastic evening of action both on and off the track.

Turning to the racing, the feature race of the evening is ‘The RiponBET Our Profits Stay in Racing Handicap Stakes’ a contest for 3 y-o over a mile. The card features six races in total, with the first at 6.15pm giving punters plenty of time to get to start their weekend early and enjoy the party.

The meeting is new to Ripon’s racing calendar for 2016 and is the second of six evening meetings this season at Yorkshire’s Garden Racecourse. Things are really starting to hot up at Ripon as in a few weeks’ time the North Yorkshire course is set to host their annual two-day Ladies’ Day meeting on 15th & 16th June, the same week as Royal Ascot.

As usual at Ripon, accompanied children under 18 years of age are admitted free of charge into all enclosures. Tickets can be pre-booked for discounts or adult admission is available on the gates from £6 per person in the Course Enclosure, £14 in the Paddock and £22 for the Club Enclosure.

James Hutchinson, Managing Director and Clerk of the Course said:

“Evening racing at this time of year is a fantastic way to get together with friends or family. We have started to introduce a new string of great live music acts after racing and have been looking forward to the Madhouse Brothers joining us for what is set to be a real party! ”

OFFER – The racecourse are also offering £5 off entry through a SMS ticketing campaign, simply text RIPON MAY to 60777 to get £5 off either Club or Paddock admission.

You can keep up to date with all the latest news and offers from the course on their social media pages, or by visiting their website.

Closing details

Ripon Races are a flat turf racecourse, one of nine racecourses in Yorkshire. They hold 17 race meetings in 2016, from April to September with a variety of evening, weekend and family fun race days.

The race meeting on Thursday 19th May starts at 6.15pm with the gates open from 4.15pm and the last of 6 races at 8.55pm before live music from 9pm after racing by the Madhouse Brothers.

Website: www.ripon-races.co.uk

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ripon.racecourse/

Twitter: @riponraces

For further information contact:

Following on from the success of last week’s landmark FREE FRIDAY meeting, Yorkshire’s Garden Racecourse hold their first Family Day of their season this Sunday, with their annual ‘Traditional Family Fun Day’.

Complementing Ripon’s family friendly Racecourse status, the day focuses on entertainment for the family with their Traditional Family day. There will be a wide variety of FREE attractions suitable for all ages (adults included), with Punch & Judy from Professional Dan Slater, Magic shows, Face painting & Balloon Modelling, Coconut Shy and lots of other fairground rides alongside a classic brass band live on the bandstand. All of the Childrens entertainment will be located in the Course Enclosure; ensuring youngsters have a fun-packed day alongside enjoying the horse racing.

As usual at Ripon, accompanied children under 18 years of age are admitted free of charge into all enclosures. Adult admission is available from £6 per person in the Course Enclosure, or £18 (inc admission for four adults) to drive the car into the Course Enclosure – perfect for those picnics with the family.

James Hutchinson, Managing Director and Clerk of the Course said:

“Family fun days are a big part of our racing calendar and our Traditional Family Fun Day is great way to introduce the next generation of racegoers to racing at Ripon. With a coconut shy and Punch n Judy shows to name just a few of the FREE attractions for the kids, it really is the ultimate family day out”

Turning to the racing, the day features’ The M.C.H. Hutchinson Memorial E.B.F ‘Breeders Series’ Fillies’ Handicap Stakes’ a £20,000 Handicap contest for fillies and mares over the sprint distance of six furlongs, held in memory of the late Mr Michael Hutchinson who was the Managing Director and Company Secretary of the Ripon Race Company Ltd between Jan 1997 and August 2007. The afternoons feature race ‘The Ripon, Yorkshire’s ‘Garden Racecourse’ Handicap Stakes over one mile offers prize money of £22,000.

The race was won last year by Ruth Carr’s ‘Dubai Dynamo’, a regular runner at Ripon. Ruth who trains at Sillington near York is also granddaughter of legendary Yorkshire trainer David Chapman; Ruth is also hosting a fundraising hospitality event on the day as part of her fundraising to riding in the Macmillan Charity Race at York.

There are still places available for the VIP package that includes a exclusive stable visit in the morning, before taking your place in a private room with a three course meal and an opportunity to present the trophy to the winning connections of her sponsored race and select the ‘Best Turned Out’.

Tickets are limited so contact Ruth on 07721 926772 or ruth@ruthcarrracing.co.uk ASAP.

The gates on Sunday open at 12.00pm with the first of seven rates starting at 2.00pm, with live music on the bandstand from the Reeth Brass Band.

There are not many sports that allow families the option to bring their own picnic and provide free kids entrainment, so come and see what all the fuss is about and see what Yorkshire racing has to offer.

You can keep up to date with all the latest news and offers from the course on their social media pages, or by visiting their website.

Closing details

Ripon Races are a flat turf racecourse, one of nine racecourses in Yorkshire. They hold 17 race meetings in 2016, from April to September with a variety of evening, weekend and family fun race days.

The race meeting on Sunday 15th May starts at 2.00pm with the gates open from 12.00pm and the last of 7 races at 5.15pm.

Website: www.ripon-races.co.uk

There’s plenty of exciting sporting action coming up over the next few weeks but surely nothing is more thrilling than Ripon’s FREE FRIDAY NIGHT RACING on Friday, 6th May.

Yorkshire’s multiple award winning racecourse is gearing up for a landmark FREE evening of racing as they invite racegoers old and new and of all ages and regions to enjoy their first FREE entry race meeting.

They are literarily opening their Paddock and Course turnstile gates to the public for free with no hidden terms or catches! Ripon want to embrace the nation’s love for the sport and override the often stereotypical view that racing is for an elite group or isn’t suitable for families. Ripon very much fly’s the flag as a family friendly venue with free admission for accompanied u18’s all year round.

James Hutchinson, Managing Director and Clerk of the Course said:

“Racing can be anything you want it to be! A relaxed picnic day with family or friends, a special day out to celebrate an occasion or come with tenner in your back pocket for a few races. It really is a great day out and can be whatever you make it to be a great experience for all to enjoy”

“Whether you’re a seasoned racegoer or have never been, we’re encouraging everyone to come and join the party”

If the FREE entry isn’t enough of a reason to go along, you can pre-register on their website to be in with a chance of winning free entry to the rest of the season too.

The gates on Friday open at 3.55pm with the first of seven rates starting at 5.55pm – the free entry also gives first time racegoers the opportunity come along after a long week of work and start the weekend early! FREE entry will be available all evening, with live music on the bandstand for those who will be arriving late after work.

Ripon who are only three meetings into their summer racing season, are not new to unique and whacky initiatives. They are well known for their big crowd Saturday’s and family fun days alongside offering some of Yorkshire’s most competitive flat turf racing.

They hold their ‘Traditional Family Day’ later in the month on Sunday, 15th May when they offer FREE admission and children’s entertainment for accompanied u18’s to encourage families to enjoy the second highest attended sport for families in the UK.

There are not many sports that allow families the option to bring their own picnic, offer free entry and provide additional kids entrainment for under 18’s.

So come and see what all the fuss is about and see what Yorkshire racing has to offer.

You can keep up to date with all the latest news and offers from the course on their social media pages, or by visiting their website.

Ripon’s second meeting of the season takes place on Saturday (April 23) as does their anticipated St George’s Day Celebrations.

To get into the festivities, the Racecourse are offering all those named ‘George’ (or near enough) FREE entry (with valid I.D) into the Paddock Enclosure and are encouraging racegoers to dress in typical St Georges Day fashion to celebrate a good old English day at the races. There are some extra festivities booked, with face painters at the ready and a few other surprises waiting in the wings.

Added to that, this St George’s Day marks a very special centenary event as exactly 100 years ago this coming weekend, a film was made on Ripon Racecourse that recorded the people of Ripon, along with the troops stationed here at the time, holding a day of sporting fun on the Racecourse, shortly before the regiments were to leave for Flanders. The Racecourse has been working with Yorkshire Film Archive to organise a special screening as a ‘once in a century’ opportunity to commemorate those troops who fought and gave their lives in the First World War. *See additional press release attached*

The seven-race programme – set to begin at 1-50 p.m. – offers significant prize money of £130,000 with the racing highlight of the afternoon being The Download The Free Attheraces App Handicap Stakes (a £35,000 contest for stayers over two miles).

The winner of last season’s feature race, the Ed Dunlop trained ‘Trip To Paris’ went onto hit racing headlines around the globe. He went onto win the ‘Betway Chester Cup’ before being supplemented for the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot and dusting off some of the best horses in the land. He won in Caulfield, Australia before completing a stunning season finishing sixth in the Melbourne Cup.

The card also features two £25,000 races – The Visit attheraces.com/punchestown Handicap Stakes for sprinters over six furlongs and The RiponBET Our Profit Stay in Racing Handicap Stakes over one mile and a half.

James Hutchinson, Managing Director and Clerk of the Course said: “As a traditional Racecourse it only felt right to get behind the national celebrations for St Georges Day. We have some fantastic things lined up for the crowd to get into the festivities and with an attractive card of racing. it’s sure to be a day to remember. ”

“As well as the racing, the chance to honour and remember troops who were stationed in Ripon one hundred years ago, before heading off to fight at The Somme is such an important moment – and it is astonishing that we can actually see the Racecourse stands in the film, and that our race-goers on Saturday will be standing in exactly the same spot where those troops stood, one hundred years ago”

Race-goers will be able to follow all of the action on the course’s new permanent giant screen, along with the main races from the final meeting of the Jumps season from Sandown Park, including the bet365 Gold Cup Chase.

As always at Ripon, there is musical entertainment from the bandstand provided by the Wetherby & District Silver Band, and a selection of inflatables for young race-goers in the Course Enclosure (weather permitting) along with playgrounds in Course and Paddock Enclosures.

You can keep up to date with all the latest news and offers from the course on their social media pages, or by visiting their website

The first meeting of 2016 at Ripon – Yorkshire’s ‘Garden Racecourse’- takes place on Thursday (April 14), when racing is scheduled to begin at 2-00 p.m with a contest for two-year-olds supported by both The Nag’s Head at Pickhill and The European Breeders Fund.

Ripon’s season on the Flat this summer consists of 17 days’ racing and Thursday’s programme features The Ripon ‘Cock O’ The North’ Handicap Stakes (a contest over one mile for three-year-olds) that refers to the Northern Flat Jockeys’ Championship.

The title was won last season by Tim Easterby’s retained Jockey David Allan, who was also leading Jockey at the track. Malton-based Richard Fahey was the top trainer last season at the course after an outstanding season, both competitions are based on a points system based on winners along with second and third places.

The PPR Foundation Handicap Stakes, a race for sprinters over six furlongs refers to the fund-raising efforts on Thursday of The PPR Foundation Brain Tumour Research Project, a national charity based in Harrogate. The Peter Roberts Memorial Handicap (six furlongs) is also sponsored in support of PPR Foundation. The Go Racing in Yorkshire Future Stars Series, now in its fourth year is a series of races for young riders on the flat throughout Yorkshire. Previous winners Gary Mahon, Megan Carberry and Josh Doyle have both gone onto have blossoming careers.

Race-goers will be able to follow all of the action on the course’s permanent giant screen, along with coverage of Newmarket’s Craven Meeting.

Ripon next race on Saturday 23rd April for their St George’s Day Celebrations, including FREE entry for racegoers named George. For more information please visit their website.

With the British turf flat racing season now underway, the recently crowned ‘Best Small Racecourse in the North’ is set to open their gates for the opening day of their 2016 season and a jam packed summer of action.
It’s not necessarily been a quiet winter at ‘Yorkshire’s Garden Racecourse’, with substantial investments taking place around the course including a brand new 40msq LED big screen and a large resurfacing project to the front of the Club and Paddock Stands.
With 17 race meetings ahead in 2016, the Racecourse has a variety of evening, Saturday and family fun day fixtures up until September.
Ripon’s racing season starts next Thursday, 14th April with an afternoon of racing before their St Georges Day Celebrations on Saturday 23rd April. As part of their celebrations, the Racecourse are offering all those named ‘George’ (or near enough) FREE entry in the Paddock Enclosure and are encouraging racegoers to dress in typical St Georges Day fashion to celebrate a good old English day out at the races.
As part of an initiative to encourage first time racegoers, Ripon are also hosting a new FREE Friday evening fixture on 6th May – giving those new to racing an opportunity to see what racing is all about!
The course has been celebrating off the track after recently being named as ‘Best Small Racecourse in Northern England’ by the Racegoers Club, just one of three accolades given to the course in recent weeks.
The North Yorkshire course was listed in the top 12 UK racecourses as part of the Visit England Quality Assured Racecourse Scheme, the national tourism boards provide a rating that takes into account efficiency and friendliness of customer service as well as cleanliness of facilities. Ripon’s Club Dining Room was also one of three UK courses given a special award for its dining experience as part of a new RCA Excellence Accolade scheme based on Racegoers experience.
James Hutchinson, Managing Director and Clerk of the Course said: “The recent accolades are a real boost, especially with such a small team here at Ripon. We are all excited about the up and coming season with some great new initiatives lined up. We want to encourage those who have never been racing to come along and see for themselves.
You can keep up to date with all the latest news and offers from the course on their social media pages, or by visiting their website.

Ripon Racecourse has today received a national RCA Excellence Accolade for its Club Dining Room.
It also takes its place for the first time amongst the top dozen racecourses in the country, according to the VisitEngland assessment scheme.
The national tourism boards provide a rating that takes into account efficiency and friendliness of customer service as well as cleanliness of facilities. All racecourses scored the minimum rating required to be classed as ‘good’. Collaborating with VisitEngland allows racecourses to benchmark against other attractions, ensuring that standards of customer experience remain high in the face of such competition.
For the RCA Excellence Accolades, there are six categories covering all aspects of the racecourse experience, with Ripon securing an Accolade for its Club Dining Room Restaurant in their Club Stand. Ripon stand alongside Musselburgh and Kempton who have also received the award out of 59 Racecourses in the UK.
RCA Chief Executive, Stephen Atkin, said:
“Once again our racecourses have demonstrated that they stand up well when compared to other attractions across Britain. We are very proud of the service and value for money that all of our racecourses offer and this is backed up by the results from VisitEngland and VisitScotland.”
“Our partnership with the tourism board, it allows us to offer customers a guarantee of quality whenever they visit a racecourse. The results show that racecourses large and small can all compete on the same level when it comes to quality and that is one of the unique attractions of British racing.”
Pam Foden, Head of Industry Development at VisitEngland said:
“Our racecourses are incredibly popular, both for visitors at home and from abroad. The Quality Assured Racecourse Scheme is an excellent way for racegoers to feel confident that a day at the races will be a quality experience that meets, and in many cases exceeds, expectations.
The RCA Excellence Accolades reflect the high standards of quality found at racecourses across the country, recognising the wonderful ways that racecourses are going above and beyond the call of duty to ensure racegoers enjoy their day out.”
Managing Director at Ripon Racecourse, James Hutchinson, said:
“We are delighted to be recognised in this way. It is a great tribute to all of our staff and racecourse partners who have worked very hard to achieve this result. It gives us another target to work towards during the forthcoming season

Ripon Racecourse is proud to announce it has retained its crown as ‘Best Small Racecourse in Northern England’ once again for 2015. After being awarded the title in 1996, 2003, 2009, 2011 & 2014, Yorkshire’s Garden Racecourse is the first racecourse in the ‘Small North’ category to win the award in back to back years.

These prestigious awards are always eagerly anticipated by the racecourses. With the Club’s 5,000 strong membership going racing on average over 30 times per year, and travelling far and wide thanks to the Club’s extensive concession scheme and comprehensive diary of social events, no-one is better qualified to reward the worthy national and regional winners.

This year’s award follows substantial maintenance and refurbishment work over the past few years which has seen Ripon invest in various new bar facilities and the introduction of their own on-course betting operator ‘RiponBET’. Their 2016 season which starts with an afternoon of racing on Thursday 14th April, before their St George’s Day celebrations on Saturday 24th April. The Board of Directors is committed to continuing investment to keep building on the great quality racing and functionality of the racecourse. This winters project has seen a complete resurfacing of the hard standing concrete in front of both the Paddock and Club Stands.

The racecourse also invested this winter in a brand new 40 msq big screen through MediaPoint. The screen has replaced their permanent big screen which was the first to be installed at a UK Racecourse back in 2002.

James Hutchinson, Managing Director & Clerk of the Course commented, “Back to back wins of this award is a real credit to the work put in by all the team at Ripon and gives us a target to continue aspiring to.”

Members of the official club for racing fans in Britain voted for Cheltenham as their number one racecourse for 2015. The vote across the 5,000-strong membership of the Racegoers Club saw the Prestbury Park track take the honour for the 12th year in a row despite ongoing redevelopment throughout 2015.

Ripon’s 2015 season comes to a resounding conclusion this Saturday (September 26) with a quality seven-race programme at Yorkshire’s ‘Garden Racecourse’, scheduled to begin at 2-05p.m, with the course celebrating the end of another successful season with a Pop-Up Beer festival and live music.

Getting into the spirit of the 2015 Rugby World Cup, the racecourse have teamed up with the tournaments partners Heineken and local brewery Theakstons of Masham to help racegoers get behind the England Ruby team for their World Cup campaign. Although the racecourse isn’t showing the fixture which starts after racing at 8pm, a day at the races is certainly a great way to spend the afternoon before cheering on the boys take on Wales in what is set to be the pick of England’s qualifiers.

The Theakstons Pop-Up Beer festival located in a marquee on the Paddock lawn will have a wide range of ales on offer from the Masham-based brewery, with Heineken providing a selection of lagers and ciders. Local musician Lewis Fieldhouse will also be performing in the ‘Beer tent’ throughout the afternoon.

Turning to the racing, the principal race on the card is The Ripon Cathedral City Of The Dales Handicap Stakes, a contest for sprinters over six furlongs, offering prize money of £30,000 with the chief supporting races being The Theakstons Legendary Ales Handicap Stakes (one mile and a half). Other races include The Ripon Land Rover Nursery Handicap Stakes (for two-year-olds over one mile) and The Michael Raby Memorial Apprentice Handicap Stakes (for three-year-olds and over over 6f).

Saturday’s meeting will be the first raceday where Ripon’s brand new big screen will be in use. Ripon made the headlines in 2002 by becoming the first racecourse in the country to install their own permanent big screen. The new screen provided by MediaPoint is part of their continued investment to improve racegoers experience.

The wonderful ‘Cabaret Band’ provides the musical entertainment from the bandstand, while there’s also a selection of bouncy castles and inflatables in the Course Enclosure – dependent upon the weather. There are also permanent play areas in both the Paddock and Course enclosures.

Going into this final meeting of the season, Malton based trainer Richard Fahey has a solid lead in the race to be Ripon’s top trainer this season, while Tim Easterby’s stable jockey David Allen tops the table in the riders’ category.

The conclusion of the season coincides with the racecourse recently winning the Gold Rose Award at the annual ’Yorkshire in Bloom’ Awards held in Harrogate. The racecourse continues to excel with their picturesque grounds and proudly continue to carry the name of ‘Yorkshire’s Garden Racecourse’.

OLYMPIC cycling champion Victoria Pendleton has been granted an amateur licence just in time to be booked to ride at Ripon on Monday.

This was achieved after a two-day assessment at the British Racing School in Newmarket last week. She has been issued with the Category A amateur rider licence that will enable her to contest her first race under rules at the beautiful ‘Garden Course’.

One of Great Britain’s most decorated Olympians will get the usual warm Yorkshire welcome when she walks from the weighing room. She is set to partner the Lawney Hill-trained Royal Etiquette and will get a 3lb claim in the Ripon handicap, part of the Betfair Novice Flat Amateur Series.

Ripon’s most valuable and iconic race of the season, The William Hill Great St. Wilfrid Stakes – a famous Handicap for sprinters offering prize money of £70,000 – takes pride of place on a top-class card this Saturday (August 15) – the richest raceday of the season at Yorkshire’s ‘Garden Racecourse’ with total prize money of £144,000 up for grabs. For the fourth year, this meeting includes The William Hill Silver Trophy a £20,000 ‘consolation’ race for those horses entered for, but unable to get into the feature race.

Contested over six furlongs, The Great St. Wilfrid Stakes celebrates 22 years of sponsorship by leading bookmakers, William Hill and another very competitive renewal is expected, with plenty of runners sure to face the starter, including several locally-trained horses; indeed this famous race has been won for the last four years by Yorkshire-trained horses. Last season’s winner, Out Do (trained at Nawton by David O’ Meara) has gone on to win some impressive Listed Races including the ‘RIU Palace Meloneras’ at Pontefract and the ‘John Smiths City Walls Stakes’ at York.

The successful owner in Saturday’s big race will receive a silver trophy depicting Ripon’s Patron Saint, St. Wilfrid, mounted on horseback along with a healthy prize fund of over £43,575.

Racing on Saturday begins at 1-50p.m. with a race for maiden two-year-olds – The CHC Vehicles Maiden Stakes over six furlongs. Two-year-olds are put through their paces in The Ripon Horn Blower Conditions Stakes over the sprint distance of six furlongs, offering prize money of £15,000. Fillies and mares take part in The British Stallion Studs European Breeders’ Fund Fillies’ Handicap Stakes (one mile and a quarter), while The attheraces.com Handicap Stakes – a £15,000 contest over one mile – and The SIS Live Handicap Stakes (three-year-olds – one mile and a half) are also featured.

Saturday’s musical entertainment on the bandstand is provided by The Lofthouse Brass Band 2000 and Ripon’s permanent giant screen will enable racegoers to see even more of the action. There’s a selection of rides such as bouncy castles and inflatables for children in the Course and Paddock Enclosures (weather dependant).

Ripon’s new racing fixture this summer on Tuesday 18th August is due to be a magical extravaganza and that’s not just the racing. As part of the 150th anniversary of Lewis Carroll’s ‘Alice in Wonderland’, the racecourse is pulling out all the stops to celebrate the cities connections with one of Britain’s best loved children’s stories and renowned Authors.

Racing on Tuesday is set to start at 2-00 p.m. The afternoon’s feature race is The attheraces.com City of Ripon Stakes, a handicap contest over one mile and a quarter, while two-year-old sprinters take part in The Download The New Attheraces App Maiden Stakes over five furlongs.

Ripon are hosting a variety of Alice in Wonderland themed entertainment for the young racegoers including performances and games from local theatre group Page2Stages along with a variety of fairground rides and face painting all located in the Course Enclosure. They will also be holding a Mad Hatters Tea Party before racing at 1-30pm for the Children. The White Rabbit, Mad Hatter and Alice herself will be having an un-birthday party and welcome Children to join them with their picnics.

The Racecourse is also holding a Mad Hatters fancy dress competition for the children on the day, with some wonderful prizes for the best outfits and ‘Mad Hats’ including tickets to Lightwater Valley and Middleham attraction Forbidden Corner and racing tickets!
For more information on either of the race days please visit Ripon’s website www.ripon-races.co.uk or contact Erin Boswell, Marketing Executive on erin@ripon-races.co.uk

Ripon’s popular annual ‘Children’s Day’ Meeting takes place on Monday (August 3), followed by an evening programme on Tuesday (August 4), with racing set to begin at 2-15 p.m. and 6-05p.m. respectively.

Monday’s activities for children in the Course Enclosure include performances by The National Festival Circus along with a variety of funfair rides and free ice-creams for youngsters while stocks last! The Go Racing in Yorkshire Racing Roadshow will also be in the course enclosure for racegoers of all ages to learn about horses, jockeys and racing in general. The Northern Racing College will also be providing an equicisor for you to test your own jockey skills. As usual at Ripon, accompanied children fewer than 18 years of age are admitted free of charge into all enclosures and there are designated play areas for children.

Children (limited numbers) will also receive their very own special goody bags with their own ‘Children’s Racecard’ to help them learn all about horse racing. Each child will also be given a FREE ice cream on the day.

Monday’s feature races are The Armstrong Memorial Handicap Stakes over six furlongs a race for three-year-olds. The 59th running of the Armstrong Memorial race (usually held in early August) and is supported by the Armstrong Family, one of the country’s most famous racing dynasties, which includes legendary Yorkshire trainers, the late Gerald and Sam Armstrong. Colin Armstrong, who father was Gerald Armstrong, is a director of the Ripon Race Company.

Also featured on Monday afternoon is The Visit Attheraces.com Handicap Stakes a content over five furlongs for three year-olds.
On Tuesday evening, the feature race is the fourth running of The David Chapman Memorial Handicap Stakes, a £12,000 contest for sprinters over five furlongs which remembers a very popular trainer, who was based at Stillington near York. He was renowned for training sprinters such as Soba, Chaplin’s Club, Quito, Glencroft and Soaked. His grand-daughter, Ruth Carr has successfully taken over at Mowbray House Farm and is likely have a runner in the race.

Also featured on Tuesday evening are The Sanlan Private Wealth And Guests Handicap Stakes (two-year-olds over five furlongs).

Racegoers will be able to follow all of the action on the course’s permanent giant screen.

The celebrations start in the lead up to the “At The Races” sponsored raceday, with the perfect competition to keep the kids busy during the school holidays. The racecourse have teamed up with local radio station ‘Stray FM’ & Ripon Libraries to give the children the opportunity to design the front of their special ‘Alice in Wonderland’ Racecard. The competition is open to under 13’s across the region and one lucky winner will not only have their design on the front and seen by thousands of racegoers, but the lucky winner will receive a fantastic prize pot of Lightwater Valley Tickets, Family entry to the race day with Fish n Chips and Ice Cream and a Sweets Hamper. There will also be prizes of tickets to the raceday for the top 20 runners up. Entries can be made online through the Stray FM website, collected from Ripon Library or please contact the racecourse office for an entry form to be posted out. Competition entries close on Monday 10th August with all entries on displayed on the raceday for the children to see their designs.

The Racecourse is also offering some exciting new ‘Mad Hatters’ packages for both adults and children, with Ripon’s ‘Alice in Wonderland’ themed shop on Kirkgate helping create a ‘Magical Wonderland’ in the new Claro Bar to set the scene for the adults ‘Mad Hatters Afternoon Tea’. The children can also join in our festivities over in the Course Enclosure with a range of entertainment including ‘Alice’s Magical Wonderland’. They will be joined by theatre group Page2stage who will be putting on an interactive workshop throughout the afternoon, with added extra games to help the children learn about the story. There will be lots of funfair rides and activities for the children, as well as a special ‘Mad Hatters Picnic’ package for which the children will be welcome to join our own ‘Unbirthday party’ on the day in the course enclosure with Alice, The Mad Hatter and The White Rabbit. They will all be available throughout the day too for photos and meet and greets.

The racecourse is not only offering an afternoon of racing and entertainment, but they are teaming up with local community groups to share the celebrations and spread the proud news of Ripon’s connections with one of the world’s most famous stories. Jennyruth Workshops are a registered charity and social enterprise based in Ripon providing a productive workshop for adults with learning disabilities which enables them to learn life skills in their workshop based near Newby Hall. Their team have been working hard to create some fun activities for the children and will be on hand selling small items on the day with a stall. The Walled Garden another local community group who are based on the outskirts of Ripon near Lightwater Valley on the old site of the Bishops Palace, also have a stall on the day.

Finally the Racecourse have teamed up with their broadcast partners and sponsors of the raceday At The Races to offer 500 FREE TICKETS for the event with a social media promotion. To be in with a chance to win a free pair of tickets to the event please visit At The Races Facebook page (www.facebook.com/AtTheRaces) for entries.

Keep an eye out on Ripon Races social media pages for more information or you can visit their website at www.ripon-races.co.uk or call the office on 01765 530530 to book your tickets for the raceday or to pre-book any of their ‘Mad Hatters’ adult and children’s packages.

Ripon hosts the opening meeting of the 2015 ‘Go Racing In Yorkshire Racing Summer Festival’ this Saturday (July 18), a seven-race programme, which is due to start at 2-10 p.m. The Festival – which concludes at Pontefract on Sunday week – aims to showcase all that is best about racing in the county.

A new edition for the festival this year is a stable visit to trainer Richard Guests yard at Ingmanthorpe near Wetherby on Tuesday 21st July. Visitors will be able to see horses on the gallops, visit Richard’s Grand National winning horse Red Marauder along with various demonstrations, followed by a Q & A session. For more information please see the Go Racing In Yorkshire website.

The afternoon’s principal race is The Ripon Bell-Ringer Handicap Stakes, a £25,000 contest over one mile and a half, while also featured are The Sky Bet Supporting The Yorkshire Racing Festival Handicap Stakes (one mile and a quarter) and The VW Van Centre (West Yorkshire) Handicap Stakes over one mile, along with The Sailun Tyres EBF Maiden Stakes – a contest for two-year-olds over five furlongs – supported by The European Breeders’ Fund & Sailun Tyres, part of Bond International.

The opening race on Saturday is The Dobson Gaskets Selling Stakes over six furlongs, while other highlights are The Yorkshire Racing Summer Festival Handicap Stakes (one mile and a half) and The Go Racing in Yorkshire Maiden Handicap Stakes – a contest for sprinters over six furlongs.

Former racehorses now under the care of ‘New Beginnings’, a community interest company – based in Yorkshire – will be in attendance with former Cheltenham Festival winner Mister McGoldrick and will be fundraising on the day and throughout the festival.

Prior to racing, there’s a preview of the afternoon’s racing in the winners’ enclosure and there will be paddock commentaries by former Derby winning jockey Kevin Darley and the SkyBET team before each race. Musical entertainment on Saturday is provided by The Ripon City Band, while Ripon’s permanent giant screen will enable racegoers to see even more of the action. There are bouncy castles and inflatable rides for the children (weather permitting) in the Course Enclosure, along with the Ripon’s two permanent playgrounds.

Ripon is in action again on Wednesday evening, followed by the course’s annual ‘Ladies Day’ fixture on the Thursday afternoon (June 17 & 18). Racing starts at 6-40 p.m. and 2-10 p.m. respectively.

The main race on Wednesday evening is this year’s renewal of The Wells Memorial Challenge Trophy, a £12,000 Handicap contest for three-year-old sprinters over six furlongs. The race which commemorates the significant contribution made to Ripon racecourse by the Wells family, including the late Norman Wells, a former chairman of Ripon Racecourse and Mayor of Ripon.

The opening race of the evening is a sprint handicap contest for apprentice jockeys who have yet to ride a winner – a race supported by Middleham Racing Breaks in the name of New Beginnings a York based group who help racehorses adjust and be re-trained for their second career following racing.

Musical entertainment on Wednesday evening is provided by The Fan Fare Brass Band, while it’s the turn of The Cabaret Sensational Band on Thursday afternoon.

Ripon’s ‘Ladies Day’ once again coincides with ‘Ladies Day’ at Royal Ascot on Thursday afternoon as racing and fashion combine. Paul Lytton will be entertaining guests in the marquee before racing, with Harrogate’s Frankly Jazz’ playing in the marquee throughout the afternoon. Yorkshire based Milliner Jenny Roberts will be on hand to offer advice on how to wear your headwear and to demonstrate which styles best suit you for our guests in the marquee.

For 2015, Ripon Races ‘Best Dressed Lady’will not only receive £500 cash, flowers & champagne but courtesy of our generous sponsors

‘Browns Family Jewellers’

, our lucky winner will receive a beautiful 18ct white gold diamond teardrop cluster pendant valued at over £1000

Exclusively for the winner of our ‘Best Hat’ competition, the lucky lady will receive a private ‘Millinery Taster Course’ for herself and 3 friends, at the studio of Harrogate Milliner Jenny Roberts where they will design and create a headpiece of their very own and be introduced to the spectacular world of making hats.

The winner of the ‘Best Dressed Lady’ will also receive an automatic entry into the Grand Final to find Yorkshire’s ‘Best-Dressed Lady Racegoer’ held at Doncaster in October. It’s the culmination of a special competition linking the individual ‘Ladies Days’ staged this summer on the Yorkshire racecourses. She will then have the chance to win the overall prize of a luxury spa weekend, £500 of Fashion Vouchers & Diamond Jewellery worth £2500.

The ‘Ladies Day’ theme is also replicated on the track, with one of the highlights of the seven-race programme being The Ladies Derby – a Handicap contest for lady amateur riders – sponsored for the 29th year by Beaumont Robinson – independent financial advisers of Shipley.

The most valuable race on the card is The Brownsfamilyjewellers.co.uk Handicap Stakes, a contest over nine furlongs, while the opening race of the day is a contest for maiden two-year-olds, supported once again by The European Breeders Fund. Three-year-olds take part in The Stray FM Celebrating Ladies Day Handicap Stakes over one mile and a half. Sprinters take part in second running of The North Ormesby WMC Tony Bennett Memorial Handicap Stakes.

Ripon’s permanent giant screen will enable racegoers to follow all of the action, including that from Royal Ascot on Thursday afternoon

Ripon’s season continues with a meeting next week on Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday evening (June 2 & 3), starting at 2-25 p.m. and 6-40 p.m. respectively.

The feature race on Tuesday afternoon is The Weatherbys Hamilton Handicap Stakes, a £12,000 contest over one mile. The race is sponsored by Weatherbys of Wellingborough, providers of administrative and commercial services to the racing industry, while three-year-old sprinters take part in The Michael Padley Memorial Handicap Stakes.

On Wednesday evening, The Directors Cup, a Handicap race for sprinters over six furlongs offering prize money of £12,000, is the principal race, while Ripon Farm Services continue to support this fixture, putting their name to a Handicap contest for three-year-old sprinters also over six furlongs.

Regular sponsors, Eura Audit UK return to support a Handicap contest for three-year-olds over one mile. The race celebrates their 30^th Anniversary of sponsorship with the racecourse. Eura Audit UK who have a local branch in Ripon, provide accountancy and tax advice along with a variety of other financial services. The concluding race is the longest of the evening – The Ladies Day On 19th June Book Now Handicap Stakes over two miles.

The Swale Valley Stompers provide the musical entertainment from the bandstand and racegoers will be able to follow all of the action on the course’s permanent giant screen.

Ripon continue into racing in June with another two day meeting with an afternoon of evening meeting on Wednesday 17^th June, before The Browns Family Jewellers Ladies’ Day on Thursday 18^th June.