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The first accolade, achieved on Friday, July 25 at York’s evening meeting was the “£5k Trainers’ Challenge”, a new initiative for 2025.  As the first trainer to train five winners across five separate days, Tim won a £5,000 bonus prize.  Dramatically it was a dead heat in the opening race that provided the crucial win.

Tim said,

“It’s great to have incentives to encourage you to run your horses in Yorkshire, we’re very supportive of initiatives likes this.”

Next up was the leading trainer of the festival, sponsored by Goldsborough Hall.  With six wins, Tim couldn’t be beaten after the fourth race at York on Saturday, July 26.

The Sky Bet sponsored prize for the leading Best Turned Out yard award was also won by the Tim Easterby yard and they have win £1,000 to share between the staff, plus a pizza party.

Young apprentice, Warren Fentiman was the Sky Bet leading jockey of the week, at his first appearance at the Summer Festival.  Warren was riding at Ascot on the final day and so his prize was accepted by his boss, Richard Fahey.

Reflecting on the week, Ben Warn, Chairman of Go Racing In Yorkshire said,

“After a prolonged dry spell, we managed to have rain on most days of the festival, but that didn’t dampen the enthusiasm of the racing crowd.

“It’s been a great week to showcase everything Yorkshire has to offer, we’ve had some great racing, fun themed days and nights and a particular highlight was Graham Lee’s visits to both Catterick and Thirsk, where we saw the second running of the Injured Jockey Fund’s Graham Lee charity race.

“We’re delighted to see the £5k Trainers Challenge being won, it took nearly a full week to do, but was a fun way of incentivising trainers to run their horses in Yorkshire.”

Michael Shinners, Head of Sports PR at Sky Bet said,

“The week has been really well supported by Yorkshire trainers and the £5k Trainers Challenge initiative was well received by the trainers.

“The charity race at Thirsk was once again a huge success raising funds for Graham and the all-round fun factor has been felt by everyone.”

Karl Burke who is currently on fire with his two-year-olds has a filly, Stargazed he hopes will continue his current good form, at Ripon on Saturday, July 19.

“She disappointed first time out, but improved on her second run and I think she’ll improve again.  If she gets a good draw, she could be hard to catch.”

Gloriously Sassy could take his chance at Redcar on Sunday, for the Middleham maestro, but also holds an entry on Monday at Beverley.

“Wherever he goes he should be pretty competitive and there’s a small chance he might go to both as he wouldn’t have a penalty if he wins at Redcar.”

Karl is also keen on the chances of Victor Cee in the Racing TV EBF Restricted Maiden Stakes at Beverley.

“He’d go there with a chance, it doesn’t look the strongest of races.  He probably wants six furlongs but we’ve decided to go for this as it looks an easier option than the Hamilton race he was entered for.  A stiff five should suit him well.”

The weather will be key for York runners the following weekend for Karl.

“Royal Champion will run in the Sky Bet York Stakes if the ground is quick.  If it happens to rain we’ll make a decision and might enter Royal Rhyme instead, but fast ground for Royal Champion will be perfect.”

Nigel Tinkler has three runners representing the yard at the opening meeting of the festival on Friday, July 18, and he gives Theme Park an each way chance.

“He’s been a little bit disappointing on his last two runs, but he did finish third at Pontefract earlier in the year and I think the hill slows the others down for him.”

Squealer won last time out at York and will take his place in the Sky Bet Go-Racing-In-Yorkshire Summer Festival Handicap. Nigel felt that Ruth Carr’s Reigning Profit was ahead of the handicapper and could be the one to beat.

Golden Duke was second last time out at Pontefract.

“He wouldn’t want a lot of rain as he likes the fast ground, but he does have a chance.”

Roundhay Park is a previous winner at Ripon and lines up again on Saturday, July 19.

“He loves the course and has come down in the weights, so he’ll have to have an each way chance.”

Lima Sierra is likely to line up at Redcar for the courses Circus Family Fun Day on Sunday, July 19, which is an all-apprentice card.  He will be ridden by yard apprentice, Alex Jary.

Nigel is also hoping to have three runners in the two-year-old race at Beverley.

Ruth Carr has two runners at Pontefract’s evening meeting, which also hosts a beer festival with Flash – A Tribute To Queen, performing after racing.

Reigning Profit will run in the Sky Bet Go-Racing-In-Yorkshire Summer festival Handicap.

“We’re hoping he has a good chance.  He ran a blinder at Ascot, he’s two pounds well in and well-drawn in stall one of seven and likes the track.”

The Good Biscuit also lines up in the last race on the night.

“We haven’t found the key to him, but he’s now well handicapped.  I think a stiff six might be the key, but we’ll find out on Friday.”

Dawn of Liberation lines up at Ripon on Saturday.

“He was well beaten at York on Friday, but he’s won three this year and is massively up the handicap.  Hopefully back in calmer waters he might be a bit more competitive, but may need to come down the handicap.”

Betweenthesticks could go to Doncaster’s evening meeting on Saturday, July 19.

“He’s well handicapped on his best form, but in the last couple of years has hasn’t won off a mark higher than mid 60’s and he’s won two this year.”

Copper And Five could also go to Doncaster,

“He likes a wide track and doesn’t like to be squeezed up, so Doncaster suits him.”

With several entries at Beverley’s evening meeting on Monday, July 21st, Ruth is likely to have some runners.

“South Shore won over five and a half furlongs at Wetherby, so a stiff five at Beverley should suit and we’re hoping for a decent draw.”

“Woodraff is getting a bit better with each run for us, so hopefully he can be in the money.”

At Catterick’s Family Fun Day, on Wednesday, July 23.  Ruth is hoping to run Reputation.

“He’s a 12-year-old who ran well enough off the back of a break at Thirsk last time.  He’s a been there done it all type, he enjoys his racing, he’s sound and his owners love him, so while he’s still enthusiastic, we’ll keep running him.”

York have a two-day music showcase weekend and on Friday evening, July 25, Ruth could run Fiscal Policy.

“He ran well at York on Saturday to finish fourth and if the draw is kind again, you couldn’t rule out a big run from him.”

“Rousing Encore could go to York on the Saturday.  He has already won at York this year and ran well at Epsom on Derby Day, but was unsuited by the lack of pace and cover at Pontefract last time out.

Declan Carroll will have runners at the opening meeting of the Summer Festival as Everydaysasaturday lines up in the first at Pontefract at 6.10pm.

“He’s a nice horse, but a bit of a slow burner and probably one for later in the season.”

Irish Dancer’s participation at Doncaster on Saturday, July 19 depends on his performance at Catterick, but the Malton based trainer could have several runners at Redcar’s meeting on Sunday, July 21.

“Emerald Army will run in the last.  We’re dropping him back to six furlongs and I think we might put a visor on him.  He goes on any ground, so we’re not worried about the weather.”

“Hickton is likely to go as well, he had his first run for me at Southwell three weeks ago, but ran too keen.”

With two apprentices in the yard, Zac Wheatley and Harry Smith, both will have opportunities at this all-apprentice card.

Time Tells All and Dr Rio, bothy have entries at Monday’s Beverley evening meeting on July 21, but having both won at the course on Tuesday, they are not guaranteed to line up.

Dr Rio has now won at Beverley five times.

“He seems to like Beverley, the style of racing there suits him.”

Later in the week at Thirsk on Friday, July 25, Declan’s two-year-old, Lifeplan, could make his debut.

“He’s a very nice two-year-old by Kodi Bear, but it depends what the ground will be like.”

Alessia Fernanda could line up in The eventmasters.co.uk Handicap Stakes at York on Friday evening.

“We’re dropping her back in trip to seven furlongs, she’ll be quite interesting.”

“Thankuappreciate could run in the six-furlong handicap (The Tomahawk Restaurants Handicap Stakes), he’s a bit tricky and it depends on what mood he is in when he shows up, but he’s very, very capable of winning.”

A fan of the Jump Jockeys Nunthorpe, Declan is hoping to run Fortunate Star in the race.

“He’s been running well, he ran in the race last year and ran quite a good race.”

Charlie Johnston will also be represented in the opening race at Pontefract on Friday night with Born A Star.

“He’s a Starspangledbanner colt and a first runner for the yard for Future Champions Racing syndicate.  I’m sure he’ll step forwards from whatever he does on Friday, but it’s a nice starting point.”

“Blessed Star will probably go in the Sky Bet Go-Racing-In-Yorkshire Handicap at Ripon on Saturday.  He was second last time out at Pontefract and should benefit from the step up to the mile and a quarter.”

Ludo’s Landing is likely to take her place in the Ripon Bell-Ringer Handicap and Charlie explained why,

“it was not an intended target for him, but it’s a poor turnout for a £50,000 race.  He shouldn’t really get into the race but there are only seven entries and two are out of the handicap, so it’s not great for Ripon but there probably aren’t enough horses rated 95+ to fill the amount of those races at the moment.”

Paladin, has got entries over the next three days and could turn up at Ripon, Redcar or Beverley.

Charlie is also likely to be represented at Doncaster on Saturday evening.

“I’ll probably introduce a two-year-old called Parisian Scholar, he goes quite nicely and Mdawi in the Skill Step Group Handicap.  He was unlucky not to win at Haydock a couple of weeks ago.  He was quite green, got going late and would have won in another stride.”

With lots of entries on Sunday at Redcar, final plans still need to be made but Charlie was in favour of the all-apprentice card.

“I think it’s generally a pretty good idea to give these apprentices chance to go racing for three or four races, rather than one, which is often the case.  My apprentice Archie Young will ride anything that we do run.”

John and Sean Quinn will start their week at Ripon on Saturday, with Enjoy The Night in the British Stallions Studs EBF Maiden Stakes.

“He’s had a couple of runs and been a bit disappointing, so we hope to see a bit more.”

Said John.

“Good Heavens, will want plenty of rain but he’s got a couple of entries and we hope to run him at Ripon.”

John is also hoping for rain at Doncaster.

“Pink Azalea won well at Carlisle a couple of weeks ago but she likes soft ground and is in good form.”

“Royalty Bay has two entries.  She ran well at Chester last time, finishing fifth, but wouldn’t want it too soft.”

“Highfield Viking has been running well without winning.  Surely his winning turn is near, he won’t mind rain and he’s a course winner at Doncaster”

The yard could go to Redcar on Sunday with Highfield Comrade.

“He’s in good from, ran ok at Carlisle, he was a bit raw, but ran ok.”

Go Racing In Yorkshire’s sponsored jockey William Pyle is hoping to take advantage of the all-apprentice card at Redcar on Sunday.  He said,

“It’s a good meeting for us, with guaranteed rides.

“I’ve got a couple for Katie Scott, I like both of them – they’re both similar, big, scopey fillies.  Breizh Sea ran a cracker at a big price at Newcastle a couple of weeks ago and I’ll be looking forward to seeing her at Redcar.  Probably the more rain the better for both of them.”

On the flip side, William’s other two mounts prefer better ground.

“Miss Rainbow has scored a hat trick but still has every chance as I think she’s still ahead of her mark, so fingers crossed for a good Sunday.”

The Go Racing In Yorkshire Summer Festival, sponsored by Sky Bet starts on Friday, July 18 at Pontefract and runs through to York on Saturday, July 26.

Every race during Redcar’s popular Circus Family Fun Day on Sunday, July 20, day three of the Go Racing In Yorkshire Summer Festival, sponsored by Sky Bet, will be an apprentice race.

And the Professional Jockeys Association (PJA) has given its support to the meeting for investing in the rising stars of the sport.

The PJA’s Executive Director, Dale Gibson, a former jockey himself, said: “The PJA very much supports these occasional apprentice cards. The fixture ties in with multiple participant welfare measures which have been introduced and expanded in recent years following PJA proposals, including extended code breaks and rider restricted meetings.

“Days like these create additional opportunities for younger jockeys to advertise their talents and gain invaluable additional experience, and at the same time provide a rare mid-summer day off for fully fledged Jockeys during an ever-demanding period of the year.

“Following on from the continued success of the apprentice only day at Goodwood last month we hope everyone involved will benefit for the additional experience and exposure, especially as the stand-alone Sunday flat fixture.”

The Redcar all-apprentice meeting has also been backed by former champion Jockey Paul Hanagan, who was champion apprentice in 2002. After riding 81 winners as an apprentice, Paul went on to become a classic-winning rider as well as champion jockey twice in 2010 and 2011.

He remains actively involved in the sport following his retirement and is highly respected throughout the industry.

Paul said: “I think it’s a great initiative and a real feather in Redcar’s cap to have a full apprentice meeting – I love the idea.

“I wish there had been something like this when I was an apprentice because it will be great experience and an important part of the learning curve for young jockeys. I hope it’s the start of something that can be built on.”

Apprentice jockey Rhys Elliott, who is attached to the Michael Dods stable and is a regular at Redcar, added: “I really welcome this because the more experience we can give young riders the better.”

Rhys won last year’s Go Racing In Yorkshire Future Stars Apprentice Handicap at the corresponding meeting on Phil Kirby’s Gastronomy.

Amy Fair, Redcar’s general manager, said Redcar had been approached by the British Horseracing Authority to help trial the idea.

Amy said: “We were delighted to be asked and immediately saw it as a hugely positive initiative. Not only does it provide more opportunities and experience for apprentices, but it’s a way of giving our hard-working senior jockeys a break.

“It’s something new for the sport and we’re proud to be helping to blaze a trail.”

A trainers’ bonus of £5,000 will be given to the first trainer who manages a win over five different days of the Summer Festival, which starts on Friday, July 18 and runs until Saturday, July 26.

Ben Warn, Chairman of Go Racing In Yorkshire said,

“There are eight days of racing during the Summer Festival, so it won’t be easy, but we thought it would be a fun addition to the week.  Competition is always healthy in Yorkshire, so we are keen to support anything that encourages and rewards runners in the county.”

Although it will be difficult, it’s not impossible – last year the challenge would have been won by David O’Meara and in 2023, Richard Fahey would have landed the spoils.

David O’Meara said,

“We have a lot of runners in Yorkshire so a challenge like this is right up our street.  We will be looking carefully at the races to make sure we have as many runners as possible throughout the week and hope to take the prize home with us.”

The first time the bonus can be won is at Catterick on Wednesday, July 23, should a trainer have a winner on the first five days of the festival and running totals will be displayed at racecourses and on social media.

POPULAR Jockey Joanna Mason has spoken for the weighing room in welcoming the decision to support injured rider Graham Lee through this year’s Go Racing in Yorkshire Summer Festival.

The 16th festival, again sponsored by Sky Bet, covers nine days of racing – between July 19 and 27 – at York, Thirsk, Doncaster, Catterick, Beverley, Redcar, Ripon and Pontefract.

And this year’s festival has chosen the Matt Hampson Foundation as its charity partner in recognition of its support of jockey Graham Lee, who suffered life-changing injuries in a fall at Newcastle last November.

The charity’s founder is former England and Leicester Tigers rugby player, Matt Hampson OBE, who was paralysed from the next down in 2005, aged just 20.

Graham visits the foundation for specialist therapy on a two-week block once a month, and his wife, Becky, said: “The physio he is receiving is incredible. They get everything out of him, and the whole team are very special.

“The charity is committed to Graham long-term and being a partner at the Go Racing Summer Festival is a great way to recognise them and give something back.”

Speaking at the press launch of the festival at Thirsk Races this week, Joanna Mason explained how much it means to the jockeys to be supporting Graham and his family.

“Graham was the friendly face of the weighing room – always so helpful and prepared to give advice to anyone who needed it. It was never a bother to him, and I was just one of many young jockeys he helped along the way.

“I know I speak for all the jockeys when I say how much we welcome the racing community rallying round Graham and his family, and having the Go Racing In Yorkshire Festival supporting this fantastic charity is another brilliant and high-profile example.”

As well as its headquarters in Leicestershire, the foundation has recently opened its first satellite hub, based at Gateshead Leisure Centre, making the North-East an important region for the charity.

As well as traditional exit collections, the festival will be raising funds for the foundation in a variety of ways.

The ever-popular ‘Sky Bet Paddock and Chips’ football skills event will see jockeys going into the paddock before racing to take five shots at different sized goals worth £25, £50 and £100.

A festival raffle will be held to win a unique prize – four shoes from Yorkshire’s 2023 Group 1 sprinters – Highfield Princes, Shaquille, Regional, and Art Power – mounted and engraved.

Thirsk will be holding a charity race for stable staff before the main card on Friday, July, 26.

Sky Bet will also be sponsoring a race, with Matt Hampson attending the meeting at York on July 27, the final day of the festival.

One rider looking forward to the meeting is Jo Mason, who goes into the fixture with a full book of rides, five of which are currently second favourite.  Four of her mounts come from the training partnership of her grandfather and uncle, Mick and David Easterby and with Scatter Penny, This Years Love and Late Arrival all winners last time out, there is every chance she can take an early  lead in the Sky Bet leading jockey competition.

“Scatter Penny won first time out at Nottingham.  She was very green but stayed on and will have come on for the run.  She should give a good account of herself,” said Jo.

“This Years Love is looking for a hat trick.  He likes a stiff finish, having won twice at Beverley and would suit a step up in trip.  I hope they don’t nick him for jumping because I like riding him on the flat!”

“Late Arrival won last time out at Pontefract, loves cut in the ground, loves Pontefract and loves a stiff finish.”

Of her other runners, Jo said,

“Wen Moon loves Pontefract, he does lug left-handed but he’s competitive and ran well at York last time out.”

Style Of Life is in an interesting ride for Jo, the four-year-old is making her debut for Harriet Bethell and has had a good break, but she won on her last run on the all weather and is one to note.

While plans for the week are still to be finalised, Jo is expecting to be in action at Ripon and Beverley and suggested that Reach and Valley Of Flowers might both run at York the following weekend.

“I’m really looking forward to the week.  A couple of years ago I was leading jockey for most of the week but faltered near the end, so we’ll give it another shot this year.”

Makanha starts the festival week at Pontefract for Julie Camacho and Steve Brown, husband of the trainer ran us through their prospects for the week.

“Makanha might be one that people overlook but I wouldn’t.  All his life he’s wanted to go left-handed so the rail at Pontefract should suit as he’s drawn close to it.  He’s done well in small fields and the slight drop in class should make things easier for him as he’s spent a lot of time running in big handicaps.”

“Gregorianna is a fine big filly, who ran her best race list time and we feel as though she’ll improve when she steps up in trip.  We think we’ll go to Redcar with her over 9f as eventually she’ll want a mile and a quarter and she’s a work in progress.”

“Towards the end of the week Badri will probably go to York.  He ran a reasonable race at Ascot on Saturday and was only beaten three lengths which was his best run of the year.”

“An interesting horse which might turn up later in the week is Infinity Blue , he’s a horse we’re keen to find the right race for and I think he can get his head in front sooner, rather than later.”

“May Blossom will be entered for York on Friday, she was tremendously consistent and reliable for David O’Meara in the past and she’s proving the same for us.  She’s a horse everyone would love to own, she turns up, runs her heart out and is always in the mix.”

“One real flyer if he appears at Doncaster on Thursday is Calder Valley, but he wouldn’t want the ground too quick.  He’s a horse we really like and haven’t seen the best of yet and when he gets a mile I think we’ll see a different animal.  He’s a horse we really like.”

The father and son team of John and Sean Quinn are big supporters of the Summer Festival and start the week with Sporting Life at Pontefract.  Sean said,

“He ran well at Beverley on his debut, but missed the break and got stopped at the half way point.  He was strong at the line, so we’ve decided to step him up to six furlongs.”

Of his other runners, Sean said,

“Alethiometer has been unlucky on her last three starts and I wouldn’t be surprised to see her go close.”

“Due For Luck ahs been disappointing twice at Haydock and I think he could bounce back.  He’s got a good engine.”

“One More Dream is better on the all-weather but capable of winning of this mark on grass and the drier the ground the better, so hopefully it stays dry for a couple of days.”

“Titan Rock is the likely runner at Ripon.  He’s a bit in and out but if he runs his Thirsk Hunt Cup race he could go close”.

“Warrendale Wagyu is probably the pick of the horses at Doncaster.  He won there two starts ago and appreciated the ease in the ground, then went to Beverley on quick ground, where he ran ok but I think he’d be more comfortable on an easier surface, so that will help him.”

Ruth Carr is excited to run Makalu in the Sky Bet Supporting Matt Hampson Foundation Handicap at Pontefract.

“He’s in the form of his life, he won at Ayr on Monday and was second at Ripon last week.  A mile at Pontefract might not play to his strengths but he’s in good form and we hope in front of the handicapper.”

“At Ripon we plan to run Lord Protector who was second in the Zetland Gold Cup at Redcar.  We’re stepping him up in trip which we expect will suit and if we go back to his Redcar form he should have a little chance.”

Dawn of Liberation is another of Ruth’s runners at Ripon, who, Ruth admits she is frustrated with but regular rider, Jo Mason, insists the trainer needs to remain positive.

“There’s no reason why the trip and track won’t suit.  It would be better if it dried out a bit but I think the forecast is going to be in our favour.”

“Jojo Rabbit won at Doncaster last week and we’ve managed to drop him in grade.  He’s got a high weight so we’re going to claim off him and hopefully he’ll run well again.”

“We’ll go to Beverley with King Sharja.  It’s taken time for everything to come right with him but he’s down in the handicap and we feel that his turn isn’t far away.”

“Mutanasseq will go to Catterick on Wednesday.  He won four there last year but it’s been hard for him this year.  We put some cheek pieces on his last time and he showed a bit more spark.”

Mark Walford picked up Exceed Now from Newmarket sales at 9pm on Tuesday night and runs the colt at Doncaster on Saturday.

“An owner rang me up and fancied it, I did my research and spoke to Roger Varian was fairly positive about him.  I don’t know much about him yet, but we quite like him and he’s a horse for the future.”

“At Redcar we run Treble Winners, he ran quite nicely first time out at Newcastle and that will have brought him on.  We’re expecting him to run well.”

“Fortuitous Star, ran ok at Catterick last time, it was her first run for a while, she’s stepping up to a mile but she’s been going well since Catterick so we’re hoping for a decent run at Doncaster on Thursday, July 25.

Adrian Keatley plans to run Gaol Line at Beverley on Monday evening.

“He’s a nice horse, I got him from the breeze ups.  He’s well bred and if he doesn’t win a novice, he should be winning a nursery.”

“I’m still finalising plans but I will probably have runners at Doncaster and York towards the end of the week.” Reported the Malton based trainer.

With 10 race meetings, across Yorkshire’s eight courses over nine days, the Summer Festival offers a week of racing not to be missed.

Based in Leicestershire, the Matt Hampson Foundation inspires and supports young people seriously injured through sport. Through expert physiotherapy, specialist personal training, wellbeing support, mentoring and advice, the Foundation helps people with life-changing injuries to get busy living again.

Charlotte Russell, General Manger of Go Racing In Yorkshire said,

“We wanted this year’s charitable element of the Summer Festival to support Graham Lee and after speaking with Graham and his family, they suggested the Matt Hampson Foundation as Graham has been spending time there, as part of his rehabilitation programme.”

Graham’s wife, Becky explained,

“Graham visits the Matt Hampson Foundation for a two-week block once a month.  The physio he is receiving is incredible, they get everything out of him, the whole team are very special.”

“The charity is committed to Graham long-term and being charity partner at the Go Racing In Yorkshire Summer Festival is a great way to recognise them and give something back.”

Matt Hampson said: “It’s been a pleasure to be able to offer support to Graham and his family and the progress he’s making in his recovery is fantastic to witness.

“We’re thrilled to have been chosen as official charity partner this Summer as support like this is essential to the running of the Foundation and enables us to help more and more people who are recovering from life-changing injury.”

It is hoped that staff and beneficiaries will be able to attend some of the race meetings, which take place between Friday, July 19 and Saturday, July 27, but local volunteers are requested to conduct exit collections on behalf of the Matt Hampson Foundation.  If you can spare some time at the end of a raceday, please email Samantha.brown@goracing.co.uk

Richard took the leading trainer award, sponsored by Goldsborough Hall, with a clear eight winners over the week, finishing four ahead of his nearest rivals.

It was a tighter competition for the Sky Bet sponsored leading jockey award, with Oisin Orr and Cam Hardie both scoring four winners across the Yorkshire fixtures, however Oisin won on count back, having scored three third places.

The Moment of the Week also went to the Malton yard on account of the team winning the opening race on the first three days of the festival, with unraced two-year-olds.  Ziggy’s Condor landed the spoils at Pontefract with Tropical Island quickly following up at Ripon and Airman justifying favouritism at Beverley.

Michael Shinners, Head of Sports PR at Sky Bet said,

“Richard Fahey’s record with two-year-olds speaks for itself but to win consecutively with unraced horses is an impressive feat.  I think we saw a particularly nice horse in Tropical Island and I look forward to watching her progress.  The Summer Festival is a great platform to showcase these future stars to the public.”

The Sky Bet Best Turned Out Yard Award was won by the Michael & David Easterby yard who won three best turned out awards in Sky Bet sponsored races across the week.  There will be £1,000 to share between the staff and a pizza party at a later date.

Ben Warn, Chairman of Go Racing In Yorkshire said,

“We’ve had a fantastic week of racing with some great sport and themes to tie the week together.  The HoofBeat Bitter seemed to go down well among the crowd and the variety of race meetings from family days to music nights provided something for everyone.  Crowd numbers looked good, despite the rain during the early part of the week and we were very sad to lose the meeting at Redcar due to waterlogging.”

Jockeys were not only competing on the racetrack but also took part in ‘Paddock and Chips’ a football skills competition that took place before racing each day.  James Sullivan amassed the most points during the week and after going to penalties, John Kington won the jump jockeys version before riding in the Jump Jockeys’ Nunthorpe at York on Saturday.

 

Outlining his plans for the week ahead, Middleham based Micky Hammond is due to have plenty of runners and is looking forward to the Go Racing In Yorkshire Future Stars Apprentice Handicap Stakes at Redcar.

“I think My Boy Max has a right chance on Sunday, the trip is right, Aiden Brookes rides him all the time and claims an extra 3lbs riding for his own stable. I think there’s a lot in his favour.”

Should the rain come, Micky is also keen on the chances of Mandega at Doncaster on Thursday, July 27.

Micky continued,

“I think the festival is great, there’s such variety of tracks in Yorkshire and Malton and Middleham are well served by those racecourses and there’s always a knowledgeable crowd in Yorkshire, it’s a terrific festival and a great idea.”

With two likely runners at Ripon on Saturday and a runner at Redcar on Sunday, Adrian Keatley is looking forward to the possibility of running Kihava at York as a prep run for the Ebor.

“He’s short of a couple of pounds to get in, he’s at 98 now so we might need another couple of pounds.”

Of the Summer Festival, Adrian said,

“It’s a fantastic way to showcase racing in Yorkshire.  I wasn’t aware of the North/South divide until I moved over here but we’ve got some great courses and some brilliant horses being trained up here.”

David Easterby outlined the yard’s runners for the week.

“Keep Warm won a nursery at Pontefract at the last meeting, he’s gone up 6lbs, but we’re running in a 0-60 with a 6lb penalty.  He’ll never be able to run in that class of race again so I think he’s got a good chance.”

“We opted to go to Pontefract with Bay Of Hope, he won with Dave Allan at Redcar and finished third at Ayr and I think he goes there with a cracking chance.”

“Our Beverley specialist Casilli will go to Ripon, she’s dropped down the weights a little bit as she hasn’t performed quite as well this year as she has done previously, so we’re looking for her to put up a good account.  She’s had a break and a massage to freshen up.”

Describing the festival, David said,

“Yorkshire people are proud people and like to say they are from Yorkshire and therefore support Yorkshire.  Branding for Yorkshire tracks during the Summer Festival week is a really good thing.”

William Easterby explained his father’s enthusiasm for the Summer Festival week.

“We’ve got some course specialists running at the Yorkshire meetings, horses that seem to like it in Yorkshire and a trainer that doesn’t like to leave Yorkshire so it’s great!”

“Copper Knight runs in the sprint at Pontefract, only a pound higher than when he won at York, along with Mattice who was third to him and will be suited by a stiff five furlongs.”

Three course specialists head to Ripon on Saturday in Dark Jedi, Glendown and Garden Oasis who have all previously won at the course.

“Gibside who won the apprentice race at York, goes to Redcar on Sunday, he looks a progressive stayer so I’m hoping he can do it again.”

“Ugo Gregory is a standing feature at Beverley, he won there last time out and if the ground is soft he’s good to be on side with.”

Moving ahead to York, William is looking forward to The Pearly Cow Handicap Stakes for Gentleman Amateur Jockeys.

“It’s a big deal in our house with my brother Thomas and I riding.  David (Easterby) has already claimed one of us to ride, that isn’t his godson!  Thomas will be riding for David and Uncle Michael, so I’ll be trying very hard to beat them!”

“We really enjoy having runners at the festival, it happens at a time of year when our horses tend to be running well and we’ve been lucky enough to be the leading trainer on a couple of occasions.”

Ruth Carr takes a previous course and distance winner in Rhythm to Pontefract on Friday night for the Dreams Of Fleetwood Mac After Racing Handicap.

“She’s still a pound higher than her last winning mark and she’s got a bad draw but hopefully she can overcome that and run well.

“Saturday at Ripon we’ve got Copper and Five running, it’s courses for horses, he’s still well handicapped at his best and wasn’t beaten far last time out.”

“Rockin Rosa runs at Redcar on Sunday, she’s a bit of a madam but she’s definitely got ability and she needs to show it on course.  There’s no reason why she can’t run well.”

“Hostelry also runs at Redcar, she’s ultra consistent, she’s only won twice but is rarely out of the placings and a mile and one furlong should suit her.  She’s dropping in grade but does need the race to divide to get in.”

“Spanish Angel goes to Beverley.  He’s won three this year and is better on the all weather, but with a bit of luck hopefully he can be in the mix.”

“At Doncaster on Thursday we’re dropping Touch Wood back to six furlongs and putting some cheek pieces on which we hope will get him the win.  He’s been running well without winning so we hope this is the answer.”

Commenting on the festival, Ruth said,

“We like to stay close to home to support our local tracks, it’s better for the horses with less travelling, it’s economical for us and with staffs’ time and we get well looked after in Yorkshire and everyone enjoys a day out.  We’re well served by lots of courses within an hour and a half and the festival week brings this all together.”

The Go Racing In Yorkshire Summer Festival, sponsored by Sky Bet begins at Pontefract tomorrow night, Friday, July 21 and runs through to York on Saturday, July 29.

Jack Berry House in Malton will be open between 2pm and 4pm on Tuesday, July 25, conducting tours of the rehabilitation centre.

As part of the Go Racing In Yorkshire Summer Festival, sponsored by Sky Bet, there will be a competition for racegoers who attend five or more meetings across the week to win a Go Racing In Yorkshire season ticket for the 2024/25 season.

Charlotte Russell, General Manager said,

“The Summer Festival is a special week where racegoers have the opportunity to visit our racecourses and see for themselves how unique each one is.   Visitors can collect their passport and have it stamped at each race meeting they attend.  With 10 fixtures across eight days there’s plenty of chances to pick up a stamp!  Once five stamps have been collected, the passport can be returned to us where they will be entered into a draw to win a season ticket for next year which gives admission to over 180 fixtures across the county.”

Starting at Pontefract’s beer festival and music night on Friday, July 21, the beer theme will continue throughout the week with four varieties of Wold Top bottled beers available across the meetings.

Goldsborough Hall will continue to sponsor the leading trainer of the week, where the winner will enjoy an overnight stay and dinner at the Stately Home.

There will be a prize for the leading jockey of the week, sponsored by Sky Bet who are also offering the popular pizza party and cash prize for the yard that wins the most best turned out awards during the week.

Although it is a week of flat racing, jump jockeys will be in attendance at York racecourse on the closing day of the festival, Saturday, July 29, where they will be taking part in the Jump Jockey’s Nunthorpe over the shortest distance of five furlongs.

Football skills will be put to the test before racing starts each day with the ever popular ‘Paddock and Chips’ competition, a penalty shoot-out style event for the jockeys, which takes place throughout the week and the jockey with the most points will win an overnight stay at Goldsborough Hall.

The festival will also be supporting the Injured Jockeys Fund who will be in attendance at the race meetings talking to racegoers about the work they do and raising funds through a raffle and selling merchandise.

As part of their involvement, Jack Berry House, the Injured Jockeys Fund’s rehabilitation centre in Malton, will be open for tours on Tuesday, July 25, between 2pm and 4pm, an unmissable opportunity to see the facilities available to the human athletes of the sport, setting them on the road to recovery.

The Go Racing In Yorkshire Summer Festival takes place from Friday, July 21 and runs until Saturday, July 29.  Tickets can be purchased via https://goracing.co.uk/summer-festival/ or from the racecourse websites directly.

The festival will culminate at York’s Music Showcase weekend on Saturday 29th July where racing highlights include the Group 2 Sky Bet York Stakes and Craig David will be in action on the stage.

During the festival week, racing takes place at eight of Yorkshire’s racecourses over the nine day period and explaining the change to the fixtures, Go Racing In Yorkshire Chairman, Ben Warn said,

“Pontefract’s evening fixture of racing combined with music ensures we can get the festival off to a good start, setting the scene for the family fun week it will be.  We are delighted that Sky Bet are continuing to sponsor the festival and it makes sense to finish the festival at York, where they sponsor the full card.”

Taking place during the first week of the Summer Holidays younger racegoers can enjoy a Circus Family Fun day at Redcar on Sunday 23rd July, as well as family fun activities at Thirsk on Friday 28th July.  Accompanied under 18’s are admitted free to all of the fixtures and admission starts from as little as £5.

In addition to music on the opening and closing days of the festival, The Human League will be taking to the stage after evening racing at York on Friday 28th July.

Sky Bet, who have sponsored the Go Racing In Yorkshire Summer Festival since it began have committed to a further three year sponsorship deal with Go Racing In Yorkshire.

Michael Shinners, Head of Sports PR said,

“We’re looking forward to another great week of racing at the Summer Festival.  It’s a fabulous showcase of the Yorkshire courses and a special week in the Yorkshire racing calendar.  It highlights everything that is great about racing in the county.”

For more information and to book tickets, please visit www.goracing.co.uk

The festival which took place across Yorkshire’s courses had both a leading jockey and trainer competition with both being won with four winners.

Tim Easterby took the leading trainer title, sponsored by Goldsborough Hall, with a double at Ripon on the opening day, followed up by a win at Redcar the next day and a winner at Doncaster on Thursday evening.  He was joined at the top of the leader board by Richard Fahey and Phil Kirby, but his tally of seven seconds during the week meant that he won on countback.

Sky Bet sponsored the leading jockey award which went to Kevin Stott for the first time.  He accumulated four wins at Doncaster and York and while Duran Fentiman also rode four winners during the week, Kevin also won on countback.

A sporting competition of a different variety took place daily before racing with a jockeys’ football skills competition called “Paddock and Chips”.  Jockeys scored points by chipping footballs into a net and by the end of the week there were joint winners with three jockeys on four points.  Rowan Scott, Jason Hart and Ben Curtis demonstrated the best footwork and claimed the victory.

The Roger Fell yard were the runaway winners of the best turned out horse award, where the yard who won the most best turned out horse prizes in the Sky Bet sponsored races throughout the week won £1,000 to share between the staff, plus a pizza party.  Taking this award no less than five times the hard work of the stable staff at the Nawton yard will be rewarded over the summer.

And it’s not just the race winners that were recognised.  The Go Racing In Yorkshire Summer Festival sponsored by Sky Bet throws up so many great moments that a new award of ‘moment of the day’ was introduced this year, culminating in ‘moment of the week’.  This was awarded to Duran Fentiman for riding a treble in the last three races on the opening day at Ripon.

Charlotte Russell, General Manager of Go Racing In Yorkshire said,

“We’ve had a blast!  The Go Racing In Yorkshire Summer Festival sponsored by Sky Bet showcases everything that racing in Yorkshire has to offer.  We’ve had evening meetings, weekend fixtures, family days, music nights, top quality racing and a few added extras.  There has been a real buzz around the racecourses and I hope everyone has enjoyed the week as much as we have.”

One of the themes running through the week was Yorkshire’s close association with the founding stallions and this was highlighted at Doncaster, where Sound of Iona, one of the few remaining descendants from the Byerley Turk bloodline was a winner.

The Gin Tin was on hand to provide Yorkshire refreshments for racegoers and of course it wouldn’t be the Summer Festival without Festival Freddie who enjoyed meeting racegoers.

The provisional dates for next year’s meeting is Saturday, July 22 – Sunday, July 30 2023.

David was the Goldsborough Hall sponsored leading trainer of the festival last year, with seven winners and the Upper Helmsley handler anticipates a very busy week ahead across the eight host courses.

“It’s always a very busy week for us, with lots of Yorkshire owners who are all keen on running their horses in the county and as many of them that are fit and suitable to run will be busy.”

“In terms of the leading trainer of the week title, it’s kind of something you don’t really think about until you’re half-way through and then if you’re close to winning you start to take notice.”

“We’re all involved in this sport because we like racing and you wouldn’t be involved if you weren’t keen on wining!”

“There’s definitely more of a buzz around the racecourses during the festival week and we’re looking forward to being there again.”

Among the horses on the gallops were recent Royal Ascot winner Get Shirty and Maria Branwell who was third in the Queen Mary Stakes at the same meeting.

Danny Tudhope, who was victorious aboard Get Shirty and partnered him on the gallops was another looking forward to the Summer Festival week.  Danny has previously been the Sky Bet sponsored leading jockey of the week and he said,

“There’s a great atmosphere and it’s good to be in action at all the local courses, close to home.  It’s hard to aim for the leading jockey of the week title, as jockeys are not always in control of where they are riding but it’s a nice thing to win if we can.”

The jockeys will be able to warm up for their rides on the track with a game of ‘Paddock and Chips’ in the parade ring before racing starts.  The football skills competition sees the jockeys scoring points by chipping footballs into a target.  Danny Tudhope was runner up in 2019,

“My football skills haven’t improved since last year, but I’ll try and get some practice in before the week starts.”

Another jockey who is new to the Summer Festival is Jason Watson.  He said,

“I’m looking forward to the week.  There’s a different vibe up here to down south and people enjoy their racing so much.  Being attached to David’s is a massive help, he’s a highly established trainer up north and down south and has a very good team to really go to war.”

The Go Racing In Yorkshire Summer Festival, sponsored by Sky bet gets underway at Ripon on Saturday, July 16.

Now in its 14th year, the festival is firmly established in the diaries of racegoers and with 10 fixtures across the nine days there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy some competitive racing in a relaxed, friendly atmosphere.

Michael Shinners, Head of Sports PR at Sky Bet said,

“We’re looking forward to another great week of racing at the Summer Festival.  It’s a fabulous showcase of the Yorkshire courses and a special week in the Yorkshire racing calendar.  It highlights everything that is great about racing in the county.”

Sky Bet also sponsor the leading jockey of the meeting and will continue with a prize for the Best Turned Out Yard, consisting of £1,000, to be shared among the staff plus a pizza party.  This will be won by the yard that wins the most ‘best turned out’ prizes in the Sky Bet sponsored races throughout the week.

There is also a competition for the leading trainer of the week, which is sponsored by Goldsborough Hall, home of founding stallion the Byerley Turk.

New for this year is a ‘moment of the day’ award, culminating in a special ‘moment of the week’.

Go Racing In Yorkshire’s General Manager, Charlotte Russell said,

“Alongside the race winners, so many great things happen during the week of the Summer Festival that we want to have the opportunity to celebrate them, and moment of the day gives us this chance to recognise those involved in making the week really special.”

Before racing starts the jockeys will be getting competitive with the “Paddock and Chips” competition, a football skills challenge which will take place in the Parade Ring before racing each day.

This year, the festival is supporting Yorkshire based racehorse retraining and rehoming charity New Beginnings who will be on course with their stand and raising funds with a bucket collection after racing.  Racehorse ambassador Goldream will be accompanying them at Beverley, York and Pontefract.

Pam Atkinson from New Beginnings said,

“We are delighted to be part of the Summer Festival this year.  Attending the race meetings gives us the opportunity to talk to racegoers about the work that we do and demonstrate the new life that racehorses have once they have been retired from the track.”

The Gin Tin will be visiting all the courses with a range of Yorkshire produced drinks, celebrating the great taste of Yorkshire, along with its most treasured sport.

Information explaining Yorkshire’s links to the origins of the Founding Stallions, the forefathers of the modern-day racehorse will be on display at each course.

Competitive racing and the return of crowds ensured something that resembled normality as crowds came from near and far to celebrate racing in Yorkshire.

There was hot competition to be leading trainer of the week, sponsored by Goldsborough Hall and leading jockey of the week, sponsored by Sky Bet, with the former going down to the final day, but a double for David O’Meara secured his victory.  His prize includes dinner and overnight stay at Goldsborough Hall.

Connor Beasley took the honours as Sky Bet leading jockey for the first time and wins £1,000 and in a new initiative also sponsored by Sky Bet, the Jedd O’Keeffe yard won the award for the best turned out horses throughout the week.  They will receive £1,000 to share between the staff as well as a visit from the pizza trailer, regularly seen at Yorkshire’s courses, to celebrate.

Michael Shinners, Head of Sports PR at Sky Bet said,

“It has been a fantastic nine days of racing and the weather has been incredibly kind.  The action on the track was fantastic, the highlight being Bangkok’s win in the Sky Bet York Stakes.

We have a new winner of the Sky Bet top jockey prize and David O’Meara has regained the leading trainer title.  The new initiative for the best turned out yard has been won by Jedd O’Keeffe and there has been an excellent standard of turnout this week.

It is great to have crowds back and we look forward to a returning in 2022.”

The Sky Bet ‘Paddock and Chips’ competition made a welcome return and for the second time in a row the football chipping skills of Cam Hardie made him the clear winner, earning an overnight stay at Goldsborough Hall.

The dates for 2022 are Saturday 16th to Sunday 24th July.

THE odds may have been stacked against them but, as tales of friendship go, it has more than enough drama to set the heart racing…

Robbie Burns and Jack Proctor first met when they were in opposite beds at Newcastle’s Freeman Hospital, waiting to have heart transplants that were their only chance of survival.

And it was their mutual interest in horse racing that helped turn them from complete strangers to close friends.

“I’d give Jack tips in hospital, he’d have a go at me when they lost, and we got along famously from there,” laughed Robbie.

Now, 18 months on, they’ve met up again for the first time since their life-saving operations – with Yorkshire racecourses forming the backdrop to their emotional reunion.

Robbie, who lives in Winchester, organised his first holiday since lockdown to coincide with the Go Racing In Yorkshire Summer Festival, featuring ten meetings over nine days.

And he and Jack, from Hutton Henry, near Hartlepool, arranged to meet at Ripon Races on Saturday, Redcar Races on Sunday and again at Catterick on Wednesday.

“Not only was it a chance to see beautiful Yorkshire but to take in some racing too,” explained Robbie. “We’ve both had a really rough ride, but it’s been great to be in the sunshine, watching the racing for real rather than on TV in hospital.”

Robbie, 50, was born with heart problems and underwent surgery at London’s Great Ormond Street Hospital For Children when he was three-months-old and again at four and a half. Ironically, he grew up to become the hospital’s Director of Strategy.

Father-of-three Jack, 60, had a malignant tumour in his shoulder and was given only a five per cent chance of survival. He overcame the cancer, but his illness also led to heart problems, and he was diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy 30 years ago.

With their conditions steadily worsening and time running out, both were placed on the urgent transplant list, ending up on Ward 24 at The Freeman Hospital in January 2020. Jack went on to have his heart transplant just before the first national lockdown in March last year, while Robbie’s operation took place on June 26.

“I’d had some bets before the transplant and, when I woke up, the first question I asked was whether they’d won,” he recalled. “It was Northumberland Plate day, at Newcastle, and I’d backed a winner called Judicial, so it was a really good day!”

Sadly, complications meant that Robbie had a particularly rough ride, spending 14 weeks in hospital and, at one point, he had to be resuscitated by his wife, Tamsin. Throughout those dark days, it was being able to watch his favourite sport on TV that kept him going.

“I suppose it’s miraculous that either of us are still alive,” said Robbie. “We’ve stayed in touch on Zoom throughout the lockdown, and the Yorkshire festival was a fantastic opportunity to team up again.”

Tamsin and Jack’s wife, Mary, also became firm friends through the transplant ordeal and have been part of this week’s reunion.

“They spent a lot of time together when we were in hospital and not only supported us but each other too. They’re a really important part of the story,” explained Jack, who worked as commercial director of a food ingredient company.

Charlotte Russell, general manager of Go Racing In Yorkshire, said: “It’s such a wonderful story and we’re thrilled that racing and the summer festival have played a part in it in bringing Robbie and Jack back together.”

Robbie has an ambition to visit each of the 60 courses in the UK and, thanks to the Go Racing In Yorkshire Summer festival, he’s so far been able to tick off Ripon, Redcar, Beverley and Catterick. He and Jack were also given the honour of presenting one of the trophies at Redcar.

“Racing’s my passion and it really has played such an important part in getting me through all of this, so to come up here and catch up with Jack has been perfect – all we need now is to back a few winners,” he said.

Robbie and Jack are men who know what it takes to beat the odds…

Starting at Ripon on Saturday, July 17 the Summer Festival will move around the county’s racecourses, taking in 10 meetings over nine days, culminating at Pontefract on Sunday, July 25.

Charlotte Russell, general manager of Go Racing In Yorkshire said,

“We really missed not having the festival last year, and the racecourses, along with our loyal sponsor Sky Bet, were determined that it would take place in some form this year.  It has been refreshing to be able to make plans again and exciting that the majority of the week will take place without crowd restrictions.”

The Festival this year will have strong Yorkshire themes, celebrating the unique aspects of each of the county’s racecourses which are all connected by the Yorkshire brand.

Michael Shinners, Head of Sports PR at Sky Bet said,

“Sky Bet are once again delighted to be sponsoring the Go Racing In Yorkshire Summer Festival. It’s great to have the opportunity to sponsor at not only some of the county’s, but the countries finest racecourses. We have a couple of new initiatives this year including rewarding the yard with the most Best Turned Out winners in our sponsored races. All in all, it should be a great nine days”

The new best turned out competition will be run across the week.  The winner of the best turned out horse competition in each of the Sky Bet sponsored races will be tallied and the yard with the most winners will receive a prize of £1,000 to be shared among the staff, plus refreshments to celebrate.

Working with the Yorkshire Film Archive, racegoers will be able to see historical footage of racing in the White Rose County on the big screens, along with original audio.  Plus, they will be welcomed into the tracks with an eclectic mix of Yorkshire themed music.

Competition will be fierce, both in the races themselves but also for the leading trainer of the week, sponsored by Goldsborough Hall and the leading jockey of the week sponsored by Sky Bet.

Clare Oglesby of Goldsborough Hall said,

“Mark and I are delighted, once again, to be sponsoring the prize for the leading trainer at the Go Racing in Yorkshire Summer Festival and presenting the Byerley Turk Trophy. We have been involved with Go Racing In Yorkshire for many years and can’t wait to be back after missing everything last year.”

After the success of 2019, the ‘Paddock and Chips’ jockeys’ football skills competition will be making a return.  Scoring points for chipping a football into a target from different distances, the competition will take place throughout the week in the Parade Ring, about an hour before the first race.

The Yorkshire themes continue in the catering department with CGC Event Caterers, who will be offering a Masons Tea Edition Gin and Tonic for a festival special price of £6 and a ‘Yorkshire Rascal’, served with clotted cream, jam and butter with a cup of Yorkshire Tea for £4.95, at each of the courses they serve.

Jack Berry House, the jockey and stable staff rehabilitation centre in Malton, will also be open to members of the public between 12 noon and 2pm on Tuesday 20th July, the one day of the festival when racing does not take place in Yorkshire.

And while it’s all about the horses, look out for Festival Freddie who will be appearing at the racecourses and is always a big hit with the children!

Heatwave to hail stones set the backdrop to some really competitive racing at the Go Racing In Yorkshire Summer Festival, sponsored by Sky Bet.

Glorious sunshine started the week at Ripon on Saturday, July 20 and continued for much of the week, including the hottest day of the year at Doncaster on Thursday, July 25.

But like all good things it came to an end and after thunderstorms hit Thirsk in the middle of Friday afternoon it was rain to the end with the worst of the weather apparently reserved for York’s high-class card on Saturday. which featured the Group 2 Sky Bet York Stakes.

The final day of the Festival at Pontefract on Sunday, July 28 escaped most if not all of the rain, but it certainly didn’t dampen spirits among the family crowd.

Highlights of the week on the track saw Mark Johnston’s Elarqam take the Sky Bet York Stakes with the Middleham trainer also landing Pontefract’s listed race, the Sky Bet Go-Racing-In-Yorkshire Summer Festival Pomfret Stakes with Marie’s Diamond. The biggest priced winner of the week was Mick Easterby’s 40-1 shot Bankawi winning at Ripon in the hands of James Sullivan.

As well as the superb racing, there was plenty to keep the crowds happy with the jockeys showing off their football skills before racing every day with the Sky Bet sponsored ‘Paddock and Chips’, a week long competition that earned winner Cam Hardie an overnight stay at Rudding Park.

Fun for all the family is the keynote of the Festival, together with some great music provided by Tears For Fears at York on the Friday, James Arthur on the Saturday and three tribute bands performing throughout the day at Pontefract

Richard Fahey was leading trainer of the week for the second year in a row landing seven winners, the same number as Tim Easterby, but claiming the prize of a luxury stay at the superb Goldsborough Hall, who sponsor the award, by virtue of more second places.

There was also a repeat winner of the jockeys’ award, sponsored by Sky Bet, with Danny Tudhope’s nine winners making him the winner for the second year in a row. The sponsors also gave a £500 donation to Racing Welfare, the nominated charity of the week.

Go Racing In Yorkshire chairman John Sexton said: “The Go Racing In Yorkshire Summer Festival has been another great success and we are delighted to work with such brilliant sponsors who come back year after year. Every year it proves a terrific way to showcase Yorkshire’s fantastic racecourses, the uniqueness of each one and the all-encompassing activity that goes with a raceday.

The 2020 Go Racing In Yorkshire Summer Festival will begin at Ripon on Saturday, July 18 and continues until Sunday July 26.

Robin O’Ryan, Assistant to Richard Fahey, receiving the Byerley Turk trophy from Clare and Mark Oglesby of Goldsborough Hall
Michael Shinners, Sky Bet Head of Sports PR presenting the leading jockey prize to Danny Tudhope.

Jockey Daniel Tudhope is hoping he can continue his recent fantastic form into the Go Racing In Yorkshire Summer Festival, which begins on Saturday 20th July, as the race to be crowned Champion Flat Jockey heats up.

The 33-year-old has enjoyed a superb start to the season, securing 62 wins and finding himself at the top of the 2019 Flat Jockeys’ Championship.

Tudhope, who is based in Thirsk, was named top jockey at the 2017 and 2018 Go Racing In Yorkshire Summer Festivals and securing the hat-trick is firm on his mind.

He said: “The Go Racing In Yorkshire Festival is great, I have been top jockey for the last two years and I’m certainly hoping to repeat that this year. I love riding in Yorkshire and for local trainers, so it’s brilliant when I get the chance to do that. The festival also adds a bit of healthy competition amongst us jockeys, which is good, as everyone wants to be top jockey at the end.”

The Go Racing In Yorkshire Summer Festival takes place from Saturday 20th July – Sunday 28th July, featuring ten race meetings across eight racecourses in Yorkshire:

  • Saturday 20th July – Ripon
  • Saturday 20th July (Evening) – Doncaster
  • Sunday 21st July – Redcar
  • Monday 22nd July (Evening) – Beverley
  • Wednesday 24th July – Catterick
  • Thursday 25th July (Evening) – Doncaster
  • Friday 26th July – Thirsk
  • Friday 26th July (Evening) – York
  • Saturday 27th July – York
  • Sunday 28th July – Pontefract

39 of Tudhope’s victories this season have been at Yorkshire tracks, including his 1,000th UK career victory with the David O’Meara-trained Ingleby Hollow at Thirsk Racecourse last month.

Tudhope and O’Meara, who is also based in Yorkshire, have enjoyed 29 wins together this year and a staggering 420 throughout Tudhope’s career.

Other notable wins for Tudhope this season include a terrific double on the opening day of Royal Ascot, firstly with Lord Glitters in the Queen Anne Stakes, which is part of the 2019 QIPCO British Champions Series, and then with Addeybb in the Wolferston Stakes.

He then secured two additional Royal Ascot wins, aboard Move Swiftly in the Duke of Cambridge Stakes and Space Traveller in the Jersey Stakes.

Tudhope’s win with Lord Glitters in the Queen Anne Stakes was his first success in the 2019 QIPCO British Champions Series.

Tudhope continued: “Obviously I would love to be Champion Jockey, that would be the dream, but there is a long way to go and I just want to ride as many winners as possible.”

Editorial and photograph courtesy of Great British Racing

Racehorse Trainer, Karl Burke feels there’s no better place to live and work than in Yorkshire as he prepares for the Go Racing In Yorkshire Summer Festival which begins this Saturday 20th July.

Discussing his love for Yorkshire in an interview with Great British Racing, the 56-year-old said: “First and foremost it’s a beautiful place to live. I’ve always been somebody who wanted the workplace to be separate from the living place and here you get the best of both worlds – a great place to work in and a great place to live in.”

Burke is based at Spigot Lodge in Leyburn and has been there ever since he moved to Yorkshire from Newmarket back in 2001. One of the biggest wins of his career to date came at York Racecourse when Libertarian stormed to victory in the 2013 Dante Stakes at the huge price of 33/1.

As a day that still lives as Karl’s fondest memory of racing in Yorkshire, he said: “That was pretty special. At the time it was the first Yorkshire-trained winner in the race for 70 odd years, that was a great thrill.”

Discussing the Go Racing In Yorkshire Summer Festival, Burke said: “It’s a great concept. A great advert for Yorkshire, advertising not only the tracks, but the trainers, the facilities that we’ve all got as well as Yorkshire in general.

“We’ve got a couple of horses that could be competitive in the two-year-old races during the festival – Seize The Time is a nice filly. Divinity will do very well, she’s already won at Ripon earlier this year and if there’s one of those Handicaps at Ripon and she turns up there, she’ll be very competitive.”

On the fixtures he’s most looking forward to during the festival, he said: “The obvious one is York. It’s a fantastic track, great facilities for Owners and Trainers and fantastic prize money. I equally enjoy those meetings at Thirsk and Ripon – They’re so close and that makes it a pleasure to go to.”

The Go Racing In Yorkshire Summer Festival takes place from Saturday 20th July – Sunday 28th July, featuring 10 race meetings across eight racecourses in Yorkshire:

  • Saturday 20th July – Ripon
  • Saturday 20th July (Evening) – Doncaster
  • Sunday 21st July – Redcar
  • Monday 22nd July (Evening) – Beverley
  • Wednesday 24th July – Catterick
  • Thursday 25th July (Evening) – Doncaster
  • Friday 26th July – Thirsk
  • Friday 26th July (Evening) – York
  • Saturday 27th July – York
  • Sunday 28th July – Pontefract

Go Racing In Yorkshire will also host an open afternoon at Jack Berry House in Malton on Tuesday 23rd July.

Racing Welfare, a registered charity which supports the workforce of British horseracing, is to be the beneficiary of this year’s Go Racing in Yorkshire Summer Festival, sponsored by Sky Bet.

Richard Hammill, Chief Operating Officer and Clerk of the Course at Pontefract Racecourse and member of the Go Racing in Yorkshire Marketing Committee said,

“We wanted to work with Racing Welfare because they are the dominant charity that looks after people who work in the racing industry.  We are particularly keen for them to focus on mental health and wellbeing as this is a very current and relevant subject and Racing Welfare have services to help people who might be suffering and, just as importantly teach people to look after their mental health, as they would their physical health.”

A representative from Racing Welfare will be at each of the Summer Festival race meetings, talking about the work that the charity does, who they can help and how.  There will also be an exit collection from some courses.

Dawn Goodfellow, Chief Executive of Racing Welfare said,

“The Summer Festival is a superb initiative and we are delighted to be the beneficiary charity for this year.  Go Racing in Yorkshire does a fantastic job of promoting the rich offering of racing in the county and funds raised from our association will go towards extending the reach of our mental health support services.  We’re very proud to be involved with the Summer Festival this year and hope that many people will come racing over the nine days.”

As the charity of the week, Racing Welfare will also receive a £500 cheque, courtesy of the leading jockey of the festival which is sponsored by Sky Bet.

The Go Racing in Yorkshire Summer Festival takes place from Saturday, July 20 to Sunday, July 28, when there will 10 race meetings, over nine days at eight courses.  In addition, there will be an open afternoon at Jack Berry House on Tuesday, July 23.

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STAR filly Laurens has been given an upbeat assessment by her trainer as she recovers from a minor injury and prepares to add another Group 1 victory to her glittering career.

Karl Burke, based near Leyburn, was speaking today at the launch of the Go Racing In Yorkshire Summer Festival.

The Spigot Lodge trainer reported that John Dance’s brilliant filly had suffered a minor injury when sixth in Royal Ascot’s Queen Anne Stakes but she is now on target for the Group 1 Prix Rothschild at Deauville in July 28.

“It’s very frustrating but it’s a small strain on the tendon below the hock on her hind leg so we’ve been very cautious with her,” said Burke.

“She’s been walking round free as a bird and cantering great and I’m sure we can get her back. We’ve got a couple of weeks ahead of the race in Deauville and there’s still four or five more chances to get another Group 1 before she retires. She owes us nothing.”

After Deauville, the plan is to defend her crown in the Group 1 Matron Stakes at Leopardstown on September 14, and connections hope she will end her career with a tilt at the Breeders Cup Mile.

Laurens was the star turn at the launch of the 14th Go Racing In Yorkshire Summer Festival, which is now in its 14th year, with ten meetings over nine days at eight racecourses: Ripon, July 20; Doncaster July 20 (evening); Redcar, July 21; Beverley, July 22 (evening); Catterick, July 24; Doncaster, July 25 (evening);  Thirsk, July 26; York, July 26 (evening);  York, July 27; Pontefract, July 28.

“It’s a great initiative to showcase the Yorkshire racecourses,” said Burke, who is in his 18th year at Spigot Lodge, having moved north from Newmarket. “I honestly wouldn’t want to train anywhere else now – the quality of life in Yorkshire is great, and the facilities at Middleham are as good as anywhere.”

This year’s festival is sponsored by Sky Bet with a £1,000 prize up for grabs for the champion jockey in the series.

Jockey Ben Curtis, who regularly rides for Burke, said: “Danny Tudhope won it last year so there’s a bit of banter between the lads because it creates a bit more interest. We’ve got some brilliant courses in Yorkshire and anything that encourages people to come racing is great to see.”

Asked for horses to watch out for at the festival, Burke nominated Gin Gembre, who is scheduled to run in a Ripon seller on the first day of the festival, and three-year-old filly Divinity, described as “a very good handicapper”.

Meanwhile, Burke expects a big run from two-year-old colt Classy Moon in the Group 2 July Stakes at Newmarket tomorrow (Thursday). “He’s a lovely horse who could run very well. The bare form of his last run at Carlisle looks nothing special but he could make up four or five lengths on that performance at Newmarket. He’s shown us a high level at home.”

The trainer also thinks another two-year-old, Miss Lucy, is also capable of running well at a big price in the British Stallion Studs EBF Maiden Fillies’ Stakes tomorrow.

Further ahead, Burke is hoping for a tilt at the Ebor Handicap at York in August with Kelly’s Dino,  comfortable winner of the Old Newton Cup Handicap at Haydock on Saturday.

“He won with his ears pricked so we think there’s plenty in the tank,” he said.

Kelly’s Dino is entered in the Group 3 John Smith’s Silver Cup Stakes over 1m 6f at York on Saturday and the trainer explained: “He’s rated 102 at the moment but it might need a bit more than that to get into the Ebor this year so the idea is that if he runs well in a Group 3 on Saturday, he might get the extra couple of pounds from the handicapper that he needs.”

Dubai Station, third in the Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot, could also be destined for the York Ebor Festival, with connections keen to go for the Gimcrack Stakes.

“He’s a progressive horse and he’s done really well since Ascot,” said Burke.

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Yorkshire racing enthusiasts are bracing themselves for an exciting week as the Go Racing in Yorkshire Summer Festival is nearly upon us.

Starting at Ripon on Saturday, July 20, there will be 10 race meetings, over nine days at eight different racecourses, culminating in an exciting finale at Pontefract on Sunday, July 28.

Sponsored by Sky Bet, the festival, now in its 12th year, continues to grow, along with the enthusiasm for the event.

“It’s been great working with the Yorkshire racecourses who have made this festival a fantastic success.  Together, we have grown it and it’s good fun.  Each racecourse has something different going on and it’s a fabulous showcase of the different Yorkshire courses.”  Said Michael Shinners, Head of Sports PR at Sky Bet.

“The dates conveniently fall in the school summer holidays so families can come,” continued Michael.  “They can take picnics into some areas of the courses and with the different activities on offer it creates a fun chilled out atmosphere.”

Throughout the week, the title for leading trainer and leading jockey will be fiercely contested with some great prizes on offer.  The leading trainer award is sponsored by Goldsborough Hall, the former residence of HRH Princess Mary and now a privately-owned historic house and gardens that you can visit, dine and stay in.

“We know how important racing is to Yorkshire and are delighted to sponsor the leading trainer award at the Summer Festival.” Said Clare Oglesby, who, along with her husband Mark, owns Goldsborough Hall.

“Legend says that the Byerly Turk, recognised as one of the founding stallions, is buried on the estate so our connections to the racing industry are very strong.” Enthused Clare.

Sky Bet also sponsor the leading jockey prize, the winner of which receives £1,000 plus a £500 donation to charity.

And it’s not just action on the track during the week as Jack Berry House, the injured jockeys’ rehabilitation centre in Malton opens its doors to the public for an open afternoon on Tuesday, July 23.

“We are very important to the racing community in Yorkshire, playing our part in the recovery of injured jockeys and racing staff in the area.  In addition, our gym is available to all those involved in racing, as well as access to our expert staff who can help with fitness, physio and nutrition.” Said Jo Russell, Resident Manager of Jack Berry House.

The open afternoon, which starts at 1.30pm will give visitors the opportunity to have a tour of the centre, take part in some jockey training activities and artefacts from Malton Museum’s exhibition of the horse will also be on show.

At 3.30pm there will be a screening of the film Seabiscuit, the legendary American horse that raised the hopes of the Americans through the difficult depression era and is based on a true story.  Tickets will be limited and cost £7.50 each.  They need to be booked through Go Racing in Yorkshire by contacting charlotte.russell@goracing.co.uk.

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