Yorkshire Jockeys Horse Racing

Beverley Logo Catterick Logo Doncaster Logo Pontefract Logo Redcar Logo Ripon Logo Thirsk Logo Wetherby Logo York Logo

The Ode To The Horse
Where in this wide world can man find nobility without pride, friendship without envy or beauty without vanity?
 
Here, where grace is laced with muscle, and strength by gentleness confined. He serves without servility; he has fought without enmity.
 
There is nothing so powerful, nothing less violent, there is nothing so quick, nothing more patient. England’s past has been borne on his back. All our history is his industry; we are his heirs, he our inheritance. The Horse!”
 
By Ronald Duncan
 
written in 1954

The Racecourse Association has announced today that a further trial of lunchtime racing will take place this Autumn over a five-week period. The first trial earlier in 2019, initiated at the behest of the Horserace Betting Levy Board’s Betting Liaison Group, consisted of three fixtures during May and June commencing at 12 noon in a bid to assess the impact on turnover of widening the time in which racing is available for betting customers, potentially providing additional income for the sport.

One fixture per week from 25 September will now start at 12.15pm, with the first four races at each fixture taking place at 30-minute intervals.

The initiative is again being supported by the Levy Board and is based upon promising signs from the betting turnover on the three lunchtime fixtures held earlier this year, particularly in terms of online customers.

The lunchtime trial fixtures are as follows:

 

Wednesday 25 September: REDCAR

Wednesday 2 October: BANGOR-ON-DEE

Wednesday 9 October: LUDLOW

Thursday 17 October: CARLISLE

Wednesday 23 October: WORCESTER

 

Andy Clifton, Racing Director at the Racecourse Association, said: “The trial of lunchtime racing earlier this year demonstrated that there is an appetite from betting customers for racing at this time of day and I am grateful to all of the racecourses taking part this Autumn.

“We wanted to gain further evidence from bookmakers, horsemen, racecourses and racegoers from an extended trial over five consecutive weeks to ascertain whether this might become a more permanent part of the fixture mix moving forward, especially in a time of falling revenues.”

The Royal Patron of York Racecourse, His Royal Highness The Duke of York, KG will help celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of the John Smith’s Cup. The longest running sponsorship in flat racing will mark its 60th running on Saturday 13 July at York Racecourse.

First won by Fougalle back in 1960, the milestone will be noted by a Royal presentation of the unique Wedgewood Trophy, after the completion of the £200,000 contest.

Throughout the afternoon celebrations will continue with a giant flag, fun installations for the selfie generation as well as a display of images of both the race and the wider world over those six decades.

The Duke will lay a time capsule near the Parade Ring, that marks that history and points to the future of the race; containing memorabilia from down the years, as well as the raw ingredients of the brew from its Yorkshire homeland and samples of the finished product, both Magnet Ale and Johns Smith’s.

Watching from the stands will be previous winning jockeys in the race such as Philip Makin (2015) and Jimmy Quinn (1998) as well as successful Yorkshire trainers David Barron, Richard Fahey and Karl Burke who have been proud to land the prize. Regular racegoers at the meeting and members of the brewery staff at Tadcaster will be amongst those who will be introduced to His Royal Highness.

Of course, there will be a special commemorative cake.

On the track the £200,000 prize money of the feature contest makes the John Smith’s Cup the richest middle distance handicap in Britain.

Named after Britain’s best-selling ale, it is the centrepiece of a seven-race programme that now includes the recently upgraded John Smith’s Silver Cup as a Group Three contest worth £65,000 and the Listed John Smith’s City Walls sprint..

The opening day on the Friday features a commemorative fly past by RAF Tucano aircraft from nearby Linton-on-Ouse; regular if fleeting visitors to this occasion. There will be a collection for an RAF charity on the ground.

As a racing highlight on Friday is the Group Three William Hill Summer Stakes, offering a black type opportunity to the fastest filly down the six furlong course, as well as marking the provider of SP Betting shop services on the Knavesmire.

One of Europe’s most prestigious and competitive middle-distance heritage handicap contests, the winning owner will join His Royal Highness on the podium on Saturday as he presents the specially-commissioned perpetual Wedgwood challenge trophy as well as a special diamond themed memento

Since Fougalle was the first winner back in 1960, there have been many dramatic moments, with the race becoming a major betting heat of the summer. In 2018, Euchen Glen provided trainer Jim Goldie with a first win in the race, indeed a first win for a thoroughbred stabled in Scotland. It was a big day for jockey Alistair Rawlinson who also landed his first win in the race.

The Group Three John Smith’s Silver Cup continues to be a valued title for stayers, last year, the Marco Botti trained Dylan Mouth, recorded his final victory before starting a new career at stud.

The sprinters have their say in the Listed John Smith’s City Walls over five furlongs and the 2016 winner, Marsha, went on to multiple success at Group One level, including the Coolmore Nunthorpe, before going into the record books when she was sold to become a broodmare.

Always one of the big days of the year, this event has become a showcase for ‘Yorkshire’s Finest’, and sees John Smith’s treasuring its Yorkshire roots with a full Yorkshire menu of locally-sourced and home-made food. In addition, there will be a number of cask ales available at the racecourse, thanks to collaboration with fellow Yorkshire brewers, Theakston’s.

The highlight on Friday, The William Hill Summer Stakes, is a Group Three sprint contest over six furlongs for fillies and mares, with a purse of £65,000. Last year’s race was won by Raven’s Lady for Newmarket trainer, Marco Botti; further success at Group Two level in Germany followed and she now races on the American stage.

Friday sees a number of other long-standing supporters of the Knavesmire return with Acturis back in attendance; alongside the accountancy firm responsible for audit matters at the track, Garbutt + Elliott. Once again, it is an “ITM Friday” as the Irish organisation responsible for promoting bloodstock sales from the emerald isle back a five furlong handicap.

The two days of racing get underway with an interesting novice contest over the unusual distance of five and a half furlongs. It is among the twenty-one contests backed by the European Breeders’ Fund.

Catering for broad musical tastes, both days offer the summer vibe of a steel band or the upbeat fun of Doctor Thirsty and after racing, The Monotones.

The Giant Screen overlooking the Roberto Lawn will continue to provide a home to Wimbledon coverage on Friday and earlier on Saturday.

A number of other giant screens will enable racegoers to enjoy even more of the action on both days, along with racing from Newmarket’s July Meeting and Ascot. The popular punters’ panel held prior to racing on the winners’ podium will preview the card on both days.

[su_custom_gallery source=”media: 7624,7912″ width=”220″ height=”220″]

Catterick Racecourse continues to support local, Darlington-based charity St Teresa’s Hospice this year with its annual race day on Wednesday 10 July.

This year marks the thirteenth running of the St Teresa’s Charity Race Day, where racegoers can enjoy Pantomime Horse Racing action ahead of an action-packed seven race card. The first race on the day is scheduled for 2pm, with the gates opening to the public at 12 noon.

Ahead of the first race, at approximately 12.45pm, the Pantomime Horses will have their turn in the Parade Ring. This year’s entries include two horses, a donkey and a cow: Looker’s VW Darlington’s “Wonky Donkey” and “Vin Petrol”, Clark Willis Solicitors “Lucky Legal Legs” and Purple Creative’s “Moo-dy Blues”

The St Teresa’s Hospice Pantomime Horse Race will take place at 1pm on the final furlong of the track, where contenders sprint to the winning post in a bid to be crowned this year’s champion.

John Paul Stabler, Fundraising & Marketing Manager at St Teresa’s Hospice said: “We are thrilled to be returning to Catterick Racecourse for our 13th Charity Race Day, and we aim to bring some extra fun and excitement with our annual Panto Horse Race. We’re glad to see Lookers VW Darlington’s “Wonky Donkey” returning for another go after their disastrous (but hilarious) performance in 2018, and we encourage everyone to come along to cheer all of the runners and riders on at 1pm.”

Footage from last year’s Pantomime Horse Race went viral, with over 4.5 million views on the racecourse’s Facebook page alone, following Wonky Donkey’s altercation with the rails.

St Teresa’s will also be holding a raffle on the day, with fantastic prizes on offer including Annual Membership for two people at Catterick Races in 2020, Sunday Lunch for four guests at Headlam Hall Country Hotel & Spa and Go Karting for four people at Teesside Karting. Tickets (£1 each) will be available to purchase from St Teresa’s stand by the Parade Ring throughout the afternoon.

The raffle will be drawn ahead of the last race on the card, scheduled for 5pm.

John Paul added: “This event is an important fundraiser for St Teresa’s Hospice, and we are incredibly grateful to Fiona and the team for their support, helping us to continue providing free care and support to the residents of North Yorkshire and South Durham, completely free of charge. The cost of our services is now over £3 million each year and we rely on the support of our local community, so please support the Hospice by buying a raffle ticket or giving your loose change to our collectors as you leave.”

Last year, the race day at Catterick Racecourse raised £4,255.79 for St Teresa’s Hospice.

As with all Catterick’s fixtures, a free shuttle bus will bring racegoers from Richmond Market Place to the racecourse approximately an hour before the first race and will return after the last race. Accompanied under 18’s race free and a big screen will be at the course on the day to give racegoers the best views of all the action.

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

[su_custom_gallery source=”media: 130,7888,7889,7890″ width=”220″ height=”220″]

DUAL Group 2 winner Sir Dancealot is the star name among five declarations received for the Listed Equinity Technology Ganton Stakes – the feature contest on tomorrow’s intriguing seven-race card at York.

Trained in Newmarket by the evergreen David Elsworth, the five-year-old captured last season’s Lennox Stakes and Hungerford Stakes during a twelve-start campaign that yielded four victories.

Having made a pleasing return to finish midfield in the Group 1 Lockinge Stakes at Newbury last month, the son of Sir Prancealot is set to make his third start over one mile on the Knavesmire, as long as the rainfall that has affected many part of the UK clears away.

“We’d obviously like to run, but we’ll have to play it by ear with the weather,” Elsworth said.

“He was due to run in the John O’Gaunt Stakes at Haydock last Saturday but we pulled him out as the ground got heavy.”

Reflecting on his reappearance performance, Elsworth added: “He’s been fine after the Lockinge and he’s in good form. Arguably, he could have just needed the run at Newbury but, even so, if he runs as well as he did there at York it will put him on the premises.”

Sir Dancealot has previous experience of the Knavesmire having landed the coral.co.uk Listed Rockingham Stakes in 2016, prior to finishing third behind Harry Angel in the Group 2 Duke Of York Clipper Logistics Stakes last season.

Both of those contests were run over six furlongs and Elsworth is considering a return to sprinting with his charge having entered him in the Group 1 July Cup at Newmarket.

“We’ve got a second half of the season campaign mapped out for him,” Elsworth said. “He’s in the July Cup and he’s obviously got speed. His trip is not an exact science, but we’ll throw our hat in the ring at York.”

Sir Dancealot will once again be partnered by regular rider Gerald Mosse and Elsworth is unfazed how the race will pan out from a tactical perspective.

He said: “I’ll leave the steering to the jockey, but he settles well and he’s quite an amenable horse – he’s pretty straightforward.”

Rated 115, Sir Dancealot is 3lb clear of his nearest rival on official figures, that being Owen Burrows’ course and distance winner Wadilsafa, who will carry a penalty for his comfortable success in the Listed Fortune Stakes at Sandown last year.

Elsewhere in the £50,000 contest, the consistent Oh This Is Us will make his eighth start of the year for Richard Hannon, while two members of the Classic generation will try to topple their elders.

They are the Andrew Balding-trained Happy Power, who finished close-up behind subsequent Group 3 winner Safe Voyage in the Listed Spring Trophy at Haydock last month, and David Simcock’s Raakib Alhawa.

York’s latest two-day meeting gets underway on Friday afternoon with the first race due off at 1.50pm.

Summer Sands booked his place at Royal Ascot with a classy victory in the £40,000 Truckingby Brian Yeardley Two-Year-Old Trophy at Beverley on Saturday.

Sent off an 11-4 chance in a hot five-runner affair, Richard Fahey’s two-year-old son of Coach House from the outset looked the real deal in the hands of Barry McHugh.

Summer Sands, owned by the Cool Silk Partnership, travelled kindly for much of the five-furlong journey before he took control inside the final 100 yards.

Brave runner-up Oh Purple Reign put up a spirited performance, but Fahey’s juvenile, who was an eyecatching third at York on his debut, kicked on to score by half a length.

Cool Silk partner Peter Swann, who is also chairman of Scunthorpe Utd, said: “This horse pleased us at York, when Barry didn’t give him a hard time.

“We knew he’d progress from that and since then he’s just grown and grown.

“This was a good race, but he’s done it so well in the end and looks a proper racehorse.

“This is a nice prize to win, though, and hopefully we can get to Royal Ascot with him – for me, he looks like a Coventry horse.”

Fahey added: “We were pleased with him at York and the form from that race has worked out quite well.

“We thought he’d improve for that and he’s done just that.

“Things can all change, but if I was choosing, you’d say he’d go for the Coventry Stakes.”

Yorkshire-based jockey Daniel Tudhope today secured his 1,000th UK career victory with Ingleby Hollow at Thirsk Racecourse this afternoon, joining an illustrious list of jockeys to have reached the landmark.

Tudhope joins the likes of Frankie Dettori and three-time Champion Flat Jockey, Silvestre De Sousa, to have reached the milestone.

The win was his second of the day following an earlier win on Ninjago and marked his 63rd success at Thirsk, Tudhope’s local track and his fourth-highest performing racecourse behind Wolverhampton (98), Ayr (76), and Southwell (72).

On reaching the landmark, the 33-year-old, said: “It’s obviously a fantastic achievement and something I’m very proud to have done. It was even more special to do it at Thirsk, which is where I live, and to do it with all my family there is great.”

Ingleby Follow is trained by David O’Meara, who is also based in Yorkshire, and the win marks Tudhope’s 413th victory for the trainer. Discussing the influence of him in reaching the milestone, Tudhope said: “Without the likes of David and my agent, Laura Way, I wouldn’t be here. It’s all down to them.”

Notable victories amongst the 1,000 include two UK Group 1 triumphs, most recently with Laurens in the Kingdom of Bahrain Sun Chariot Stakes at Newmarket and back in 2014 with the O’Meara-trained G Force in the Betfred Sprint Cup at Haydock.
Tudhope also enjoyed a victory with Lord Glitters, also trained by David O’Meara in the Balmoral Handicap on the 2017 QIPCO British Champions Day.

Discussing his career highlights, he said: “The win on G-Force in the Sprint Cup at Haydock back in 2014 definitely stands out for me. Being my first ever Group 1 win, that is something I will never forget.”

Thank you to Great British Racing for this content

A group of Yorkshire jockeys have come together to help those less fortunate than themselves, working with the Harrogate Homeless Project.

Often travelling to race meetings with only the contents of a washbag – most jockeys equipment is transported between racecourses via the valets who work in the weighing room – the jockeys have filled spare washbags with useful contents in a bid to help people in difficult circumstances.

The idea is the brainchild of Adele Mulrennan whose husband Paul is a leading Yorkshire jockey.  Adele said, “I have seen people sleeping rough in Harrogate and wanted to do something to help.  I spoke to the team at the Harrogate Homeless Project who suggested some useful products and Paul gave me one of his washbags to put them in.  He thought that some of the other lads in the weighing room would get involved too and the idea has spiralled!”

“The support from the jockeys has been great, but the biggest challenge has been collecting the completed bags, particularly as racing was cancelled for a few days due to the equine influenza outbreak.  Fortunately once it resumed we were able to pick up the momentum again.”

A number of Yorkshire racecourses have also got involved making up their own washbags and by donating items and clothing.  Jonjo Sanderson, Chief Executive of Wetherby Racecourse said, “When we heard what the jockeys were doing we were keen to support them.  This is a great initiative and a good way to help the local community.”

Liz Hancock, Chief Executive of Harrogate Homeless Project Ltd was delighted at the support from the racing industry, “We are grateful for all donations received and this cause has really resonated among the jockeys,” said Liz.  She continued, “The donations that have come from the racing community will be very beneficial and help us to continue our work.”

[su_custom_gallery source=”media: 7372″ width=”220″ height=”220″]

Pictured from left to right are jockeys Andrew Mullen and Rachel Richardson, Charlotte Fortune – Service User Manager from Harrogate Homeless Project Ltd and jockey Paul Mulrennan.

A highlight in the northern racing calendar, the hugely popular Middleham Open Day returns this year on Good Friday, 19th April 2019.  Tickets are on sale now for this fabulous event which showcases racing in Middleham’s stunning surroundings, offering a superb day out for racing fans and families alike. 

 

Visitors to Middleham on Good Friday will be welcomed into training yards throughout the town, including Mark Johnston’s record-breaking stable where all will be invited to take in his fantastic facilities and watch swimming demonstrations at Kingsley House.  Newly crowned Lycetts Team Champion Award winner Jedd O’Keefe opens up the home of the inimitable Sam Spinner again this year, whilst Group 1 winning trainer Karl Burke will also be throwing open the gates of his Spigot Lodge yard.  James Bethell’s Thorngill Stables will too be open for visitors, as will the yards of Micky Hammond, Ben Haslam, Julia Brooke, Simon West, Andy Crook, Barry Keniry, Foulrice Park Racing and Chris Fairhurst.

[su_custom_gallery source=”media: 7362,7363″ width=”220″ height=”220″]

Yards will be open from 9.30am until 1pm.  The morning will also see a parade of the Bedale Foxhounds through the centre of the town at 11am, and a parade and jumping demonstration from James Bethell at his yard at around noon.

 

Events move to the beautiful location of Middleham’s Low Moor from 1.30pm.  The afternoon’s entertainment kicks off with the Retraining of Racehorses (ROR) parade, followed by the ever popular and hotly contested Inter-Yard Team Challenge, incorporating the Donkey Derby.  The Pony Club showjumping relay competition returns for this year, and there will be food and drink stalls on the moor to keep all visitors well fed and watered throughout the afternoon.

 

Middleham Open Day is a highlight in Racing Welfare’s annual calendar of events, drawing over 3000 people to the town on the day.  Proceeds from the event will go towards funding regional Racing Welfare projects, including the Hill House development in the town, which is being re-developed in association with the Jessica Bethell Charitable Foundation.  The project will support the local racing community by providing young people’s accommodation as well as community rooms, a gym and treatment facilities.  A proportion of funds raised on the day will also be donated to local good causes including the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

 

Racing Welfare’s Northern Regional Welfare Manager, Sarah Fanning, said, “Middleham Open Day is a fantastic event and one that we are very proud to bring to the public.  We are passionate about showcasing racing within the town and surrounding areas and visitors can expect a very warm welcome in Middleham.  The open day really does bring the whole racing community together and we look forward to presenting a day out that has something for everyone.”

 

Tickets to the event are on sale now at www.middlehamopenday.co.uk with adult tickets priced at £12.50, concessions at £8.50.  Under 16s go free of charge.

[ENDS]

 

Press contact: Felicity Marshall 07966 296 838; fmarshall@racingwelfare.co.uk

Katie Maini is certainly finding her local course at Doncaster to be a lucky venue as she was named the Go Racing In Yorkshire Best Dressed Lady for 2018 on Saturday (October 27).
It was the third time this year that Katie had been the big winner at Doncaster after she landed both the spring competition and the Doncaster Best Dressed Lady competition earlier this year.
“I can’t believe it” gasped Katie, who works for a legal firm in Doncaster, “it is just fantastic to win”.
Nine beautifully attired ladies lined up for the final, each representing the racecourse where they had been successful earlier in the year and the judges had their work cut out to decide between them.
The judges were Helen McIlroy from the Best Western Mount Pleasant Hotel and Spa at Bawtry, Annette and Emma Woolliams, who own the fashion boutique Yasmin of Bawtry and Epworth and Julie Short, a previous winner of the competition, who was representing loveVintageDiamonds.com.
Katie wins a gorgeous vintage diamond ring, a spa weekend at the Best Western Mount Pleasant Hotel and a £500 voucher to spend on a new outfit at Yasmin of Bawtry.

Trainer Pam Sly is this Wednesday (May 30) determined to finally end a 13-year wait for a Beverley winner.

Sly has hit the target just once from 45 previous runners at the picturesque East Yorkshire venue.

But the Peterborough-based handler is quietly optimistic she can at last set the record straight with Spinart, who would be following in some significant hoofprints if he can get his head in front.

After all, Sly’s last winner at Beverley was Speciosa, who claimed victory in a seven-and-a-half-furlong maiden in August 2005.

That triumph served as a springboard towards greatness as she famously won the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket a year later.

Spinart has, obviously, been plying his trade at a lower level, but his trainer is upbeat about his chances in the seven-and-a-half-furlong Give Racing A Try Handicap at 3pm.

The five-year-old chestnut was last seen finishing second in an apprentices’ handicap at Catterick in April – his first try over seven furlongs.

Sly said: “He’s still a maiden, sadly, but he’s just been a bit naughty rather than anything else.

“He’s been a rather weak horse, but he looked quicker and a bit stronger when we dropped him back in trip at Catterick.

“Connor (Murtagh) gave him a great ride at Catterick – he wasn’t too hard on him – and it’s good that he’s riding him again at Beverley.

“A few showers wouldn’t hurt his cause as he’s a horse that likes a bit of cut in the ground, but he’s in fine form and hopefully he’ll go well.

“It’s been a long time since we had a Beverley winner, but it’s a lovely course and I also have great affection for the place after what Speciosa did there.”

Sly’s 1000 Guineas heroine was memorably labelled by her trainer as a “witch” with a “severe temperament” when she won at Beverley.

Speciosa was retired in 2007 to take up broodmare duties, but Sly said: “She still is a bit headstrong, even after all these years.

“She’s calmed down a bit, but she can still cart you around the place if she feels like it.

“She’s just had a colt by Nathaniel and all her fillies have already won, so it’s nice she’s doing well as a broodmare.

“I can’t believe it was 12 years ago since she won the Guineas – it really does feel like yesterday.”

Beverley’s eight-race card on Wednesday starts at 1.30pm, with the going reported on Tuesday morning as being good to firm, good in places.

The forecast for Half-Term Raceday with Hull FC is for cloud, a chance of showers and a high of 18C.

The 2019 Go Racing in Yorkshire Summer Festival will be

Sat 20 July to Sunday 28th July

 

Paul Mulrennan gears up for arguably his biggest challenge on a racecourse at Beverley on Tuesday.
With the eyes of the sporting world fixed upon the East Yorkshire circuit, the Group One-winning jockey is ready to unleash black Labrador Stella in the inaugural running of the Burgess Supadog Bark de Triomphe.
Stella, a chiselled veteran of the northern circuit, will be joined in the Bark de Triomphe line-up by housemate Peggy, a miniature Jack Russell who is trained by Mulrennan’s wife, Adele.
Paul Mulrennan said: “It’s obviously a high-pressure situation, but it’s a nice kind of pressure.
“I’m sure the nerves will kick in eventually, but the team are happy and relaxed and the atmosphere in the camp is very positive.
“Stella and Peggy are as well as they can be without having had a run.
“As long as we get that all important luck in running, you’d expect both of them to show their true colours.”
Adele and Paul Mulrennan are two of the 11 licensed jockeys to have made the seamless transition from riding winners to training dogs in the half-a-furlong dash to canine glory on the Westwood.
The class K9 affair for eight-month-olds and upwards will be staged in aid of Antibiotic Research UK and features two Bark Trials at 1.15pm and 1.20pm.
The first three dogs home in each heat will then contest the grand final of the Bark de Triomphe at 1.25pm.
With a total prize fund of unbelievable kudos and a bag of Burgess Supadog up for grabs, the stakes could barely be higher.
Paul Mulrennan added: “Both dogs are fit and well and champing at the bit.
“Stella is getting on a bit now, but her home-work has been good and she’s experienced enough by now to handle the demands of Beverley.
“She’s been on a diet of white fish and water to get down to her fighting weight, and I think we have her just about spot-on, in truth.
“Peggy, on the other hand, was born for a day like this.
“She’s a lean, mean fighting machine with a big engine and a touch of class. Put it this way, she knows she’s top dog.
“She might be a miniature Jack Russell, but Peggy is a Yorkshire terrier in every sense of the word in that she never knows when she’s beaten.
“It will be a big day for the Mulrennan family, but an even bigger day for Stella and Peggy.
“Here’s hoping they can put their best paw forward and lead by example.”
The Burgess Supadog Bark de Triomphe has already raised over £3,000 for Antibiotic Research UK.
Donations can be made by following this link: www.justgiving.com/campaigns/charity/antibiotic-researchuk/barkdetriomphe2017
Mulrennan added: “It’s a great initiative and for a really good cause.
“This is just something a little bit different that will hopefully catch the imagination of racegoers and punters.”
The first of eight (horse) races at Beverley starts at 2pm, with the official going on Monday morning reported to be heavy.

SPRINT queen Quiet Reflection could make her seasonal reappearance in the Group 2 Duke of York Clipper Logistics Stakes at York on Wednesday 17 May. The richest ever renewal of the contest now worth £125,000

The Karl Burke-trained star was given the 2016 Cartier Sprinter Award after winning two Group 1s – the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot and the Sprint Cup (Haydock Park).

Owned by Ontoawinner, Hubert Strecker and Karl and Elaine Burke, the four-year-old filly remains in training for 2017 – and is delighting connections with her physical progress.

Quiet Reflection is very much on target for a return to the track in May, with the six-furlong sprint showpiece of York’s opening day, under serious consideration.

Yorkshire-based trainer Burke said: “She has wintered brilliantly – we’re really pleased with her. We’re just starting to pick up the speed in her work now and she should be fully fit the first week of May, with the intention of either going for the Duke of York or possibly the Temple Stakes the week after.

“Hopefully the ground will be decent at York and we can go there – I just wouldn’t want to run her on real fast ground.

“She has definitely filled her frame. She was 10 kilos heavier through most of the winter, although a few kilos of that have come off now. After Christmas – after her break – when we started riding her again, I think she was 12 or 13 kilos heavier than when she finished last season.

“Like a lot of those sprinters, they fill their frames as they get older – she has definitely done that. She’s definitely stronger and hopefully that will transfer into her running a bit quicker on the track.”

A campaign for Quiet Reflection’s season almost maps itself, Royal Ascot and after that, she could take in the Darley July Cup before possibly tackling the Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes back at York. Burke also mentions the Sprint Cup and QIPCO Champions Day as being very much in his thinking.

Whenever and wherever she runs, Burke is keen for all who are connected to her to soak up every minute of it, with a view to her achievements being celebrated once more at the end of season Cartier Awards.

Burke, who trains at Spigot Lodge in Leyburn, said: “It would be nice to think that we can be invited to those type of awards again.”

He added: “It’s what you do the job for – get up early in the mornings for – to find a horse like her. We have to really enjoy it this year.

“Whatever she does, she owes us nothing and I think it’s important that we all enjoy and take it in this year. Last year there was a bit of pressure to get there – now we’ve done it, they can’t take it away from us.”

Last year’s Duke of York Clipper Logistics Stakes winner Magical Memory is also pencilled in for a return visit to the Knavesmire. The popular grey gelding is among the 36-strong entry for the race.

Owned by Kennet Valley Thoroughbreds, the five-year-old hasn’t won since his victory in the race last year but he did finish a close-up fourth in the Group 1 Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Sam Hoskins, racing manager for Kennett Valley Thoroughbreds, said: “The plan is to head straight to York. Last year he won at Newmarket (Abernant Stakes) before but it’s a long season and hopefully he will arrive at York in good shape.

“He had a minor setback last September but appears over it now and is training well. It’s all systems go for York and it would be great if he could reproduce last year’s win.

“York has been a lucky track for us – Tullius won the Skybet York Stakes a couple of years ago and of course Magical Memory won last year. We are really looking forward to going back there.”

Caravaggio, an unbeaten two-year-old star of 2016, has been given an entry by trainer Aidan O’Brien. The Tin Man, who took the QIPCO British Champions Sprint Stakes, is the third Group 1 winner entered for the Duke of York Clipper Logistics Stakes.

York’s season-opening Dante Festival runs from Wednesday 17 May to Friday 19 May inclusive.

For Tickets PLEASE CALL 01904 620911 x225  Or visit www.yorkracecourse.co.uk

York Racecourse concluded its 2016 season today after a hugely busy year which has seen a strong attendance, as over 347,000 racegoers witnessed 115 races over 17 fabulous days of racing action. A total of 1,431 thoroughbreds competed for a record of more than £7m prize money delivering an impressive average field size of 12.4.

In other excitements this year, Macmillan Charity Raceday in June raised a record sum of over £480,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support and other charities, making it the biggest charity raceday in British racing, having raised over £7m over the last 46 years. York also welcomed a record crowd for any racing+music fixture on a UK racecourse in July when over 40,000 racing and music lovers enjoyed the Sky Bet York Stakes followed by a concert from The Corrs.

The 2016 season saw the completion of the final stage of the Northern End Development with the refurbishment of the Edwardian Weighing Room; converting this former hub of racecourse operations into a facility for racegoers to enjoy a bite to eat or a glass, surrounded by the history and heritage of this hundred year old building.

The opening day of the Welcome to Yorkshire Ebor Festival saw the world’s highest rated turf racehorse, Postponed, win the richest ever race on the Knavesmire, the £900,000 Juddmonte International. On his second visit of the year, the Royal Patron of York Racecourse, HRH The Duke of York, was present to congratulate winning owner Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum, and successful trainer, Roger Varian.

The balance of the Welcome to Yorkshire Ebor Festival saw an outstanding four days of racing action with locally-based jockey, Paul Mulrennan, guiding Mecca’s Angel into the winner’s enclosure to a rapturous and emotional welcome after winning consecutive Group One Coolmore Nunthorpes for his northern owner and trainer, David Metcalfe and Michael Dods.

The total attendance for the year of 347,098, a decline of 13,739 from the near record of 2015 and reflective of the tough comparison to the sell-out of the evening fixture in 2015 when Sir Tom Jones played the Knavesmire. Unfortunately, disappointing weather saw rain fall at both major Festivals as well as on several Saturdays. As a further demonstration of the impact of the weather, attendance on the Stand Side held firm at an all-time high; consequently the shortfall was caused by the shortage in the centre course picnic enclosure.

The final day saw 21,851 racegoers (again in line with last year’s attendance) watch Intisaab land the Coral Sprint Trophy for local trainer David O’Meara in the hands of apprentice jockey, Shelley Birkett.

The fiercely contested Charles Clinkard Top Trainer at York Trophy was regained by Richard Fahey as his Malton-based operation recorded nine winners to take title number eight; having last won it in 2012. This success was made poignant by the passing of Tom O’Ryan in August, a man who played a key role both at both Musley Bank and York Racecourse itself.

A new name appears on the Living North Champion Jockey Trophy, as Andrea Atzeni posted seven winners to land his first title, shading fellow Italian Frankie Dettori, by virtue of having ridden more second placed horses. Of course, it was Andrea who guided Postponed to win the Juddmonte International at the track he cites as his favourite.

William Derby, Chief Executive and Clerk of the Course at York Racecourse said, “What an incredible season 2016 has been. The quality of racing action at York has been tremendous and we are delighted that our continued investment in the track, facilities and record prize money has delivered such compelling and competitive racing action. Racegoers have seen some of the best horses and jockeys in the world compete on the Knavesmire with many of the standout thoroughbreds of the season having been part of the York story. We have been delighted with the ongoing popularity of the northern end of the racecourse and the reaction of racegoers and horsemen to the improved facilities. We are grateful for the ongoing support of owners and horsemen for bringing their fabulous charges to York. We are proud to be part of a Yorkshire racing community which goes from strength to strength and in the success of Yorkshire handlers, both here at York and further afield, and it is a tremendous reflection of the health of flat racing in the County.”

“I must pay tribute to the team at York who have delivered such a memorable and successful season, from the permanent York Racecourse and York Racecourse Hospitality teams based at the racecourse who work so hard throughout the year to continue to innovate and improve the experience for visitors to the Knavesmire; to the raceday team who help provide the award-winning service and welcome to our racegoers. Some 2,000 people have given their time, talent and energy to make every York raceday so special.

“We remain hugely appreciative of the support of racegoers, boxholders, hospitality guests and sponsors, so very much hope they have enjoyed their own racedays at York in 2016 and will both look back on many happy memories, as well as look forward to many more!”

Head of Sponsorship and Marketing at York Racecourse, James Brennan, noted, “The turn out this year is a remarkable achievement. Competition for leisure spending is intense and we continue to strive to offer quality racing, value for money and a great day out. I am pleased our programme of entertainment, investment and innovation has been so well received. The UK’s two largest attended live concerts after racing, by Kaiser Chiefs and The Corrs, a pop up hairdressing salon, a record number of participants enjoying the Ebor Fashion Lawn, a Family Sunday with a first visit from Paddington and the Countryside Raceday in October, were all exciting aspects which combined with top-class racing, service and facilities to provide memorable entertainment. The 2016 attendance and ongoing commitment of the course to buying fresh, local produce further support the independent economic study that concluded the racecourse was worth over £60 million to the York economy per annum.”

Summarising the year, Lord Grimthorpe, Chairman of York Racecourse, concluded, “It has been an honour and privilege to be involved with such an exciting, enjoyable and successful season and I would like to thank everyone connected to York for their attendance, enthusiasm and support. Work will continue during the winter, as we strive to further develop and so improve the experience of racing at York. I am looking forward to Wednesday 17 May 2017.”

CANDY’S ‘SON’ MAY NEED SEASONAL BOW

DANZENO will try to take advantage of a 5lb weight advantage when he renews acquaintances with Twilight Son in what is set to be a thrilling Group 2, the Duke of York Clipper Logistics Stakes at York on Wednesday.

The pair last locked horns in October at Ascot in the Group 1 QIPCO British Champions Sprint, won by star speedster Muhaarar. On that occasion Twilight Son was second, a length and a half ahead of Danzeno in third place.

But trainer Mick Appleby has today given an upbeat bulletin about Danzeno ahead of the five-year-old lining up in a field of twelve chasing the record prize money pot of the £120,000, down the six furlongs.

Appleby said: “He should go well. He is in good order and has grown and filled out again from last year. I expect him to run a big race.

“Looking at the race, I think we’re the one to beat in it, to be honest.  As long as it stays on the quick side of good, it would be perfect for him.”

Appleby is hoping that Danzeno, a Group 3 winner to date, can make further progress in 2016.

He added: “I’ve always said he’s going to be better when he’s five and six. So I think it might be his best couple of years now.

“I’ve always thought that he’s a Group 1 horse – I’ve been quite optimistic that he could go and land one this year.”

Twilight Son, at 117, is the top-rated horse in the Duke of York Clipper Logistics Stakes. Henry Candy’s charge is a proven star, having landed the Group 1 Sprint Cup at Haydock last September, after a course and distance success in June. But the trainer feels the four-year-old may sharpen up for this first run of the campaign.

Candy said: “He has done very, very well through the winter – probably too well. He might need his first run and giving 5lb to some of these, I would think might prove too much for him. But he is in need of a run and loves York, so it’s a great place to start.

“He doesn’t show a lot in his work, he is quite lazy. But I think once he has got a race under his belt and he’s back on level terms and not giving weight away, hopefully we will have some fun. He is one who does like to get his toe in a little bit, so I would prefer a bit of give in the ground.”

Both Danzeno and Twilight Son will be making their respective seasonal bows, but one who has shown fine form in 2016 is Magical Memory – winner of the Group 3 Abernant Stakes at Newmarket. The progressive four-year-old is likely to be sent off favourite in what is sure to be a fascinating clash of classy sprinters.

York’s season-opening Dante Festival runs from Wednesday 11 May to Friday 13 May inclusive.

 

TRAINER Mick Appleby is hoping Poyle Vinnie can go one better than the Ayr Gold Cup when he contests the £100,000 Coral Sprint Trophy at York on Saturday.
The five-year-old gelding ran a cracker in going down by only half a length to the well-supported favourite Don’t Touch on September 19.
As a result, Poyle Vinnie was raised to an official mark of 105 – the highest of any of the 47 entries for the ultra-competitive Coral Sprint Trophy.
But Appleby’s charge looks likely to get the easy underfoot conditions he relishes and is 12/1 for glory with the sponsors.
Poyle Vinnie will return to the Knavesmire where he was beaten just over three lengths by Lucky Kristale in last month’s Listed Garrowby Stakes, staged over this weekend’s six-furlong distance.
Appleby said: “We were delighted with the way he ran at Ayr. We always thought that was the ideal race for him and he was probably unlucky to bump into a good horse.
“He came out of the race very well – he is in very good order. The more rain the better for him.”
Golden Amber is a filly in form and is a 14/1 chance for Coral Sprint Ivory. The Dean Ivory-trained four-year-old has won two of her last three starts, including a competitive contest at Newmarket almost a fortnight ago.
Indeed, Golden Amber also has an entry this week back at the Rowley Mile but connections are leaning towards the Coral Sprint Trophy due to the likelihood of there being more juice in the ground at York.
Ivory said: “She came out of her last race better than any other. I was amazed because she’d carried all that weight (top-weight at 9st 6lb).
“I couldn’t be happier with her. If we run, she’s got to have a great chance. I’m delighted with the way she is.”
The two-day October meeting, the richest finale York has staged to a season with over £415,000 prize money on offer, gets underway this Friday, October 9.
For Tickets PLEASE CALL 01904 620911 x225. Or visit www.yorkracecourse.co.uk

Josh Doyle is poised to take a big step towards clinching the Go Racing In Yorkshire Future Stars competition when he partners Poolstock for Beverley trainer Les Eyre in the seventh round of competition at Thirsk this Friday (July 31).
Doyle already has a commanding lead in the 10-race series after riding winners in the first two rounds of the series at Doncaster and Ripon and finishing second in the third round at Pontefract in April.
Since then, points have been a bit harder to collect but Doyle has kept his score moving with a couple of placed efforts and though he had to sit out the last rounds at Wetherby earlier this month, he is still very much in control.
Doyle breaks new ground on Friday when he will be riding for Eyre for the first time, but it was his success in the competition that attracted the trainer’s attention.
“Poolstock has been running well lately and he will go to Thirsk with a good chance. I have never booked Josh before, but I had seen him ride in earlier races in the series and he clearly has ability, so I went for the best available jockey!” said Eyre.
Doyle leads the competition with 54 points, ahead of Nathan Evans, 30 points, Alistair Rawlinson (21) and Mitch Godwin, Patrick O’Donnell and Callum Shepherd, all on 18,
The Go Racing In Yorkshire Future Stars competition comprises 10 rounds at all nine Yorkshire racecourses from March to November, beginning and ending at Doncaster and carries a prize worth £2,500 for the winning apprentice.
The points system is: 18 for a winner, 9 for second place, 6 for third place, 3 for fourth place, 2 for fifth place and 1 for sixth place.

 

Horseracing fans in South Yorkshire will get to experience the thrill of one of the world’s most prestigious race meetings when Doncaster Racecourse’s Derby Day Raceday gets underway this week. As well as live racing action from a packed seven race card and an exciting schedule of off the track entertainment, the World Famous Epsom Derby will be shown live on the big screen from 4:30pm during our Ladbrokes sponsored event. The first race is at 1.55pm with the last race at 5.40pm.  

Music Live 2015 continues after racing with legendary British reggae rockers UB40 taking to the stage on the Hallam FM Champagne from around 6.15pm. Performing timely renditions of their many classic songs including ‘Red Red Wine’, ‘Falling In Love With You’, ‘Kingston Town’ and ‘I Got You Babe’, as well as cuts from their latest album ‘Getting over the Storm’, the band will perform for approximately 90 minutes.  

Our award winning restaurant The Old Weighing Room is open to racegoers on Saturday 6th June to experience mouth-watering cuisine from our new summer menu. Call 01302 304250 or visit www.theoldweighingroom.co.uk to book.

 


The Bank Holiday weekend sees the next meeting at Catterick races on Saturday 23rd May, with the entire card sponsored by Totepool.

The first of seven races begins at 1.50pm and the feature race is the £20,000 totepool Handicap Stakes over seven furlongs.

As well as the action on the turf, there is also additional children’s entertainment such as bouncy castles, face painting, roundabout and live music throughout the afternoon from local band Trio


Ripon’s annual Family Sunday Meeting takes place this weekend (May 17), when the action at Yorkshire’s ‘Garden Racecourse’ is scheduled to start at 2-10 p.m. (7 races).

 The day focuses on entertainment for the family, with our first Traditional Family day. There will be a wide variety of FREE attractions, with Punch & Judy from Professional Dan Slater, Magic shows, Face painting & Balloon Modelling, Coconut Shy and lots of other fairground rides for children available in the Course Enclosure, ensuring youngsters have a fun-packed day. As usual at Ripon, accompanied children under 18 years of age are admitted free of charge into all enclosures. Adult admission is available at £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.

 The feature races on Sunday include The C.B. Hutchinson Memorial Challenge Cup, a £13,000 Handicap contest for fillies and mares over the sprint distance of six furlongs, held in memory of Charles Hutchinson who was the managing director and company secretary of the Ripon Race Company Ltd. between 1930 and 1976, while The Ripon, Yorkshire’s ‘Garden Racecourse’ Handicap Stakes over one mile offers prize money of £25,000.

 The VW Van Centre (West Yorkshire) Anniversary Handicap (one mile and a quarter) is a further highlight, while a couple of races are sponsored in aid of The Wooden Spoon Society (Yorkshire Region) which funds projects for disadvantaged children and young people. The races are The Brook Miller Mobility Supporting Wooden Spoon Maiden Stakes and The Premex Services Stirring Yorkshire Children’s Smiles Charity Selling Stakes.

 For the third year, there’s a Handicap race for sprinters held in memory of Barry Taylor, who was a respected local Ripon businessman, and an annual member of the racecourse for many years.

 They are joined on the day by Richard Farquhar, a 53 year old father of four who is walking 2,760 miles to connect all racecourses in Britain on foot. This brave undertaking is all in aid of Racing Welfare and Pancreatic Cancer UK, Richard hopes to raise a huge £1.4 million for these two outstanding charities.

 Richard finishes his Redcar to Ripon leg of the journey on Sunday and racegoers are encourages to find the ‘Walking the Courses’ Team on the racecourse to find out more information and to support them in the fundraising where they will be doing a bucket collection on course at the end of the day. 

As always, there will be musical entertainment during the afternoon from the bandstand, courtesy of the Reeth Brass Band and racegoers will be able to follow all of the action on the course’s permanent giant screen.  

 

 

Rising star David O’Meara is planning a three-pronged attack on the featured £25,000 Totepool Thirsk Hunt Cup when racing resumes at the North Yorkshire course this Saturday.

Last year’s first two, Fort Bastion and Ingleby Star, will both be back to challenge again alongside stable companion Two For Two, who finished third on his only previous run in the Thirsk Hunt Cup back in 2013.

“The plan is for all three to run. They are all in good form and I would expect them to run well, so hopefully one of them will win it” said O’Meara, who will be supplying almost 25 per cent of the 13-runner field.

Fort Bastion was trained by Ruth Carr when winning 12 months ago, but joined O’Meara after finishing unplaced behind Bronza Angel in the Cambridgeshire Handicap at Newmarket last September.

“He had a hard old season last year and it took quite a bit out of him, but he has had a good break and is looking back to his best at home” said the trainer.

Ingleby Star was beaten three-parts of a length by Fort Bastion in last year’s race, but is now 8lbs better off with the winner and that will make him a dangerous contender this time.

“He normally needs a run to put him straight and he had that at Thirsk a couple of weeks ago, so though he was only ninth that day, he should come on a lot and hopefully he will go close again”.

Two For Two may be sharing top weight with One Word More, but is by no means a forlorn hope as he runs off the same mark as when third here to Norse Blues two years ago, a race O’Meara thinks he was unlucky to lose.

“He had a terrible draw in stall 14 of 14 and had to go right round the outside and in the circumstances he ran a tremendous race to finish as close as he did. With a better draw, he would have been very hard to beat so I am hoping he gets a good one on Saturday” the trainer added.

The Totepool Thirsk Hunt Cup is the centrepiece of a cracking seven race card which gets underway with the ToteScoop6 The Millionaire Maker Maiden Auction Stakes at 2.10.

 



All nine of the county’s racecourses are in action this month, involving a plethora of weekend, midweek and evening fixtures. It’s full steam ahead both locally and nationally, with important meetings set to define the year as a whole. Newmarket hosts the opening two Classics of 2015 – The QIPCO 1,000 and 2,000 Guineas – during the first weekend of the month, while the biggest meeting in the county is York’s opening fixture of the year, the three-day Dante Festival on Wednesday (13th), Thursday (14th) and Friday (15th). This prestigious meeting on the famous Knavesmire is certain to attract the main contenders for the leading races this year, in particular next month’s Classics – the Derby and the Oaks at Epsom – as well as providing some useful clues regarding Royal Ascot. Record prize money of almost £6.5 million is on offer during York’s 17-day campaign. 

The next phase of the on-going Northern End development project of York racecourse will come into use at this meeting, including the new Weighing Room, Parade Ring Restaurant and Owners Entrance building.

 The opening day of the Dante Festival sees this season’s top staying fillies take part in The Tattersalls Musidora Stakes, as they advertise their Classic credentials. Speed is the name of the game in The Duke Of York Clipper Logistics Stakes for sprinters, while Britain’s richest and best-known Derby trial, the Betfred Dante Stakes, is featured on the second day. Last year’s winner of this race was out of the top drawer – The Grey Gatsby – trained at Hambleton near Thirsk by Kevin Ryan. He went on to win the French Derby and the Irish Champion Stakes, while also claiming second place in the Juddmonte International Stakes back at York in August – officially rated the best race in the world last year by The International Federation of Horseracing Authorities. Very much a local hero, The Grey Gatsby took the accolade of the ‘Yorkshire Horse of the Year’ 2014.

 Thursday’s programme also features a contest for leading older fillies in the Betfred Middleton Stakes, while top stayers have their opportunity in Friday’s Sky Bet Yorkshire Cup –a race won last year by Gospel Choir, ridden by Ryan Moore who partnered the aforementioned The Grey Gatsby to success 

Racing returns to York on Saturday, 30th, an afternoon card which features The Stowe Family Law LLP Grand Cup – a Listed race for stayers. – which last year produced a thrilling dead-heat between Clever Cookie (trained near Malton by Peter Niven) and the Irish-trained Ralston Road.

 The month begins with a Saturday double-header on the 2nd, with meetings at Thirsk in the afternoon and Doncaster in the evening. The totepool Thirsk Hunt Cup is featured at the North Yorkshire track – the first of three consecutive Saturday fixtures at the course. An evening card on the 9th is the annual ABF – The Soldiers’ Charity Night is followed by ‘Irish Day’ on the 16th. The doors are also open at Thirsk on Wednesday, 27th. In addition, Saturday, 16th sees another Saturday evening programme down the A1 at Doncaster – ‘Visit Bawtry’ Evening – featuring live music after racing. There’s action at the South Yorkshire track between these meetings on Monday, 11th.

 There’s May Day Bank Holiday racing at the only racecourse in East Yorkshire, Beverley on Monday, 4th with family entertainment the theme of the day. There are further meetings on the Westwood the following Tuesday (12th) and Saturday, 23rd – a ‘Very British Raceday’ featuring The Brian Yeardley Continental Two-Year-Old Trophy) and The Hilary Needler Trophy – a Conditions race for up-and-coming juvenile fillies first held at Beverley 50 years ago.

 Popular evening meetings at Catterick take place on Tuesday (4th) and Friday (29th), along with a Saturday afternoon fixture on the 23rd – totepool Day. 

There’s Friday evening racing at Yorkshire’s ‘Garden Racecourse’ Ripon on the 8th, followed by the course’s annual ‘Family Day Sunday’ programme on the 17th featuring a variety of family attractions and raising funds for the Wooden Spoon Society. 

Yorkshire’s seaside course, Redcar, in action on Monday, 18th followed by the well-supported two-day fixture on Bank Holiday Monday (25th) and Tuesday 26th. The Zetland Gold Cup is the highlight on the first day. 

The only meeting this month at Pontefract is an evening fixture on Friday, 22nd – ‘80’s Night’ at the West Yorkshire track. 

Jump racing fans are catered for as Wetherby’s campaign continues with a couple of consecutive Thursday meetings during May. The first is an afternoon fixture on the 21st, followed by the ‘Yorkshire Post Ladies Evening’(28th) – which launches the official ‘Ladies Days’ on the Yorkshire racecourses this summer. The lady who wins the ‘Best-Dressed’ award at Wetherby will be invited to take part in the Grand Final at Doncaster in October to find Yorkshire’s ‘Best Dressed Lady Racegoer’. During the afternoon at Wetherby, racegoers can enjoy the fashion shows on the catwalk between races in the ‘Life & Style’ marquee. 

  • The ever-popular ska band, ‘Madness’ are live on stage after racing at Doncaster on Saturday evening, June 27th, while the great Sir Tom Jones performs live after racing at York on Friday evening, July 24th

 

  

 



Wednesday 29th April is a day when Pontefract traditionally looks to the future stars of racing – it’s the 26th Annual Northern Racing College Charity Day!

The Northern Racing College, based just outside Doncaster, was set up in 1984 and provides a range of courses at all levels for people who are looking at the horseracing industry as a future career. It also offers those currently in the business the chance to develop their qualifications and skills.

The racing on the day also casts an eye to future stars. The opening 2yo Maiden, jointly sponsored by the EBF and William Hill is a historically informative event. Won a couple of years ago by the subsequent successful globetrotter, Peniaphobia, we’ll be on the lookout for another useful prospect again! The 2013 winner not only went on to win the Weatherbys Super Sprint at Newbury but then became one of the top sprinters in Hong Kong and was just touched off in the Group 1 sprint at Meydan on Dubai World Cup Night.

Again, looking to the future, to conclude the card we have the 3rd Round of the Go Racing In Yorkshire Future Stars Apprentice Handicap. The race was won last year by Megan Carberry, who went on to win the whole series and is currently based with Brian Ellison’s yard in Malton. The successful rider in the 2015 series will win a cash prize of £2,500 as well as equipment from White Rose Saddlery in Malton.

The entire race meeting is unique in the face that the body of the card sees races sponsored by William Hill, totepool, Betfred, Ladbrokes and Coral. All these bookmakers traditionally set aside their commercial rivalry on this day in order to encourage the grass roots and future of the sport.

On the track, the £15,000 Ladbrokes Fillies’ Handicap is the feature race but there’s a strong supporting card including the EBF Maiden won in 2014 by Luca Cumani’s useful Roseburg who went on to win 3 times during the season. Another multiple winner in 2014, Jedd O’Keeffe’s Shared Equity, won the 6f coral.co.uk Handicap on the card.

The Racecourse Postcode Lottery gives the opportunity for anyone based in Sheffield to come racing for just £2. By registering a utility bill with the Racecourse, residents can get a ticket to the Grandstand & Paddock Enclosure at the heavily discounted rate.

The Racecourse will once again be offering discounted tickets to those who book in advance – see www.pontefract-races.co.uk for more information.

 

 
Sunday 26th April will be a day of history in the making on two fronts as Wetherby Racecourse stages the first of 4 flat race meetings for the first time in its 125 year history and Sue Ryder aims to achieve a world record for the Mascot Gold Cup race.
 
The start of flat racing at Wetherby is the culmination of many years of planning and gives the West Yorkshire racecourse the opportunity to extend their season beyond the winter months.  With the excitement of the Mascot Gold Cup taking place as part of the Family Day, racegoers can expect plenty of entertainment including an animal petting farm, the National Festival Circus, inflatables, face painting etc as well as being part of history in the making.
 
The Mascot Gold Cup, sponsored by Foresters, is celebrating the 10th anniversary of the race and as part of the milestone the fundraising team at Sue Ryder aims to break the world record for the most mascots in a race. Last year over 80 larger than life furry characters joined the charity race and Sue Ryder are currently awaiting imminent news from Guinness World Records to confirm the target they need to beat but entries have already broken the 100 milestone.
 
The Mascot Gold Cup has been held at Wetherby Racecourse since 2006 and has raised £130,000 for the charity and a similar figure for many other charities as Mascots can fund raise for their own chosen charities.  Individuals, corporate groups, sports associations are all encouraged to join in the fun and the charity has a number of costumes that can be adopted for the day, for those who don’t own their own.  Teams have come from across the UK and Northern Ireland and this year there’s even an international entry.
 
Funds raised help Sue Ryder care for people with cancer and other life limiting illnesses in Yorkshire at their hospices in Keighley and Headingley and their neurological centre at Holme Hall near York.  The charity would love to hear from anyone who is interested in helping them reach their target and help raise funds for the organization.
 
Michelle Campbell “We’re really excited about this year’s event.  Mascot Day is always a very competitive, hotly contested event and it would be great to create a world record on the day that we start a new chapter in Wetherby Racecourse’s history with the first of 4 new flat fixtures”.
 

 
Ripon’s second meeting of the season takes place on Saturday (April 25) and the seven-race programme – set to begin at 1-45 p.m. – offers significant prize money of £135,000. This reflects the popularity of the course’s own on-course pool betting operation, RiponBET, which is now in its third season. 

The highlights of the afternoon include The At The Races Sky 415 Handicap Stakes (a £40,000 contest for stayers over two miles) and a couple of £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. The winner of the feature race last season, Richard Fahey trained ‘Angel Gabriel’ went on to finish a close second in ‘The Stanjames.com Chester Cup’ before winning the valuable ‘John Smith’s Northumberland Plate’ at Newcastle. 

The action from Ripon is shown on At The Races (Channel 415 on the Sky Television network and Channel 534 on Virgin Media).

 Race-goers will be able to follow all of the action on the course’s permanent giant screen, along with the main races from the final meeting of the Jumps season from Sandown Park, including the bet365 Gold Cup. Ripon will also be showing key highlights of the day, including AP McCoy’s final ride at Sandown. We will also join in the celebrations to honour the outstanding career of one of the very best jockeys we have seen grace the British turf. 

There’s musical entertainment from the bandstand provided by the Wetherby & District Silver Band, and a selection of attractions for young race-goers in the Course Enclosure (weather permitting) along with playgrounds in that area and the Paddock Enclosure.

                                                                                                      

 Wetherby’s season over Jumps continues with ‘Wear a Hat Day’ this Friday (March 27), when the seven-race programme is scheduled to start at 2-20 p.m.

 It’s the fourth annual ‘Wear A Hat Day’ Wetherby has staged in support of Brain Tumour Research, with a ‘Best Hat’ competition during the afternoon, along with spot prizes and a raffle with the top prize being tickets to the following week’s Crabbie’s Grand National Meeting at Aintree. It’s all part of a national campaign on Friday to raise funds and awareness of Brain Tumour Research. 

Staff and officials are being encouraged to wear headgear of any kind and a selection of Yorkshire-based milliners will be on hand to give advice and encouragement.

 The opening race is a Novices’ Hurdle contest for Conditional Jockeys, while the feature race is The New Racing UK iPad Handicap Chase over the extended two and three-quarter miles.

 

 

 

Megan Carberry won last year’s Go Racing in Yorkshire Future Stars Apprentice Series, following Gary Mahon’s success in the inaugural series in 2013, and the race is on to find this year’s champion.

The 2015 competition launches on the opening day of the British Flat season on Turf at Doncaster this Saturday, March 28 and continues throughout the year until the final leg back at Doncaster in November.

Saturday’s race at Doncaster has attracted so many entries, it has been divided, with Carberry riding Where’s Tiger (trained in North Yorkshire by Jedd O’Keeffe) in the Second Division of the middle-distance Handicap contest at 5-25 p.m.

The series takes in the rich variety of Flat courses in Yorkshire and over distances from five to fourteen furlongs, testing young riders to the full and the overall winner will certainly have earned the title ‘Go Racing in Yorkshire Future Star’.

And this year’s winner will have even more to do, with Wetherby joining the contest for the first time as they embark on the course’s first-ever season on the Flat. It means all nine Yorkshire courses are in the Series this year.

Points are awarded for riders finishing in the first six in each race. Although scheduled to be a ten-race series, all divisions of any race will count.

The winning rider will be sponsored by Go Racing In Yorkshire in 2016 and will also win a cash prize of £1,500 plus a further £500 in equipment courtesy of White Rose Saddlery of Malton.

They will also be able to take part in promotions with Go Racing in Yorkshire in 2016, helping to maintain their profile at what is a critical time in the careers of most young jockeys, while the public will be able to follow their exploits via a blog on the Go Racing In Yorkshire website.

Go Racing in Yorkshire chairman John Sexton commented: “We are very excited about this series, now in its third year, as we believe it is essential that the sport continues to encourage and inspire young riders to develop into the star jockeys of tomorrow.

“The Go Racing in Yorkshire Future Stars series has been carefully selected. It opens at Doncaster in March with a race open to apprentices who have not ridden more than 50 winners, enabling everyone to have a chance to get points on the board.

“After that, races are graded with the next two restricted to apprentices who have not ridden 10 and 20 winners respectively, giving a chance to the more inexperienced riders to get a foothold in the competition before stepping up to races restricted to 25 winners and then back to 50 winners for the last three races in the series at York, Catterick and Doncaster. The new race at Wetherby is also for young riders who have not ridden more then 50 winners.

“We believe it gives every young apprentice in Britain the chance to showcase his or her skills and to claim the title of ‘Go Racing In Yorkshire Future Star’”.

Last year’s winner, Megan Carberry is based with Malton trainer, Brian Ellison and looking forward to this season’s series of races.

 Megan said “Winning last year’s Go Racing In Yorkshire Future Stars series has been the highlight of my career so far. I’ll be aiming to retain my title by riding in as many races as I can.”

The programme of races in the Go Racing in Yorkshire Future Stars series, with winner restrictions in brackets, is:-

March 28             Doncaster           10f          (50)

April 16                 Ripon                    5f            (10)

April 29                 Pontefract          5f            (20)

June 23                 Beverley              5f            (25)

July 19                   Redcar                  14f          (25)

July 21 (Even)   Wetherby             10f          (50)

July 31                 Thirsk                    6f            (25)

September 6      York                       12f          (50)

October 17          Catterick              14f          (50)

November 7       Doncaster           7f            (50)

The points scoring system puts the emphasis on winning races with 18 for a win, nine for second place, six for third, three for fourth, two for fifth and one for sixth. In the event of a race being abandoned, all apprentices declared to ride at the time of the abandonment will receive two points.

John Sexton added: “We hope all trainers will get behind their apprentices and continue to support this series. We look forward to some thrilling contests in the months ahead”.

 



Leading racehorse syndication company, Pinnacle Racing are sponsoring Redcar’s popular Straight-Mile Championship Series, which begins on Easter Monday (April 6) – the opening meeting of Redcar’s 2015 season – and concludes with a Final on totepool Two-Year-Old Trophy Day on Saturday, October 3.


There are eight qualifying races in this season’s Straight-Mile Championship Series, culminating in the Final for The Pinnacle Cup.

 When a qualifying race is staged, along with the Final, Pinnacle Racing will have a special stand in the main enclosure promoting the virtues of having shares with the company for horses to run specifically in the north, including Redcar. There are also shares available in National Hunt horses. Stable visits for the company’s members along with corporate clients are arranged during the year. Pinnacle Racing will also be involved in corporate entertaining on their sponsored days at Redcar.

There’s also a special racecard competition throughout the Series, with the winner (drawn on Pinnacle Cup Straight-Mile Series Final day in October) receiving a share of racehorse syndication.

Last year’s winner of the Straight-Mile Championship Final was Karaka Jack, trained near Glasgow by Jim Goldie and ridden by Graham Lee.

 Jaki Savage, Pinnacle Racing’s business manager said “We are looking forward to supportingthe Straight-Mile Series and working with Redcar Racecourse. We hope to have one of our horses running on a qualifying race day and I’m sure we will see some really competitive racing”.

 Amy Fair, Redcar Racecourse’s general manager said “We are delighted that Pinnacle Racing will be sponsoring the Pinnacle Cup Straight-Mile Series this season at Redcar. Based down the road at Wynyard, it’s great that a local syndicate has joined forces with us and we hope their involvement at Redcar will raise their profile during these exciting times.”

 


Mister McGoldrick, one of the icons of Yorkshire’s National Hunt racing scene, will be a star guest at this year’s Middleham Stables Open Day on Good Friday, April 3.

Popular ‘chaser Mister McGoldrick, who won eight races at Wetherby during a stellar career, retired three years ago.

He will be the guest of honour at trainer Patrick Holmes’s Spigot Lodge yard in his role as an ambassador for the New Beginnings racing charity.

The aim of New Beginnings is to provide a safe and supportive environment for ex-racehorses to be rehabilitated and re-homed after they have retired from racing.

The 17-year-old was a 15-time winner in a 91-race career, winning thousands of admirers for his bravery and determination.

 He won two Castleford Chases in his eight Wetherby successes but will be best remembered for an emotional win at the age of 11 at the 2008 Cheltenham Festival. An unconsidered 66-1 chance, he won the Racing Post Plate under Dominic Elsworth to give Yorkshire trainer Sue Smith her first festival winner.

 

Robert Beaumont, one of the organisers of the Middleham Open Day, commented: “Mister McGoldrick has a special place in the hearts of all lovers of racing in Yorkshire and beyond. His combination of class and guts endeared him to so many and we are honoured to have him with us on Good Friday.

 

“We should also pay tribute to New Beginnings, a tremendous charity which ensures that the racehorses in its care have a fulfilled and happy life when they retire. Their ultimate aim is to produce horses that can easily move into new disciplines and be suitably and successfully re-homed. They look after every horse in their care for the rest of their natural life,” he explained.

Thousands of visitors will descend on Middleham for the 22nd Middleham Stables Open Day on April 3. The popular Open Day attracted than 6,000 visitors in 2014 and raised £18,000 for local and national charities.

The stables will be open to the public, with more than 500 horses for visitors to see, while racing from Lingfield will be screened live from a big screen at the Top Cross in Middleham from 1.45pm.

The day will be officially opened by Alastair Down, the legendary racing journalist and broadcaster.

This year the two main charities to benefit will be the Jessica Bethell Charitable Foundation, in memory of the daughter of James Bethell, the chairman of Middleham Trainers’ Association, and The Household Cavalry Foundation.

 Tickets cost £10 per adult, including a souvenir brochure and a chance to win a prize in the programme draw. Admission for accompanied children is free.

 The yards are open to the public on Good Friday from 9.30am till either 1.00pm or 2.30pm. Free parking is available in Middleham or nearby Leyburn, with free bus links between car parks and the outlying stables. This includes Ann and George Duffield, who are opening their successful Sun Hill Stables at Constable Burton from 12 noon until 4.00pm.

 

 

                                                                                                          

Wetherby’s season over Jumps continues with a meeting next Tuesday (March 17), when racing is scheduled to start at 2-20 p.m.

 The feature race is The Flat Racing Coming Soon – 26th April Handicap Chase – a contest over the extended two and three-quarter miles. The title refers to next month’s Family Funday meeting at on Sunday, April 26 – when history will be made with Wetherby staging its first-ever meeting on the Flat. 

The 2013 Grand National-winning trainer, Sue Smith, who is based at High Eldwick near Bingley, leads the way in the competition to be Wetherby’s top trainer this season as she attempts to retain her title, while Dougie Costello has a clear advantage in the jockeys’ category over James Reveley. 

Wetherby is next in action on Friday, March 27 – the annual ‘Wear A Hat Day’ in aid of Brain Tumour Research.

 

 

York Racecourse is delighted that its flagship race, the Group 1 Juddmonte International, has been confirmed as the best race in the world following the announcement by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities.  

The Juddmonte International is York’s flagship race and the feature of the opening day of the Welcome to Yorkshire Ebor Festival and has been ranked number one of all thoroughbred horse races across the globe, ahead of the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, Breeders’ Cup Classic and Japan Cup.

 To earn this world number one status, the official performance ratings – allocated by the International Panel of Thoroughbred Handicappers of the first four horses past the Knavesmire winning post over the last three seasons – were assessed to give ratings second to none. This concluded that star horses such as Australia, The Grey Gatsby, Declaration of War and the mighty Frankel, combined to provide the strongest race on the planet. 

British racing has once again made a strong showing in the wider rankings, with eight of the top 16 being staged on the UK’s tracks, all of which form part of British Champions Series, with the QIPCO Champion Stakes remaining in the top three. 

The Juddmonte International has benefited from consistent investment and support by long-standing sponsor, Juddmonte Farms and owner, HH Prince Khalid Abdullah. Prize money has increased each year in the last decade and is now almost double in size, and the 2015 renewal offers record prize money of £850,000 on Wednesday 19 August. This will be the richest race ever staged at York.

 Lord Grimthorpe, who is able to offer a unique perspective on the race, as both York Racecourse Chairman and Racing Manager for Juddmonte Farms, said, “York is particularly grateful to Prince Khalid whose long-term support of the race has seen wins for both Twice Over and Frankel. I am delighted that the ratings have now confirmed what we felt at the time – that it is the best race in the world.”

Douglas Erskine Crum, Chief Executive of Juddmonte Group, said, “This is wonderful news for both York and Juddmonte. This is a race that Prince Khalid has sponsored for over 26 years and it is a great tribute to his support and to York Racecourse that it has firmly established itself at the very top of world racing.”

 The winning trainer of the race for the last two years was Aidan O’Brien, who masterminded the triumphs of Declaration of War and Australia. Speaking from his Ballydoyle base, Aidan said “It’s a race we love to win and we have been fortunate enough to do so with five great horses; looking at some of the placed horses that we have had in, we are not surprised that it came out on top. 

Though the race still awaits its first locally trained winner, Kevin Ryan, who sent out The Grey Gatsby from his Hambleton base to record a strong second place in 2015, said, “It is great news that the Juddmonte International has been rated the best race in the world. York is a track we love to have winners at and we hope The Grey Gatsby will be able to go one better this year. He’s wintered really well and it would be very special to win the Juddmonte International in 2015, especially so close to home.” 

Speaking about what it means for a County that recognises what sport can do for the tourism industry, Gary Verity, Chief Executive of Welcome to Yorkshire, the headline sponsor of the Ebor Festival confirmed, “Hosting world-class sport means people hear about you and gives them yet another reason to visit our beautiful County.  Yorkshire keeps winning global accolades and I am delighted for everyone at York Racecourse that they have earned another such prize.” 

The Chief Executive of the British Horseracing Authority, Nick Rust, said; "That a British race should again top the world rankings is very encouraging and a further reminder of the strength and quality of racing staged here. Our congratulations to York on this achievement. Britain’s position as the country responsible for the best racing in the world should never be taken for granted, but it is a fantastic endorsement for what we have to offer that eight of the top 16 races in the world are run on these shores. All of these races form part of the QIPCO British Champions Series and no country has more races in the top ten than Britain.

Summing up the achievement, William Derby, Chief Executive and Clerk of the Course said, “This is a fantastic endorsement of the quality of racing at York. For the Juddmonte International, our flagship race, to be officially ranked number one of every race run around the world is a tremendous tribute to everyone associated with York Racecourse and Juddmonte Farms. We remain hugely grateful and appreciative of the support we receive from so many individuals and organisations in helping stage top quality racing at York. Having staged the number one race in the world is a huge accolade for York, Yorkshire and British racing and we are determined to keep building on this award and to keep delivering fantastic racing action, facilities and experience at York into the future.”

 


Catterick’s season over Jumps ends next Wednesday (March 4) when racing is scheduled to begin at 2-10 p.m. 

The feature races are a Handicap Chase over two miles, three furlongs and a Novices’ Handicap Chase contested over two miles.

  The John Wade Skip Hire Novices’ Hunters’ Chase – the only Hunter Chase of the season at Catterick – is held over the extended three miles and one furlong. Owner/trainer John Wade, who is based near Aycliffe in County Durham, could have a runner in this race sponsored once again by his company. Last year’s winner, Rosie Du Berlais was trained at Middleham by Philip Kirby and ridden by Philip Dennis. 

The giant screen will be situated opposite the main stands, enabling racegoers to follow all of the action. A shuttle bus service operates from Richmond town centre one hour before racing begins, returning after the last race. 

Catterick’s next meeting on Wednesday, April 8 signals the start of the course’s 17-day season on the Flat this year.

 


A fascinating month’s racing both in the county, with Jumping meetings at both Catterick and Wetherby, while Doncaster hosts the traditional start to the new British Flat season on turf. On a national basis, the ‘Olympics’ of Jump racing, the four-day Cheltenham Festival takes centre-stage prior to the start of Flat racing at Doncaster. 

The 2015 British Flat season on grass starts with a full weekend’s action on Doncaster’s Town Moor with a two-day meeting on Saturday and Sunday, 28th & 29th. The feature race of the meeting is The William Hill Lincoln Handicap on the opening day. Offering prize money of £100,000 this highly-competitive Heritage Handicap is the first major race of the new campaign on the Flat, with the maximum number of 22 runners sure to take part in this ‘cavalry charge’ over the straight mile.

 Yorkshire-based trainers have a good recent record in the race, with Levitate (trained by John Quinn) and Brae Hill (Richard Fahey) winning in 2013 and 2012 respectively; however, last year’s contest went to Newmarket trainer, John Ryan, who sent out Ocean Tempest to land the spoils, ridden by Adam Kirby. 

 The Lincoln Handicap has been held at Doncaster since 1965 following the demise of racing at Lincoln racecourse the previous year. The origins of the race can be traced back to 1853 at the now-defunct Lincolnshire track.

 The main supporting races on a quality Saturday programme at Doncaster are The William Hill Spring Mile (a valuable ‘consolation’ race for those horses entered for, but balloted out of the ‘Lincoln’) and a pair of Listed races – The Cammidge Trophy for sprinters and The Doncaster Mile. Apprentice jockeys take part in the First Round of the ‘Go Racing in Yorkshire’ Future Stars Apprentice Series; it’s the third year of this special series of races for young riders on the Yorkshire courses and which culminates in a Final at Doncaster in November. Malton-based Megan Carberry was the winner of last year’s series.

 The action on Sunday at Doncaster includes attractions for children and the feature race is The Doncaster Shield – a Conditions race over one mile and a half.

 Catterick’s Jumps season finishes on Wednesday, 4th, and features the course’s only Hunter Chase while there’s action over Jumps at Wetherby on Tuesday, 17th and Friday, 27th ( ‘Wear A Hat Friday’ in aid of Brain Tumour Research). 

This month’s Cheltenham Festival epitomises the very best of Jump racing – four days of championship action beginning on Tuesday, 10th. Some of the biggest and most prestigious prizes in Jumping will be competed for over at the famous Gloucestershire venue – a natural amphitheatre for racing over Jumps. Tim Easterby, who trains at Great Habton near Malton, sent out Hawk High to win last year’s Fred winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle for four-year-olds at 33/1.

 The Stan James Champion Hurdle is the big race on the opening day of the Festival. The 2011 and 2013 hero, Hurricane Fly is certain to be in the mix again, along with last year’s winner, Jezki. Another Irish-trained contender is Faugheen, who heads the ante-post betting market after his very impressive victory in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton Park. The New One finished third last year, and he appears to be the best of the British contenders. Wednesday’s Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase could include the last two winners of this contest over the specialist distance of two miles – Sire de Grugy and Sprinter Sacre. On Thursday, it’s the turn of the best staying hurdlers in the business, as they face the starter in the Ladbrokes World Hurdle. The first two in last year’s race, More Of That (a former Wetherby winner) and Annie Power (successful last year at Doncaster) are set to lock horns again.  

On the final day of the Festival – Friday – all eyes will be on the ‘Blue Riband’ of Jump racing, The Cheltenham. The current champion, Lord Windermere heads a strong Irish challenge, while British hopes could hinge on Silviniaco Conti – a former winner of Wetherby’s most prestigious race of the season, The bet365 Charlie Hall Chase. Representing the champion trainer Paul Nicholls, Silviniaco Conti threw down the gauntlet for Gold Cup glory when landing the King George VI Chase at Kempton Park on Boxing Day for a second successive year. 

As far as international racing is concerned, the richest race in the world, The Dubai World Cup takes place on Saturday, 28th. The prize money for the race is a mind-boggling $10 million!

 

 

 

 

Doncaster’s season over Jumps comes to a quality climax with a two-day meeting this Friday and Saturday (February 27 & 28), with the feature race on Saturday, The BetBright Grimthorpe Chase having an excellent record of attracting the very best stayers in the business, including possible Grand National contenders.

 After racing on Saturday, racegoers will also have the opportunity of attending a special Cheltenham Festival preview in the Lazarus Stand starting at 6-00 p.m., when resident tipster, Roger Hart will host a panel of experts including Channel Four Racing’s Graham Cunningham and Tanya Stevenson. This preview is free of charge to all racegoers attending on Saturday.

 A Handicap contest over three and a quarter miles, The BetBright Grimthorpe Chase offers prize money of £50,000 and last year’s winner Night In Milan, could be in the line-up again, as part of his preparations for the Crabbie’s Grand National on April 11. Other notable winners include Run For Paddy in 2005, who went on the following year to win the Scottish Grand National, while Amberleigh House, who finished in fifth place in 2004 went on to win the Grand National at Aintree the following month. Also, the 2004 winner, Grey Abbey, went on to land the Scottish Grand National.

 The ‘Grimthorpe’ heads a strong seven-race programme on Saturday, which gets underway at 1-45 p.m. with the third running of a Listed race at this meeting – a Novices’ Hurdle contest for fillies and mares over the extended three miles – one of six races sponsored by leading online sports bookmaker, BetBright, including a £25,000 Handicap Chase over the extended two miles. The Saint Gobain Weber Handicap Chase is also featured. 

There are also seven races on Friday beginning at 2-10 p.m. with BetBright. supporting every race, including a Novices’ Hurdle contest for fillies and mares sponsored in conjunction with The European Breeders’ Fund. 

During racing on Saturday, local sporting hero and WBA World Bantamweight title holder, Jamie McDonnell from Hatfield will be showcasing his Championship Belt and meeting fans for autographs and photo opportunities. 

Also, after racing on Saturday, there’s live music in the Exhibition Hall from party band, ‘Flipside’. 

The giant screen, situated opposite the main stands will enable racegoers to see all of the action. A shuttle bus service will be in operation from the railway station.

 

The penultimate meeting of Catterick’s season over Jumps takes place next Tuesday (February 24). The seven-race programme is scheduled to begin at 2-30 p.m. with a Handicap Hurdle contest for lady amateur riders.

The Easby Abbey Handicap Chase (two miles) is the afternoon’s feature race, the title of which remembers the locally-bred Easby Abbey, a top-class hurdler (who was runner-up in the 1973 Champion Hurdle to Comedy Of Errors) and successful over fences in the Massey-Ferguson Gold Cup at Cheltenham in 1976. Easby Abbey was owned and bred by Mrs. Gwen Blow and her grandson, Clive Simpson (who looked after him when he retired from the track) once again supports this race.

 The Throughbred Breeders’ Association support a Novices’ Hurdle contest for fillies and mares over two miles and three furlongs.

 The giant screen, situated opposite the main stands, will enable racegoers to enjoy even more of the action. There is a shuttle bus service from Richmond town centre one hour before racing begins and returning after the last race.

 

 

 

Doncaster’s Jumping season continues next Wednesday (February 18), when racing is scheduled to begin at 2-20 p.m. ‘Golden Oldies’ take centre-stage in the feature race, a Veterans’ Chase – supported by leading online sports bookmaker BetBright. This contest for ten-year-olds and upwards over three miles has prize money of £30,000 and should attract some well-known contenders. It’s part of a national series for Veteran Chasers, culminating in a £100,000 Final at Sandown Park in early January 2016.

 BetBright sponsor the whole of Wednesday’s programme, including the opening race – a Novices’ Hurdle contest in conjunction with the European Breeders’ Fund (a qualifier in a national series which culminates in a £60,000 Final next month at Sandown Park). The Hunters’ Chase could include contenders for the Foxhunter Chase at next month’s Cheltenham Festival. A possible contender on Wednesday could be Calgary Bay, who in 2012 won Doncaster’s biggest race of the Jumps season, The Sky Bet Chase.

This meeting last year produced some notable winners, such as Holywell (who went on to win races at both the Cheltenham Festival and the Grand National meeting) and Pearl Castle (the winner last June of The Queen Mother’s Cup at York).

With being half-term, there will be some children’s activities, including a colouring competition along with the chance to join the Young Hooves Club and meet the Club’s mascot, ‘Archie’. 

The giant screen, situated opposite the main stands will enable racegoers to see all of the action. A shuttle bus will be in operation from the railway station.

 

                                                                       

 

Wetherby’s season over Jumps continues next Tuesday (February 17) when racing is scheduled to start at 2-20 p.m. 

Members of the Racing UK Racing Club will be in attendance, with four races named after the dedicated racing channel which shows all of the action from Wetherby. 

Accident Management company, Kingsway Claims support racing for the first time at Wetherby by sponsoring a Handicap Chase over two miles, while The European Breeders’ Fund and The Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association combine to support a Novices’ Handicap Chase for mares over the extended two and three-quarter miles. 

Wetherby badge-holder, Shaun Fountain – a publican from Barwick in Elmet – is sponsoring a race for novice hurdlers to celebrate his forthcoming marriage to Debbie.  

Going into this meeting, Sue Smith (based near Bingley) is Wetherby’s leading trainer this season, while the top jockey so far this term is Dougie Costello. 

The giant screen situated opposite the stands will enable racegoers to see even more of the action.

 

Racing at Catterick on Monday (February 9) is scheduled to begin at 2-10 p.m. with the twin highlights being The Weatherbys Hamilton Insurance Novices’ Handicap Chase and The Weatherbys Bank Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase – both races contested over the staying distance of the extended three miles and one furlong – and won last year by horses trained near Bingley by Sue Smith and ridden by the now-retired Ryan Mania. These two races are supported by Weatherbys, a famous organisation based in Wellingborough which provides many services to the racing industry, both administrative and commercial. 

For this meeting, annual members at Catterick can bring along two guests who will be admitted free of charge. 

The giant screen, situated opposite the main stands, will enable racegoers to see all of the action on the track. There is a shuttle bus service from Richmond town centre one hour before racing begins and returning after the last race.

 

 

 

Doncaster’s meeting next Thursday (February 5) – Eventmasters Day – is scheduled to begin at 1-40 p.m. 

For the third year at this meeting, one of the UK’s leading and longest-serving corporate hospitality companies, Eventmasters (whose Head Office is in Birmingham) support all bar one of the afternoon’s seven races, including a race for Novice Hurdlers – in conjunction with The European Breeders’ Fund – a qualifying race in a national series under the auspices of the EBF – which culminates in a Final at Sandown Park in March. 

Eddison Media put their name to a race under the grand-national2015.co.uk banner to promote their website containing the ultimate guide to the big race at Aintree on Saturday, April 11. 

 The giant screen situated opposite the main stands will enable racegoers to see all of the action. A shuttle bus will be in operation from the railway station.

 



There are four days of action to look forward to at Doncaster, starting on Thursday, 5th, while ‘Golden Oldies’ have their opportunity at the South Yorkshire track on Wednesday, 18th when horses aged ten or more take part in the main race on Town Moor, The Veterans’ Handicap Chase over three miles. Last year’s race was won by Tranquil Sea – trained at Lambourn in Berkshire by Warren Greatrex and ridden by Gavin Sheehan, who went on to become the Champion Conditional jockey of last season. Also at this meeting last year, Holywell won a Novices’ Chase and he looks like being a leading contender for next month’s ‘Blue Riband’ of Jump racing, The Cheltenham Gold Cup. 

The Jumps season at Doncaster concludes with a two-day fixture on Friday and Saturday (27th & 28th). The big race on the Saturday, The 188 Grimthorpe Handicap Chase could well attract some Grand National contenders.

 Catterick hosts a couple of midweek fixtures this month on Monday, 9th and Tuesday, 24th, with both meetings sure to attract plenty of runners. 

The sole meeting this month at Wetherby is on Tuesday, 17th. 

The new Yorkshire Racing Season Ticket for 2015/16 begins on March 1st; anyone interested can obtain details on www.goracing.co.uk or call (01937)580051. Costs are £340 (single) and £550 (joint) for some 185 days’ racing until 29th February 2016.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                               

‘Medieval Day’ at Wetherby this Saturday (January 31) celebrates one of the feature races of the season at the track, The totepool Towton Novices’ Chase (a Grade 2 contest for stayers), a race named after the nearby Battle of Towton in 1461 – acknowledged as the bloodiest battle ever fought on English soil – a major conflict in the ‘Wars of the Roses’ 

Saturday’s seven-race programme begins at 1-00 p.m. and the Medieval theme to the afternoon includes a living history re-enactments, a medieval kitchen, birds of prey and live music. 

A special ‘1461 Package’ – bookable in advance for £25 per person – includes Paddock Enclosure admission, racecard, a £2 tote bet, a pint and a bap from the Hog roast. 

 Supported once again by totepool, The Towton Chase has an impressive roll-call of winners, such as Wayward Prince, Weird Al, Kornati Kid, Heltornic, Ollie Magern, Royal Emperor, Keen Leader, Arctic Camper, Kadou Nonantais, Escartifigue and Mr. Mulligan (who went on to be the 1997 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner).

 

Totepool also put their name to three other races, including a valuable Handicap Chase over the extended two and a half miles. while the opening race is The Wilmot-Smith Memorial Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle – a contest which commemorates brothers Nick and Pat Wilmot-Smith – long-standing directors of the Wetherby Steeplechase Committee. In fact, the late Nick Wilmot-Smith served on the racecourse committee for 59 years and was chairman between 1968 and 1996. 

Amateur riders have their opportunity in The Racing UK Anywhere Open Hunters’ Chase over three miles and one furlong, while the afternoon’s concluding contest is a National Hunt Flat Race for young horses, is named in memory of June Berry, a long-standing badge holder at Wetherby who passed away last year.

 A giant screen, situated opposite the main stands, will enable racegoers to enjoy even more of the action, including Betfred Day from Sandown Park. 

There’s a free shuttle bus service between Wetherby Bus Station and the racecourse from 11-30 a.m., operating every 20 minutes. The bus will run shuttles on the return journey up to an hour after the last race (due off at 4-30 p.m.).

 

 

Catterick’s season over Jumps continues with a seven-race programme this Friday (January 30), which is set to begin at 1-10 p.m. with a Novices’ Handicap Hurdle race for stayers over the extended three miles and one furlong.

 The feature race, The New Racing UK Anywhere Available Now Handicap Chase, is contested over two and three furlongs and offers prize money of £12,000. The European Breeders’ Fund supports a race for Novice Hurdlers – a qualifying contest in a national series under the auspices of the EBF – which culminates in a Final at Sandown Park in March.

 The giant screen, situated opposite the main stands, will enable racegoers to enjoy even more of the action. There is a shuttle bus service from Richmond town centre prior to racing and returning after the last race. 

  • Two big race winners at Doncaster last Saturday – Intense Tango (successful in the Grade 2 Mares Hurdle) and If In Doubt (the winner of the £75,000 Sky Bet Chase) – both went into these races having won last time out at Catterick.

 

Doncaster’s principal meeting over Jumps, the two-day Sky Bet Chase Meeting this Friday and Saturday (January 23 & 24), features the most valuable race of the Jumping season on Town Moor – The Sky Bet Chase on Saturday – which offers prize money of £75,000. The big race is complemented by a trio of Grade 2 races on Saturday afternoon, along with a valuable handicap chase making the amount of prize money on offer during the day of almost £200,000.  

The Sky Bet Chase is a Handicap and Listed race over three miles and was first held at Doncaster in 1948 as The Great Yorkshire Chase. A quality turnout is expected for Saturday’s renewal, including potential Cheltenham Festival and Grand National contenders. Possible runners include Easter Day, If In Doubt, Mon Parrain, Medermit, Hadrian’s Approach and Night In Milan. The latter (trained near Saltburn by Keith Reveley and ridden by his son, James) won the Grimthorpe Chase last season at Doncaster.

 Saturday’s seven-race card starts at 12-25 p.m. and the three Grade 2 races are The OLBG.com Doncaster Mares’ Hurdle (a £36,500 contest over the extended two miles), The Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle (a £27,500 race for staying hurdlers over the extended three miles historically known as the River Don Novices’ Hurdle) and The Lightning Novices’ Chase (a contest over the extended two miles with prize money of £30,500). 

The £19,000 TRM-Excellence In Equine Nutrition Handicap Chase over the extended two miles is also featured on Saturday; the opening race is The Sky Bet Tracker Home Of Cash Out Handicap Hurdle, while the afternoon’s concluding race is a contest on the Flat for fillies and mares about to begin their careers over Jumps, and supported by both Park Hill Hospital Doncaster and The European Breeders’ Fund.

 Sky Bet, one of the UK’s leading horseracing, gaming and sports betting companies sponsor at this meeting for the 13th year and support all seven races on Friday when racing starts 12-35 p.m. 

After racing on Saturday, there’s live music for all racegoers on the ground floor of the Lazarus Stand, while the giant screen, situated opposite the main stands will enable racegoers to see all of the action. A shuttle bus service will be in operation from the railway station.

 

 

Catterick’s season over Jumps continues with a meeting next Wednesday (January 21) – set to begin at 1-00 p.m.  

The feature races are The catterickbridge.co.uk Handicap Chase over two miles, offering prize money of £12,000 and The racinguk.com Handicap Hurdle, a £10,000 contest over two miles and three furlongs. Both races last year were won by horses trained in Cheshire by Donald McCain and ridden by Jason Maguire – Cloudy Joker and Ubaltique respectively. 

The giant screen, situated opposite the main stands, will enable racegoers to enjoy even more of the action. There is a shuttle bus service from Richmond town centre prior to racing and returning after the last race.

 

                                                                      

Wetherby’s season over Jumps continues next Tuesday (January 20), when racing is scheduled to get underway at 1-05 p.m. 

The feature race is The New Racing UK Anywhere Available Now Handicap Chase – a contest for stayers over three miles and one furlong.  

The totepool Medieval Day – Saturday 31st January Handicap Chase is contested over the extended two and a half miles and the title is a reminder of Wetherby’s next meeting which features the Grade 2 totepool Towton Novices’ Chase. 

The giant screen situated opposite the stands will enable racegoers to see even more of the action.

 

 
 Wetherby’s first meeting of 2015 is set to take place this Saturday (January 10) – ‘Christmas Jumper’ Day – when race-goers can give their Christmas jumpers a last (or only!) official outing to obtain entry into the Paddock Enclosure for just a tenner. There’s also a prize for the ‘Best turned-out Jumper’! 

Saturday’s seven-race programme begins at 12-35 p.m. with a qualifying race in this season’s European Breeders’ Fund Novices’ Hurdle Series. The first four horses in this contest over the extended two and a half miles will be eligible to compete in the Final of this national series at Sandown Park in March.

 The feature race is The Download The New Racing UK iPad App Handicap Chase, contested over two miles and offering prize money of £18,500. Last year’s race was won by Desert Cry, trained in Cheshire by Donald McCain, who had also won the race the previous year with Dunowen Point. Another highlight is The wetherbyracing.co.uk Handicap Hurdle over the extended two and a half miles. 

 Four-year-old fillies take part in the final contest, a race on the Flat for young horses about to begin their careers over Jumps, known as a Bumper Race. This race is held over an unusual shorter distance of just over one mile and a half. 

The giant screen will be situated opposite the main stands, complemented by a display screen serving the parade ring area, enabling race-goers to see the big-race action from Kempton Park and Warwick. 

There’s a free shuttle bus service between Wetherby Bus Station and the racecourse from 11-00 a.m., operating every 20 minutes. The bus

 The first of 36 scheduled meetings this year at Doncaster takes place on Friday (January 9). The seven-race programme is scheduled to begin at 12-30 p.m., although there could be an earlier start as a race may be divided. 

Sports betting exchange company, Betdaq, are regular sponsors at Doncaster and they support all every race. The afternoon’s principal race is a new ‘Listed’ Chase for mares over the extended two and a half miles, offering prize money of £30,000. This race has been transferred from last week’s abandoned meeting at Doncaster. 

The giant screen, situated opposite the main stands will enable racegoers to see all of the action. A shuttle bus service will be in operation from the railway station.

 



A Happy New Year! The traditional New Year’s Day meeting at Catterick is the first of 185 scheduled meetings this year in Yorkshire as a whole. The popular track hosts an attractive programme over Jumps on Thursday, 1st, with mulled wine and mince pies for the early arrivals – while stocks last! 

Catterick stages further meetings this month on Thursday, 8th, Wednesday, 21st and Friday, 30th. The Thursday fixture includes the longest race of Catterick’s Jumping season, The North Yorkshire Grand National (won last year by Sun Cloud – trained at Malton by Malcolm Jefferson and ridden by Brian Hughes). The afternoon’s racing also includes The W.L. & Hector Christie Memorial Trophy (a Novices’ Chase), which commemorates William Christie and his son, Hector. William Christie passed away in 1962 at the age of 103. Educated at Eton and Oxford, his family were landowners in Wensleydale. In the Victorian era, he was an amateur rider, and rode winners in six different countries! Known as ‘The Squire of Jervaulx Abbey’, William Christie owned racehorses until he was 100 years old and he served as a Steward at Catterick. His son, Hector trained Fortina (owned by Lord Grimthorpe) to win the 1947 Cheltenham Gold Cup. Last year’s winner of this race was Alderbrook Lad – trained at Middleham in North Yorkshire by Micky Hammond and ridden by Joe Colliver.  

Yorkshire’s other Jumping venues, Doncaster and Wetherby provide opportunities this month for horses being considered for the forthcoming Cheltenham and Grand National Festivals. 

The first meeting of the year at Doncaster takes place on Friday, 9th, followed by a two-day fixture on Friday and Saturday (23rd & 24th) – the principal meeting over Jumps at the South Yorkshire venue.  Saturday’s big race is The Sky Bet Chase, a valuable Handicap and Listed race over three miles, the origins of which go back to 1948 and for many years was known as the Great Yorkshire Chase. The big race has produced some notable winners in recent years, such as Calgary Bay (2012), Big Fella Thanks (2009), Colourful Life (2005) and Barryscourt Lad (2003), while it was back in 1953 when Knock Hard won this race before going on the land The Cheltenham Gold Cup – the only horse to do so. The chief supporting races on a top-class afternoon’s racing on Town Moor are a trio of Grade 2 contests – The Albert Bartlett River Don Novices’ Hurdle, The OLBG.com Mares’ Hurdle and The Racing Post Lightning Novices’ Chase. 

Wetherby’s first meetings of the year include an attractive programme on Saturday, 10th (‘Christmas Jumper Saturday’), followed by a midweek fixture on Tuesday, 20th, and concluding with ‘Medieval Raceday’ on Saturday, 31st to highlight the afternoon’s feature race, The totepool Towton Novices’ Chase – a Grade 2 contest for leading novice chasers to advertise their credentials. The Battle of Towton in 1461 took place just a few miles from Wetherby and is acknowledged to be the bloodiest battle ever fought on British soil. It was a significant event in the ‘Wars of the Roses’ and resulted in a Yorkist victory. Almost 554 years later, this race meeting at Wetherby will include living history re-enactments, battle and weaponry demonstrations along with live music, making it a full day out for the family.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

Doncaster’s season over Jumps continues over the holiday period with the ‘Sprout-Free’ New Year Meeting on Monday (December 29) – a seven-race programme, set to begin at 12-10 p.m. (Gates open 10-00 a.m.) 

This meeting is the final day of the second Go Racing in Yorkshire Winter Festival 

Sports betting exchange, Betdaq are regular sponsors at Doncaster, and they support Monday’s card, with the feature race being The Betdaq No Premium Charge Mares’ Chase, a new Listed race for fillies and mares at this meeting, offering prize money of £30,000.

 

There’s a variety of special pre-booked packages on offer, including a ‘Sprout-Free’ Family Package which includes Grandstand admission for two adults, racecard and pie and peas for two. Accompanied children under 18 go free and there’s also free parking. 

There’s the chance to win an overnight stay at The Crown Hotel Bawtry along with tickets to Sky Bet Chase Day at Doncaster in January in a special competition held throughout the Go Racing in Yorkshire Winter Festival. Young racegoers have the chance to ‘Find the Red Snowflake’ in a special competition, with one lucky winner receiving a goodie bag and a family admission ticket to the ‘February Fun’ event at Stockeld park near Wetherby. There will be a preview of racing in the winners’ enclosure, prior to the first race. 

The giant screen situated opposite the main stands will enable racegoers to see all of the action, while a shuttle bus will be in operation from the railway station.

 

 SUNDAY AND NEW YEAR’S DAY FESTIVE ACTION AT CATTERICK
 

 

Catterick stages competitive action over Jumps during the forthcoming holiday period, with meetings on Sunday, December 28 and New Year’s Day, Thursday January 1, as the course sees out the Old Year and welcomes in the New Year. Racing on Sunday begins at 1-00 p.m., while the action on New Year’s Day is scheduled to start at 12-30 p.m. (gates open at 10-30 a.m.) 

On Saturday, the twin highlights are The Happy Birthday John Tate Handicap Chase (extended three miles and one furlong) and The Buy Your Annual Badge Today Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (two miles). Racegoers arriving early will be offered mulled wine and mince pies. 

Sunday’s card is part of the second Go Racing in Yorkshire Winter Festival which concludes at Doncaster the following day (December 29).There’s a chance to win an overnight stay for two at The Crown Hotel Bawtry along with tickets to Sky Bet Chase Day at Doncaster in January in a special racecard competition during the Festival. Young racegoers have the opportunity to ‘Find the Red Snowflake’ in a special competition, with one lucky winner receiving a goodie bag and a family admission ticket to the ‘February Fun’ even at Stockeld Park near Wetherby. 

The main races on New Year’s Day Thursday are also a couple of races over fences – a Handicap Chase over two miles and three furlongs and a Novices’ Chase over the extended three miles and one furlong. 

As usual, the giant screen will enable racegoers to see even more action on the track, including the big races from Cheltenham on New Year’s Day. There will be a preview of the afternoon’s racing in the winners’ enclosure some 45 minutes before the opening race. Car and coach parking is free, while accompanied children under 18 years of age are admitted free of charge. In addition, there’s a popular new indoor play area for youngsters in the Course Enclosure. The shuttle bus service from Richmond town centre will be in operation.

 

The second meeting of Catterick’s Jumping season takes place next Tuesday (December 16) – Pin Point Recruitment Day – when the seven-race programme is set to begin at 12-10 p.m. with a Handicap Hurdle contest for amateur riders.

 Newcastle-based Pin Point Recruitment are regular sponsors at Catterick and they support all seven races, the most valuable being The Pin Point Technical & Engineering Beginners’ Chase, offering prize money of £12,000.

 As usual, the giant screen will enable racegoers to see even more action on the track and the raceday shuttle bus service operates from Richmond town centre. 

Applications for membership at Catterick in 2015 are now being taken. For 27 scheduled racedays at Catterick next year, along with 30 reciprocal fixtures at other racecourses and a  selection Yorkshire County Cricket Club matches, the cost of membership is £140 (Single); £240 (Joint – husband and wife); £250 for a member and guest (transferable), while an optional Reserved Car Park Label can be purchased for £40. 

There’s holiday racing coming up at Catterick, with meetings on Sunday, December 28 and New Year’s Day Thursday, January 1. The Sunday fixture is part of the ‘Go Racing in Yorkshire Winter Festival’.

 

                                                                      

 

 Wetherby is gearing up for the traditional two-day William Hill Yorkshire Winter Festival on Boxing Day Friday and Saturday (December 26 & 27). With increased prize money in excess of £125,000 on offer, this prestigious fixture is set to attract several of the country’s top horses, as preparations continue for both the Cheltenham and Grand National Festivals in the spring. 

The gates open on both days at 10 a.m., and there’s complimentary mulled wine and mince pies for the ‘early birds’ on Boxing Day. As usual, accompanied children aged 17 and under are admitted free of charge into all enclosures. There’s also a dedicated ‘Parenting Room’ in the Paddock Enclosure, with baby-changing facilities, microwave and comfy chairs. 

This meeting forms the opening two days of the Go Racing in Yorkshire Winter Festival – now in its second year – which also includes racing at Catterick (28 December) and Doncaster (29 December). 

Racing on Boxing Day Friday begins at 12-35 p.m. and the principal race of the afternoon is The William Hill Rowland Meyrick Handicap Chase, a Grade 3 contest for stayers over three miles and one furlong offering prize money of £40,000. Synonymous with Wetherby’s Christmas Meeting for many years, this

race commemorates a former clerk of the course, who officiated between 1919 and 1947.  

Malton trainer, Malcolm Jefferson has supplied the last two winners of this race – Wetherby’s leading trainer last season, Sue Smith supplied the winner of this race last year, Cloudy Too, ridden by Jonathan England. 

Saturday’s programme is set to begin at 12-00 and the afternoon’s main race, The William Hill Castleford Handicap Chase, is a contest for chasers over the specialist distance of two miles, with the contenders attacking their fences at speed. 

The giant screen will be in use during the meeting, while a display screen will provide details for racegoers in the vicinity of the parade ring. They will also be showing the action from Kempton Park over both days, including The King George VI Chase on Boxing Day. There are extra facilities to cater for the large crowds expected, including additional marquee areas. 

Musical entertainment on both days is provided by the LA Jazz Band and the Endeavour Ceilidh Band.

 There’s also the chance to win an overnight stay for two at The Crown Hotel Bawtry along with tickets to Sky Bet Chase Day at Doncaster in January in a special racecard competition during the Go Racing in Yorkshire Winter Festival. There’s also a special ‘Find the Red Snowflake’ competition, encouraging younger racegoers to hunt out the snowflake with the lucky winner receiving a goodie bag and a family admission ticket to the February Fun event at Stockeld Park near Wetherby. There will also be previews of the racing some 45 minutes before the first race, while former jockey, Niall Hannity will provide Paddock commentaries prior to each race. 

On both days, there’s a free shuttle bus service between Wetherby Bus Station and the racecourse from 11-00 a.m. on both days, operating every 20 minutes. The bus will run shuttles on the reverse journey up to an hour after the last race

 

 



Doncaster’s season over Jumps continues with the two-day Christmas Meeting this Friday and Saturday (December 12 & 13). There are seven races on both days.

 Betdaq Day on Friday begins at 12-10 p.m. with a Novices’ Chase supported by leading Doncaster-based private hospital, Park Hill Hospital. The afternoon’s feature race is The Betdaq No Premium Charge Handicap Chase – a contest for stayers over three and a quarter miles.

 It’s bet365 Day on Saturday, with a start time of 11-55 a.m. A couple of Grade 2 races are featured – The bet365 December Novices’ Chase over three miles (a new addition to the racing programme) and The bet365 Summit Juvenile Hurdle (for leading three-year-olds over the extended two miles). Total prize money on offer for Saturday is over £118,000. 

The Salvation Army Band provide the musical entertainment with traditional Christmas Carols, while Santa will make an appearance for younger racegoers. 

The giant screen situated opposite the main stands will enable racegoers to see all of the action, including racing from Cheltenham. A shuttle bus will be in operation from the railway station.

 



Harvey Smith gets into the spirit of Christmas to launch the 2nd Go Racing in Yorkshire Winter Festival which takes place between 26th and 29th December at Wetherby, Catterick and Doncaster. 

The Winter Festival comes hot on the heels of a highly successful Summer Festival earlier this year and brings together 3 Yorkshire racecourses on 4 consecutive days during Christmas week.

The Festival starts on the 26th December (Boxing Day) at Wetherby, Yorkshire’s traditional home of Christmas racing, with the two-day William Hill Yorkshire Winter Festival before moving to Catterick on the 28th and finishing at Doncaster on Sunday 29th December.

This year’s entertainment includes stilt walkers and fire eaters who will be welcoming racegoers at each of the racecourses. There’s a racecard competition to win 2 badges for the Sky Bet Chase day at Doncaster on Saturday, 24th January and includes overnight stay for two at the Crown Inn Bawtry. Entry forms will be printed in the racecard every day.

A special “find the snowflake” competition aimed at family racegoers will feature at each course, encouraging family and younger racegoers to hunt out the snowflake with one lucky winner at each racecourse wining a goodie bag and a family admission ticket to February Fun event courtesy of Stockeld Park near Wetherby.

John Sexton, Chairman of Go Racing in Yorkshire commented “On these short winter days, it is great to be look forward to something special and the Go Racing In Yorkshire Winter Festival certainly fits the bill.

This mini-Festival covers the three Yorkshire jumping courses of Wetherby, Catterick and Doncaster is the perfect complement to the highly-successful Go Racing In Yorkshire Summer Festival offering, as it does, lots of fun and high quality, exciting racing for all the family”.

Keep up to date with the Festival by following Go Racing In Yorkshire’s social media pages for news updates and competitions.

For more information including advanced ticket sales promotion and discounts visit the individual course websites.

 



The Groundstaff at York Racecourse have been recognised by the Institute of Groundsmanship (IOG) for their hard work during the 2014 season. They collected the prestigious IOG John Deere Professional Horse Racing Grounds Team of the Year Award at a Gala Dinner on 4 December.

 This latest award follows the recognition of the Head Groundsman at York, Adrian Kay, in the same awards last year, when he was became the first from the racing world to land the coveted overall national title of ‘The Alex R Miller Award’ for being Professional Groundsman of the Year. 


Once again a judging panel of turf professionals and head groundsmen from some of Britain’s best known sports stadia assessed the finalists over a number of criteria as well as a site visit.

 Head Gardener, Zac Rafferty, is a member of the groundstaff enjoying a fruitful awards season, as his skills in decorating a wooden rubbish bin crafted by the carpenters at the Knavesmire also won national recognition at the Racecourse Association Showcase in November. Earlier in the year, Zac also won a Gold Award from the Yorkshire in Bloom judges.

 Collecting the award, Chief Executive and Clerk of the Course, William Derby said, “It’s been a busy year for the groundstaff and everyone at the course, with some wonderful equine stars, 336,000 racegoers and the added excitement of starting the Tour de France. So I’m delighted that the efforts of Team York have been recognised in this Award and our other nominations at the end of another successful season.”

 

 

Catterick’s 2014/15 season over Jumps begins next Wednesday (December 3) – the first of ten scheduled days’ racing over Jumps at the North Yorkshire track during the campaign, which concludes in March.

 The action on Wednesday afternoon is due to start at 12-20 p.m. and the 50th anniversary of The Injured Jockeys Fund is celebrated in the title of the opening race – a Handicap Hurdle contest for Conditional jockeys – along with The IJF John Oaksey Memorial Beginners’ Chase and The Support The House That Jack Built Juvenile Hurdle. The late Lord Oaksey was instrumental in setting up the IJF in 1964, while former trainer, Jack Berry is the driving force behind ‘Jack Berry House’, the state-of-the-art jockeys’ rehabilitation centre in Malton, which will open in the new year.

 Cheshire-based trainer, Donald McCain and his stable jockey, Jason Maguire were the leading trainer and jockey during Catterick’s previous season over Jumps, while North Yorkshire-based Tony Kelly was the top Conditional rider in the competitions sponsored by International Racecourse Management Ltd., the company which administers racing at Catterick. It is hoped that presentations can be made to the respective winners on Wednesday.
 
As usual, the giant screen will enable racegoers to see even more action on the track and the raceday shuttle bus service operates from Richmond town centre.

 


The second Go Racing in Yorkshire Winter Festival takes place over the Christmas period, involving all three Yorkshire racecourses which stage racing over Jumps. This provides opportunities to enjoy the sport of racing in the county over four consecutive days between Christmas and New Year with entertainment both on and off the track in a family-oriented environment. 

There’s the chance of finding out about racing in Yorkshire, along with fixture lists for next year, how to be involved in local racing syndicates, along with a special racecard competition in respect of a day out on Sky Bet Chase Day at Doncaster at the end of January and an overnight stay at The Crown Hotel at Bawtry. Each day will include previews of the afternoon’s racing to inform and entertain racegoers. 

The Festival starts with the traditional two-day Christmas Meeting at Wetherby supported by William Hill on Boxing Day Friday (26th) and Saturday (27th). This is an important meeting especially for northern-trained horses as they prepare for the big Spring Festivals at both Cheltenham and Aintree. The feature race on the opening day, The Rowland Meyrick Handicap Chase over three miles and one furlong, is one of the top races for stayers in the north at this time of the season, and could attract some Grand National contenders. Cloudy Too – trained at High Eldwick near Bingley by Sue Smith – won last year’s race which is named after Rowland Meyrick, a former clerk of the course at Wetherby, who officiated between 1919 and 1947.

 

The main race on the second day of Wetherby’s Christmas spectacular is The Castleford Chase, a contest over the extended two miles which will ensure a fast pace, requiring speed and accuracy over fences. The race could possibly attract one or two contenders for the Queen Mother Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival in March.

 The other fixtures comprising the Go Racing in Yorkshire Winter Festival are at Catterick (Sunday, 28th) and Doncaster (Monday, 29th). The latter meeting features a new Listed race over fences for mares.

 Prior to hosting the Christmas fixture, Wetherby stages a competitive card on Saturday, 6th (‘Christmas Carol Saturday’). There’s a two-day fixture at Doncaster the following week Friday and Saturday (12th &13th) – as the Jumping season on Town Moor continues. Saturday’s upgraded card features a couple of Grade 2 contests – The Summit Juvenile Hurdle for up-and-coming three-year-olds and a new addition to the programme, a contest for leading novice chasers.

 

 

 

 

Catterick’s season over Jumps begins on Wednesday, 3rd, followed by a meeting on Tuesday, 16th and then the aforementioned card on Sunday, 28th. The North Yorkshire track launches the 2015 campaign in the county with the traditional New Year’s Day Meeting – Bank Holiday Thursday, January 1st.

 A Merry Christmas to you all.

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                      

Wetherby’s Christmas Carol Saturday meeting this weekend (December 6) is a seven-race programme starting at 12-10 p.m. The pair of feature races – both offering prize money of £10,000 – are The Constant Security Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (extended two and a half miles) and The Download The toteexacta Pick The 1, 2 Handicap Chase over two miles. The latter is one of four races supported by totepool during the afternoon.

 Constant Security Services provide the security duties at most Yorkshire racecourses, while Racing UK put their name to a couple of races; the action from Wetherby is shown ‘live’ on Racing UK. 

The Christmas lights at the racecourse will be switched on; musical entertainment is provided by a brass ensemble, while members of the Wetherby Musical Theatre Group will be singing carols as part of their fund-raising activities.

 The giant screen situated opposite the stands will enable racegoers to see even more of the action, supplemented by an additional screen near the parade ring.

 Also on Saturday, there’s a free shuttle bus service between Wetherby Bus Station and the racecourse, starting at 11-00 a.m., operating every 20 minutes and then up to an hour after the conclusion of racing.

 

The second meeting of Doncaster’s season over Jumps takes place on Friday (November 28) with The Ice Cream Direct UK Race Day – a seven-race programme which is due to begin at 12-15 p.m.

Doncaster-based Ice Cream Direct UK Ltd. is an independent wholesaler of ice cream and related products throughout the UK. The race titles reflect the flavour of the afternoon – The Independent Ice Cream Wholesalers’ Handicap Chase (two miles and three furlongs) is the feature contest on a card which also includes The Ice Cream Direct (UK) Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase, The Massarellas Centenary Novices’ Hurdle, The Eden Farm Novices’ Chase, The Walls Magnum Classic Handicap Hurdle, The Cadbury Flake 99 Novices’ Handicap Hurdle and The Kelly’s Of Cornwall National Hunt Flat Race.

The giant screen, situated opposite the main stands will enable racegoers to see all of the action. A shuttle bus service will be in operation from the railway station. 

 The next meetings at Doncaster are the two-day Christmas Meeting on Friday and Saturday, December 12 & 13, followed by a fixture on Monday, December 29 (‘Sprout-Free Zone Day’) – the final day of the ‘Go Racing in Yorkshire’ Winter Festival.

 

                                                                      

Wetherby’s season over Jumps continues next Wednesday (November 26) with a seven-race card which is set to start at 12-15 p.m. 

The feature race is The William Hill Yorkshire Winter Festival Handicap Chase over two miles, the title of which draws attention to Wetherby’s two-day Christmas fixture on Boxing Day Friday and Saturday, December 26 & 27. Last year’s winner of this race, Firth Of The Clyde (trained at Malton by Malcolm Jefferson), went on to compete in The Byrne Group Plate at the Cheltenham Festival in March. 

The 50th anniversary of The Injured Jockeys Fund is celebrated in the race title of a contest for novice hurdlers, while the concluding race, a National Hunt Flat race for fillies and mares which are about to begin their careers over Jumps, is supported by The European Breeders’ Fund. 

The giant screen situated opposite the stands will enable racegoers to see even more of the action.

 


 
Just ten days after hosting the final meeting of the 2014 British Flat Season on turf, Doncaster’s 2014/15 season over Jumps begins next Tuesday (November 18) with a new meeting – Betdaq Day – a seven-race programme due to start at 12-50 p.m.  

This is the first of twelve scheduled racedays over Jumps this season on Town Moor, which concludes on the final day of February. 

Sports betting exchange company, Betdaq, are regular sponsors at Doncaster and they support all seven races; the feature race is a Handicap Chase over the extended two and a half miles. 

Highlights of the Jumps season at Doncaster include the Christmas/New Year Meeting on Monday December 29 – a Family Day fixture on Town Moor – along with the two-day Sky Bet Chase Meeting on Friday and Saturday, January 23 & 24 and the concluding meeting of the season, the two-day  Grimthorpe Chase fixture on Friday and Saturday, February 27 & 28. 

The giant screen, situated opposite the main stands will enable racegoers to see all of the action. A shuttle bus service will be in operation from the railway station.

 


 Wetherby’s annual totepool & CIU Charity Racecday takes place on Saturday (November 15), with the twin highlights being a Handicap Chase for stayers over three miles and one furlong and a Handicap Hurdle contest over the extended two miles – both races held under the totepool banner and promoting the popular Saturday bet linked to races shown live on Channel 4 Racing – The totescoop6. Yorkshire-trained horses won both races last year, with No Planning taking the Handicap Chase for trainer Sue Smith, while Zaplamation (trained by John Quinn) landed the Handicap Hurdle contest. 

Saturday’s seven-race programme begins at 12-25 p.m. and the afternoon’s activities are supported by members of the Club & Institute Union Racing Club as they continue to attend this Saturday fixture. Senior officials of the CIU will also be at Wetherby, as funds are raised for the CIU’s holiday and convalescent centre at Saltburn on the Yorkshire coast. A record number of bookings for Saturday’s meeting have been made by clubs affiliated to the CIU – in excess of 1,800 – with Farsley WMC once again leading the way with over 250 members due at Wetherby.

 Leeds-based national gaming machine specialists, Dransfields once again support a Handicap Hurdle contest for stayers over three miles and one furlong, while The Hartleys 60th Anniversary Handicap Chase (extended two and a half miles) is also featured. This latter race is supported by leading frozen vegetable suppliers, J.E. Hartley Ltd, based in Thorganby near York, as part of the company’s 60th anniversary celebrations. 

There will be a preview of the afternoon’s racing in the winners’ enclosure prior to racing. Also, for the 22nd consecutive year, members of Driffield Veterans’ Soccer Club will be attending this meeting, as usual in fancy dress – the theme this year is ‘Mexican Banditos’! 

The giant screen situated opposite the stands will enable racegoers to see even more of the action, including racing from Cheltenham and the big race, The Paddy Power Gold Cup (due off at 2-30 p.m.) The full-colour racecard will contain details of the feature races at Cheltenham, while Irish Band, ‘Ceilidh House’ provide the musical entertainment in the Paddock Enclosure.

 Also on Saturday, there’s a free shuttle bus service between Wetherby Bus Station prior to and for up to one hour after the final race.

 

                         

 

 

Malton trainer, Richard Fahey and North Yorkshire-based jockey, Graham Lee won their respective races for the Sky Bet Trophies presented to the leading trainer and jockey who record the most number of winners on the Yorkshire racecourses during the 2014 Flat season, which concluded at Doncaster on Saturday, November 8. 

Fahey wins the trainers’ award for the fifth time, retaining his title with a record number of winners – 79 on the county’s racecourses – breaking his own record of 70 winners set in 2009. David O’Meara (based near Helmsley) was his nearest challenger with 47 winners. 

It was much closer in the battle to be the leading rider on the county’s tracks, with Lee and Paul Mulrennan both finishing on 49 winners; Lee takes the award for the first time by virtue of having more second places. Lee’s winner on Lady Tiana on the final day at Doncaster was enough to see him over the line. The former Grand National-winning rider is a previous winner of the award for being the top rider during a Jumps season in Yorkshire. In fact, he has won the county’s Jumps award on three occasions (2004/05, 2005/06 and 2007/08). His transformation to a leading exponent of riding on the Flat has been emphasised this year, with a tally of 129 winners as a whole during the British campaign, resulting in him being crowned the ‘Cock O’ The North’ as the leading northern-based rider of 2014.

 

The trophies will be presented at the ‘Go Racing in Yorkshire’ Annual Awards Lunch on December 18 at York Racecourse, an event also sponsored by Sky Bet.

 


Doncaster stages the traditional conclusion to the British Flat season on turf, when the 2014 campaign signs off in style with a seven-race programme this Saturday (November 8) – Betfred November Handicap Day starting at 12-40 p.m. 

To celebrate the 2014 season, there will be ‘end of term’ presentations to honour the champions of the season, including the Champion Jockey, Richard Hughes – who wins the coveted title for the third successive year.

With a very impressive tally of over 70 winners, Oisin Murphy will be crowned the Champion Apprentice Jockey of the season, while It is also planned to make presentations to the champion trainer Richard Hannon junior (in his first season as a trainer, after taking over from his father, who was last year’s champion trainer) and the representative of leading owner, HH Sheikh Hamdan al Maktoum, who lands the title for a seventh time. 

Presentations to the three category winners in the Prolinx Lady Jockeys’ Championship will also be made.

 The principal race of the afternoon is The Betfred November Handicap Stakes. This famous ultra-competitive Handicap over one mile and a half offers record prize money of £70,000 and was won last season by Conduct, trained at Newmarket by William Haggas and ridden by former champion jockey, Seb Sanders.. A couple of long-standing Listed races are also featured – The Betfred TV EBF Gillies Fillies’ Stakes (a contest for fillies and mares named in memory of a former chairman of Doncaster racecourse, Cllr. Ron Gillies, J.P.) and The Betfred Goals Galore Wentworth Stakes, a race for sprinters over six furlongs. Both races offer prize money of £40,000. The Betfred Mobile ‘Cock O’The North’ EBF Maiden Stakes refers to the leading northern-based jockey of the Flat season, Graham Lee- the former Grand National-winning rider – who has recorded over a century of winners for the season to win this award for the first time.  

The afternoon’s concluding race is the Final Round of the Go Racing in Yorkshire Future Stars Apprentice Series for 2014. The Series – in its second year – has been held on each of the county’s racecourses which stage Flat racing, and there is sponsorship by Go Racing in Yorkshire and equipment courtesy of White Rose Saddlery of Malton up for grabs for the winner, along with the opportunity to promote racing in Yorkshire in 2015. Megan Carberry with 59 points is already confirmed the Series’ winner, going into Saturday’s race, following on from last year’s inaugural winner, Gary Mahon.

 There’s live musical entertainment after racing on stage in the main betting hall, courtesy of ‘Scully & Co’, a five-piece band from Liverpool.

 The giant screen, situated opposite the main stands will enable racegoers to see all of the action. A shuttle bus service will be in operation from the railway station.

 

 

Redcar’s 2014 season on the Flat comes to a resounding conclusion on Tuesday (November 4), with a seven-race programme scheduled to start at 1-00 p.m. with a race for maiden two-year-old supported by The European Breeders’ Fund in association with Irish Stallion Farms. 

As usual, the giant screen situated opposite the stands will enable racegoers to see even more of the action on the track.

 Going into this final meeting of Redcar’s campaign, the course’s top trainer and jockey awards for the season – based on a points system for winners and places obtained – will be decided, with Malton-based trainers, Tim Easterby and Richard Fahey leading the way in the trainers’ category, while Graham Lee has a clear advantage in the race to be the leading jockey. 

Redcar’s 18-day 2015 season begins on Easter Monday, April 6.

 

 

The Jumping season –both in the north and in Britain as a whole – gathers significant momentum courtesy of Wetherby’s two-day bet365 Charlie Hall Chase Meeting (Friday and Saturday, October 31st & November 1st) which offers prize money of £265,000, while Doncaster stages the traditional finale to the British Flat season on Saturday, 8th, including the national presentations to the leading owner, trainer, jockey and apprentice rider. 

Top-class chasers – possible Cheltenham Gold Cup contenders – are set to face the starter in the bet365 Charlie Hall Chase on the first Saturday this month at Wetherby. This prestigious £100,000 Grade 2 contest over three miles and one furlong remembers a famous Yorkshire trainer, Charlie Hall, who was based at nearby Towton. Regarded as a stepping stone for the heavyweights in the Jumping game for future big-race honours, this famous race should attract a quality line-up. Last year’s winner, Harry Topper represented former Cheltenham Gold Cup, Grand National and Champion Hurdle-winning trainer Kim Bailey, who is based near Cheltenham.  

Saturday’s seven-race programme also features another Grade 2 contest, The bet365 Hurdle (won for the past two years by the classy, enigmatic Tidal Bay), a £37,000 race which is sure to include progressive staying hurdlers which could go on to compete in The World Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in March. Another highlight on a quality Saturday is a Listed hurdle contest for fillies and mares over the extended two miles, The OLBG.com Hurdle, won last year by Cockney Sparrow – trained at Malton by John Quinn – who went on to win the Scottish Champion Hurdle at Ayr in April.

 There’s a pair of Listed races on the Friday at Wetherby, with talented young hurdlers taking part in The Weatherbys Hamilton Insurance Wensleydale Juvenile Novices’ Hurdle for three-year-olds and The bet365 Handicap Chase over the larger obstacles. 

The 2014 British Flat season on turf reaches a stylish conclusion at Doncaster the following Saturday, with Richard Hughes – the Champion Jockey for the past two years – having a titanic battle with former three-times champion, Ryan Moore in this season’s championship. Northern-based riders, Graham Lee and Joe Fanning are also in the mix, as the championship could go right down to the wire. 

Newmarket-based trainer, John Gosden leads the way in the British Trainers’ Championship, having accumulated almost £3.5 million in prize money; the championship is decided on the amount of prize money attained throughout the season. Once again, Yorkshire-based trainers are to the fore, with Mark Johnston and Richard Fahey having accumulated over £2 million in prize money, while David O’Meara and Kevin Ryan have burst through the £1 million barrier. 

The 2014 Go Racing in Yorkshire Future Stars Apprentice Series comes to a climax at Doncaster, with Megan Carberry leading the way in this special series for young riders on the Yorkshire courses, now in its second year.  

The battle for the Sky Bet trophies presented to the leading trainer and jockey on the Yorkshire courses during the Flat season, could go right down to the wire, particularly the riders’ category. Paul Mulrennan is the leader in the saddle, closely pursued by the winner for the last two years, Danny Tudhope, while Richard Fahey ( four-times winner) has a clear advantage over David O’Meara in the race to be the county’s top trainer. 

The action on the track at Doncaster features The Betfred November Handicap over one mile and a half, offering prize money of £65,000 with strong support from a couple of valuable £40,000 Listed races, The European Breeders’ Fund Gillies Fillies’ Stakes and The Wentworth Stakes. 

Redcar’s season on the Flat concludes on Tuesday, 4th, prior to the climax at Doncaster. Racing over Jumps at Wetherbycontinues with a meeting on Saturday, 15th – ‘totepool Day’ incorporating the annual CIU Charity Raceday at the popular West Yorkshire Jumps venue, which is also in action on Wednesday, 26th (‘Countryside Day’) A new season over Jumps at Doncaster begins on Tuesday, 18th and continues onFriday, 28th. 

Australia’s flagship race, The Melbourne Cup takes place in the early hours of Tuesday morning (4th) and it will be interesting to see if Estimate – owned by The Queen – is in the line-up, having finished runner-up in the Lonsdale Cup at York in August.

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                   

One of the flagship meetings of the season at Wetherby takes place this Friday and Saturday (October 31 & November 1) – a top-quality two-day programme over Jumps. The highlight is the course’s richest race of the season on Saturday, The bet365 Charlie Hall Chase, which for the sixth consecutive year offers prize money of £100,000. Total prize money on offer for the meeting has been increased to a record £265,000. 

Leading contenders of the Jumping game are set to be in action at Wetherby as the current season over Jumps starts to gather momentum. Sponsored for the twelfth year by leading sports bookmaker, bet365, Saturday’s Charlie Hall Chase is a Grade 2 contest over three miles and one furlong and is recognised as one of the most important and informative early-season races for top chasers as they set out on the long road to the Cheltenham and Grand National Festivals in the spring. The race commemorates the local Champion Hurdle-winning trainer, Charlie Hall who recorded a remarkable 169 winners at Wetherby from his base at nearby Towton. In all, he trained 584 winners over Jumps, plus some 100 winners on the Flat. He passed away in 1977, aged 75. 

Possible contenders include the 2012 winner, Silviniaco Conti, who finished fourth in the Cheltenham Gold Cup last season, before going on to win a Grade 1 Chase at the Grand National meeting; The Giant Bolster who was third in the Cheltenham Gold Cup; Cloudy Too – trained at High Eldwick near Bingley by Sue Smith, and the winner of The Rowland Meyrick Handicap Chase – the big race at Wetherby on Boxing Day. Last year’s winner, Harry Topper could be back again, along with one of last season’s leading novice chasers, Taquin du Seuil and the Irish-trained First Lieutenant. 

This prestigious race has been won by some of the very best chasers over the years, among them Wayward Lad, Burrough Hill Lad, Forgive ‘N’ Forget, Celtic Shot, Barton Bank, One Man, See More Business, Grey Abbey, Our Vic, Deep Purple, Nacarat, Weird Al and Silviniaco Conti. 

Saturday’s seven-race programme begins at 12-55 p.m. and a quality card also includes a pair of valuable hurdle contests – The bet365 Hurdle (a Grade 2 race for staying hurdlers whose ultimate target could be The Ladbrokes World Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival) and The OLBG.com Mares’ Hurdle – a Listed race for fillies and mares. The hugely-talented but enigmatic Tidal Bay has won The bet365 Hurdle for the last two seasons, producing storming finishes on both occasions. Saturday’s renewal could include the current World Hurdle winner, More Of That, as he begins his season as part of his preparations to retain his crown at Cheltenham. 

The action on Friday begins at 1-10 p.m. and the afternoon’s twin highlights are a pair of Listed races. The Weatherbys Hamilton Insurance Wensleydale Juvenile Novices’ Hurdle is a contest for precocious three-year-old hurdlers, while The bet365 Handicap Chase is held over the extended two and a half miles. The longest race of the afternoon is The bet365.com Handicap Chase over three miles and one furlong. 

‘New Beginnings’, the Yorkshire-based enterprise that seek to provide a safe, secure and supportive environment for former racehorses will have former Wetherby specialist and great favourite with racegoers Mister McGoldrick in attendance on Saturday. 

Also on Saturday, there’s a free shuttle bus service between Wetherby Bus Station and the racecourse starting at 11-25 a.m. and then operating every 20 minutes up to the first race, concluding an hour after the final race at 4-20 p.m. 

On Saturday, former Yorkshire-based Jump jockey, Niall Hanitty will be giving paddock commentaries prior to each race. 

 Musical entertainment is provided in the Paddock Enclosure on Saturday by both the Endeavour Band and The Eugene Farrar Band (the former also perform on Friday) whilethe giant screen, situated opposite the stands, is in operation both days, with an additional screen located by the parade ring during the meeting.

 

  Catterick’s final fixture on the Flat this year takes place on Tuesday (October 28), when racing is scheduled to begin at 1-50 p.m.

 The David Barker Memorial Handicap Stakes – a contest for sprinters over six furlongs – remembers a former trainer who was based at nearby Scorton. He passed away in February, aged 44. Always a popular figure at racecourses in Yorkshire, the north and Scotland, David enjoyed a fair amount of success at Catterick. He was particularly adept at producing good sprinters, such as Celtic Mill and Sierra Vista. He also trained multiple winners such as Tancred Times and Mecca’s Mate. Appropriately, his colours were carried to victory at Catterick last Saturday by Comino. 

Going into this final meeting of the season, Malton trainer, Richard Fahey and jockey P.J. McDonald lead the way in their respective categories regarding the awards for the top trainer and rider during Catterick’s campaign on the Flat, supported by The Nag’s Head at Pickhill. 

As usual, the giant screen will enable racegoers to see even more action on the track while the indoor and outdoor play areas in the Course Enclosure will be available for youngsters. The raceday shuttle bus service operates from Richmond town centre. 

Catterick’s next meeting on Wednesday, December 3 signals the start of the course’s 2014/15 season over Jumps.

 

  Double Trigger, one of Britain’s great stayers on the Flat in recent years, is once again honoured in The Double Trigger Maiden Stakes at Redcar on Monday (October 27), when racing programme is scheduled to start at 1-10 p.m.  

A contest for two-year-olds over nine furlongs, The Double Trigger Maiden Stakes is supported by The European Breeders’ Fund. It’s the equivalent race won by Double Trigger on his racecourse debut in 1993, when he broke the track record for a juvenile over that distance, winning by ten lengths at 14/1! Thus, a remarkable career was launched at Redcar. 

Trained at Middleham by Mark Johnston, Double Trigger won 14 of his 29 races, twelve of which were Group races, becoming the first horse for over 150 years to win the Doncaster Cup on three occasions (1995, 1996 and 1998). As a result, he had a locomotive named after him, while a life-size bronze of Double Trigger stands at Doncaster racecourse. Double Trigger is now a dual-purpose stallion, standing at Clarendon Farm in Wiltshire. In a racing career in which he earned his connections over £500,000, Double Trigger was purchased for just IR£7,200 at the 1992 Irish National Sale! 

Regular sponsors, Market Cross Jewellers support a handicap contest for three-year-old stayers over one mile and three-quarters.

 Monday’s opening race, another contest for maiden two-year-olds, is also supported by The European Breeders’ Fund in conjunction with British Stallion Studs. The giant screen, situated opposite the main stands, will enable racegoers to see even more action on the track.

 

 

Britain’s final Group 1 race of 2014, The Racing Post Trophy for leading two-year-olds, is the principal race at Doncaster on Saturday (October 25) – the second leg of the two-day October Meeting on Town Moor. Racing on Friday is scheduled to begin at 1-50 p.m., while the action on Saturday is set to start at 2-10 p.m. Saturday’s entertainment also includes the Final of the 2014 ‘Go Racing in Yorkshire’ Best-Dressed Lady competition, which will take place take place during the afternoon. 

First held in 1961, when known as The Timeform Gold Cup, The Racing Post Trophy over the straight mile offers prize money of £200,000 and boasts a fine pedigree, with Authorized, Motivator, High Chaparral and Camelot all winning this race as juveniles this century before going on to Derby glory at Epsom the following year. Last year’s winner, Kingston Hill has been one of the stars of this season, finishing runner-up in the Derby and going on to win the Ladbrokes St. Leger last month at Doncaster. 

The powerful racing operations, such as Ballydoyle and Godolphin are sure to be represented in The Racing Post Trophy, as they seek to introduce a possible star in the making for next year’s big races, including the Classics. 

Saturday’s seven-race programme also features a Listed race for two-year-old sprinters over six furlongs, The Scott Dobson Memorial Stakes and a valuable £50,000 sprint handicap contest over five furlongs, supported by sports betting exchange, Betdaq. The Racing Post Daily Edition For ipad Conditions Stakes (seven furlongs), The crownhotel-bawtry.com Nursery Handicap Stakes (for two-year-olds) and The Bet Through The Racing Post App Handicap Stakes (one mile and a half) are also part of Saturday’s card, while the concluding race – a handicap contest over seven furlongs contested by three-year-olds is The Chiltern Beauty Apprentice Jockeys’ Training Series Final – the culmination of a national series for young riders. The Series began back in May at Windsor and the leading riders going into this Final are David Parks, Joe Doyle and Jordan Vaughan. 

 After the second race, the Final of the ‘Go Racing in Yorkshire’ Best-Dressed Lady competition will take place, consisting of the nine ladies who have won the best-dressed competitions this summer on each of the Yorkshire racecourses. The overall winner will receive a luxury two-night break at the Best Western Mount Pleasant Hotel in Doncaster, a £500 fashion voucher from Yasmine of Bawtry & Epworth, along with a diamond pendant to the value of £2,500 courtesy of lovevintagediamonds.com 

 There are seven races on Friday, starting with The Socialites Zero Stoptober Nursery Handicap for two-year-olds, while other races for juveniles on the opening day are The Universal Recycling British Stallion Studs EBF Maiden Fillies’ Stakes and The Betdaq 3% Commission Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden Stakes – one of a quartet of races supported during the afternoon by Betdaq.

 In addition, the final 24 candidates in this year’s Racing Post/SIS Betting Shop Manager of the Year will be at the races on Friday; this is marked by the afternoon’s feature race, The Racing Post/SIS Betting Shop Manager of the Year Handicap Stakes over the sprint distance of six furlongs. The overall winner will be announced next month and will receive a VIP trip to next year’s Singapore Airlines International Cup, courtesy of The Singapore Turf Club. 

On Saturday, racegoers have the opportunity of meeting former England cricket captain, Graham Gooch, as part of the ‘Summer of Legends’ racedays by MV Entertainments. Gooch will be signing autographs during the afternoon in conjunction with Evans Halshaw Citroen Doncaster. 

The giant screen, situated opposite the main stands will enable racegoers to see all of the action. A shuttle bus service will be in operation from the railway station.

 

 Leading two-year-olds – possible stars of the future – are catered for in the principal race at Pontefract’s final meeting of 2014 on Monday (October 20), The totepool EBF Stallions Silver Tankard Stakes. Racing is scheduled to begin at 2-10 p.m. 

The 22nd running of The totepool EBF Stallions Silver Tankard Stakes, a Listed race for juveniles over one mile, should attract a good turnout of leading two-year-olds, as they compete for prize money of £40,000. This was the first Listed race to be held at Pontefract back in 1993; there are now five such races during the season.

 Former course specialist, Bluff Cove is once again honoured in the 24th renewal of The Bluff Cove Handicap Stakes, a race for stayers over two and a quarter miles, under the totetrifecta banner. Bluff Cove won five long distance races at Pontefract during the 90’s, when trained by the late Reg Hollinshead. This is the final race in this season’s Pontefract Stayers Championship, which incorporates all the races of at least two miles staged this year at the course. The owner, trainer and stable staff of the horse accumulating the most number of points during the series – now in its eleventh year – each receive a memento and £1,000. There’s everything to play for going into this concluding race of the series, with Hell Hath No Fury on twelve points holding a narrow advantage over New Youmzain, Beat The Shower, Statutory, Suprise Vendor and Teak.

 Malton-based Richard Fahey has all but won the trainers’ title at the track with eleven winners in the season-long competition to find Pontefract’s top trainer, while Silvestre de Sousa leads in the battle to be the top jockey this term with seven winners to his credit. 

There are still places available on the totepool ‘Punters Package’ on Monday, while Racing UK members can attend the meeting free of charge by registering on the Racing UK website. 

The racecourse’s ‘Postcode Lottery’ £2 promotion for this meeting concerns those living in the BD (Bradford) area. See the racecourse’s website for details.

 All of the action on Monday will be shown on the giant screen. 

Pontefract’s 16-day 2015 season begins on Tuesday, April 7 and annual membership prices remain the same at £190 (single) and £255 (joint) if booked before Christmas.

 

 

The totepool Catterick Dash takes pride of place on a seven-race programme at the North Yorkshire track on Saturday (October 18), when racing is scheduled to begin at 1-55 p.m. With almost £60,000 in prize money on offer throughout the afternoon, ‘totepool’ Day is Catterick’s richest raceday of the year.

 In fact, there’s prize money of £25,000 up for grabs in The totepool Catterick Dash, a handicap contest over the minimum distance of five furlongs which should attract plenty of good sprinters. Last year’s race was won by Even Stevens, owned and bred by Paul and Yvette Dixon and trained near Retford in Nottinghamshire by their son, Scott. 

Totepool continue to support this entire meeting, on a day which sees the penultimate round of the ‘Go Racing in Yorkshire’ Future Stars Apprentice Series – now in its second year – which culminates in a Final at Doncaster next month. Coming into this race, North Yorkshire-based rider, Megan Carberry has a clear advantage with 47 points, followed by a trio of riders on 24 points – Joe Doyle, Claire Murray and Alistair Rawlinson. 

As usual, the giant screen and the Closed-Circuit Television System will enable racegoers to see even more action on the track, along with showing the action from QIPCO British Champions Day at Ascot. 

The indoor and new outdoor play areas in the Course Enclosure will be in use for young racegoers. The raceday shuttle bus service is in operation from Richmond town centre.

 


Redcar’s season on the Flat continues with a seven-race programme this Friday (October 17), scheduled to start at 1-55 p.m. with a contest for maiden two-year-olds supported by The European Breeders’ Fund – one of two races held under the EBF banner. The opening two races are also named in honour of the 50th anniversary this year of The Injured Jockeys’ Fund. Racegoers will have the opportunity to purchase IJF merchandise, including the popular Christmas cards.

 The Sam Hall Memorial Handicap Stakes – the longest race of the afternoon – over one mile and three-quarters commemorates the great Yorkshire trainer, who passed away in 1977. He trained over 1,000 winners during an illustrious career which began in 1949, achieving a lot of success at Redcar, including winning the Zetland Gold Cup on four occasions. 

Regular sponsors, Market Cross Jewellers put their name to the afternoon’s other contest for maiden two-year-olds in association with The EBF, while Lady Amateur Riders take part in the final race, a Handicap contest over one mile and a quarter. 

As usual, the giant screen situated opposite the stands will enable racegoers to see even more of the action on the track.

 

 
Wetherby’s 2014/15 season over Jumps starts next Wednesday (October 15) – the first of 16 days’ racing during the campaign – which concludes with an evening meeting on Thursday, May 29, 2014 (Yorkshire Post Ladies’ Evening). In addition, Wetherby will host Flat racing for the first time in the course’s history, with a quartet of meetings covering April, June and July. 

Wednesday’s seven-race programme starts at 2-20 p.m. and is the backdrop to the 24th annual charity meeting in aid of Spinal Research, the national charity which funds research into finding a cure for paralysis caused by injury to the spinal cord. Spinal Research is again hosting a fund-raising luncheon prior to racing in a marquee adjacent to the parade ring, with several prizes to be auctioned, including tickets to Six Nations Rugby matches at both Twickenham and Cardiff.

Once again, the principal race on this day is The Bobby Renton Handicap Chase, a contest over the extended two and a half miles which remembers the late Bobby Renton, who trained Freebooter to win the 1950 Grand National from his base near Ripon. 

The opening race, The Spinal Research Rachel Wright Memorial Hurdle, a contest for three-year-old juvenile maiden hurdlers, is held in memory of Rachel Wright who organised this charity raceday since its inception and who passed away in 2006. 

Presentations will be made to the leading trainer of last season at Wetherby, Sue Smith (the High Eldwick, Bingley trainer, who retains her title) along with the top jockey (Brian Hughes) and Conditional rider (Jonathan England) at the course last term.

 

 

The last chance to enjoy racing action at York in 2014 comes on Friday and Saturday (10 & 11 October). With prize money of over £315,000 on offer, it is the most valuable October finale ever held on the Knavesmire 

Friday will see the third staging of ‘Countryside Raceday’ while Saturday will be accompanied by the sound of the Corps of Drums of the Coldstream Guards. 

Saturday’s quality programme begins at 1-50 p.m. The Coral Sprint Trophy takes pride of place with this famous contest offering prize money of £75,000, while precocious two-year-olds are catered for in The Coral Rockingham Stakes, a £45,000 Listed race. Both feature races are run over six furlongs. 

Leading bookmaker, Coral support five of Saturday’s seven races, with the opening race being the sportingbet.com Stakes – a valuable handicap contest for three-year-olds over none furlongs. The Corps of Drums will perform during the afternoon and bring the curtain down on the season as they mark the Coldstream Guards Association Cup, a middle-distance handicap race. 

Looking to combine the delights of the rural life with the excitement of a raceday, the ‘Countryside Raceday’ on Friday will mean seven races being complemented by rural activity and products; including a sheepdog display courtesy of Carol Melling from ITV’s ‘The Dales’, free laser clay-shooting and a chance to get up close to some birds of prey. For those wishing to start their Christmas shopping early there is a Countryside Market of local produce and crafts. 

Friday’s card begins at 2-00 p.m. and blends competitive handicaps with contests to develop the two-year-olds as well as honing the talents of apprentice jockeys. Regular race sponsors on this day include TSG, the IT provider that supports the racecourse team and Future Cleaning Services who keep the stands spic and span. Regulars at York and visitors to the city will recognize the Parsonage Country House Hotel & Cloisters Spa at Escrick who return in support of a race on this day. The European Breeders’ Fund continue their backing of York with support of the contest for maiden two-year-olds in conjunction with Brittain’s Beverages, the latter will be offering their locally produced flavoured vodkas on both days. Completing a day of returning sponsors, are Bell Trailers, Jigsaw Sports Branding and bookmaker Stan James. The latter displaying both their wider support of racing and a sense of humour in naming the richest race of the day, “The This Isn’t the Stan James Champion Hurdle Stakes”, no doubt much to the relief of the connections of the flat thoroughbreds looking to be at their best over just a mile.  

The meeting will also see the conclusion of the season long contests to be top jockey and trainer at York. Both competitions look like going right down to the wire. In the Living North-sponsored jockey’s race, the John Smith’s Cup and Classic-winning rider, Andrea Atzeni has a narrow advantage with eight winners so far this term at York, closely followed on seven winners by three-time champion jockey, Ryan Moore (who won this award last year having accrued ten winners) and North Yorkshire-based, Danny Tudhope. 

The race to be the Charles Clinkard Top Trainer at York is led by the current champion on the Knavesmire, locally-based David O’Meara with nine successes to date, closely pursued by Malton trainer, Richard Fahey with six winners. Prior to last year, Fahey had won this award for seven consecutive seasons, so expect a close finish once again. 

As well as the sound of fife and drum, racegeors will be able to enjoy the jazz of the Tom Roberts Band on Friday, whilst Saturday offers the foot stompin’ fun of Murphy’s Marbles. 

New Beginnings, a charity that supports retired racehorses, will bring Harry, a thoroughbred that raced at York in the nineties, as well as his pal, Meg the pony, for racegoers to meet. 

Four large screens will cover both racing on the Knavesmire and the major contests from Newmarket on the Saturday. The totepool – backed Punters Panel will offer tips before racing on each day, 

The next phase of the Northern End Development is scheduled to open in May 2015. The construction work on the new Owners & Trainers Entrance, Northern End gates and future Moët Pavilion has begun already so that progress could be made before the onset of a Yorkshire winter. This long term investment does mean there are some short term changes which will affect the October Meeting. Racegoers are advised that the Moët Pavilion, the old pre-parade ring and all gates at the Northern End on stand side (including Owners & Trainers entrance) will be closed for both days of the October Meeting. The main champagne terrace will be open as usual and given the relative size of the attendance expected for the autumn meetings it is able to meet the customer demand.
The viewing area for the parade ring and new pre parade ring viewing will be available, as it has been all season.

 

 

Action on the Flat continues at Catterick next Tuesday (October 7), when racing is set to begin at 2-30 p.m. 

Former course specialist, Skyram, who won several races at Catterick in the early 1980’s, is once again remembered with The Skyram Handicap Stakes, a race for stayers over two miles. Skyram was owned by Lord Hartington (now The Duke of Devonshire), a former senior steward of The Jockey Club and chairman of The British Horseracing Board – now The British Horseracing Authority. 

Tuesday’s programme includes a couple of Nursery handicaps for two-year-olds – one over six furlongs, the other over seven furlongs. The latter is the afternoon’s most valuable race, offering prize money of £12,000. The European Breeders’ Fund put their name to a contest for maiden juveniles, in conjunction with British Stallion Studs, while amateur riders take part in a handicap race for sprinters over five furlongs. 

As usual, the giant screen will enable racegoers to see even more action on the track. The raceday shuttle bus is in operation from Richmond town centre. 

 


 Pontefract’s penultimate meeting of the season next Monday (October 6) features The Phil Bull Trophy Conditions Stakes. The seven-race programme gets underway at 2-10 p.m. 

The longest race of the afternoon, the 28th renewal of The Phil Bull Trophy, a Conditions contest for stayers over two and a quarter miles, is named after one of the legends of the turf, the late Phil Bull, who founded the renowned Timeform Organisation, the respected racing form specialists based in Halifax. The original headquarters of Timeform was at Hemsworth near Pontefract. Mr. Bull, who passed away in 1989, had a long affinity with Pontefract racecourse, it being the first course he visited as a boy and where his famous ‘cerise, white circle’ colours were first carried to victory as an owner. 

The Phil Bull Trophy is the penultimate race in this season’s Pontefract Stayers’ Championship which comprises all of the races for stayers at the course. Going into Monday’s race, New Youmzain has a narrow lead in the competition, and there’s everything to play for as the Championship concludes on October 20 – Pontefract’s final meeting of 2014 – and the owner, trainer and stable staff of the horse accumulating the most number of points will each receive a trophy and £1,000. 

Maiden two-year-olds take part in the opening race, a contest supported by The European Breeders’ Fund in conjunction with British Stallion Studs, while the afternoon’s most valuable race is The £40 totepool Package on 20th October Handicap Stakes – a £15,000 contest for three-year-olds over one mile. 

Annual Badges for the 2015 season at Pontefract will be on sale, while the racecourse’s ‘Postcode Lottery’ £2 promotion for Monday’s meeting concerns those living in the HD (Huddersfield) area. See the racecourse’s website for details. 

The giant screen situated opposite the main stands will enable racegoers to follow all of the action.

 

REDCAR Racecourse stages its most important sporting occasion of the year on Saturday (4 OCTOBER) when over £225,000 will be won by the successful racehorses.

 The eyes of the racing world will be focused on the Tees Valley racecourse – and the cameras of Channel 4 will be present – for one of the most eagerly awaited races for the youngest racehorses in Britain and Ireland. 

The Listed Totepool Two-Year-Old Trophy, raced over three-quarters of a mile, attracts entries from hundreds of horses. But only 23 can take part. 

The race, for two-year-old colts and fillies, will be worth a minimum of £150,000 and the prize is much sought after by racehorse owners and trainers on both sides of the Irish Sea. 

As well as that feature race, there is the tenth running of the Redcar Straight-Mile Championship Final – sponsored by Racing UK – for which horses have been racing to qualify during the spring and summer. 

Completing a trio of top class races, there is the historic Listed Totescoop6  EBF Guisborough Stakes, which is worth £40,000 in prize-money. 

Redcar Racecourse’s general manager Amy Fair said: “This is the day in the year when we really come into the sporting spotlight. 

“We are delighted, as always, to welcome Channel 4 to our racecourse, which means that we will be seen by more than one million viewers across the country.” 

On Saturday 4 October, there are seven horse races starting at 2pm. 

 

www.redcarracing.co.uk and http://twitter.com/#!/redcarracing

 

With 2015 on the horizon, Yorkshire racegoers have the chance to witness possible equine stars of next year on the Flat, with Redcar, York, Pontefract and Doncaster all staging important and informative races for precocious two-year-olds. For Jump Racing fans, this month sees Wetherby’s National Hunt season get underway. Add to the mix, Britain’s richest-ever raceday in the form of Ascot’s QIPCO British Champions’ Day on Saturday, 18th and Europe’s most valuable race, The Prix de l’Arc De Triomphe at Longchamp on Sunday, 5th, the importance and significance of October for racing is evidently clear. 

 Redcar’s biggest day of the season on Saturday, 4th, features one of the richest races in Europe for juveniles – The totepool Two-Year-Old Trophy – a Listed race for youngsters with guaranteed prize money of £150,000. Yorkshire-trained horses have a good record in this valuable contest over the sprint distance of six furlongs; indeed the last four winners have been trained in the county, with Great Habton (Malton)-based Tim Easterby supplying the last two winners in Ventura Mist (last year) and Body And Soul (2012). Bogart (trained by Kevin Ryan at Hambleton near Thirsk) prevailed in 2011, while Ladies Are Forever landed the prize in 2010 for Malton-based Geoff Oldroyd. The Guisborough Stakes – another Listed race – is the chief supporting contest on this special day at Yorkshire’s seaside racecourse, which also includes The Racing UK Straight-Mile Championship Final. There are further meetings this month at Redcar on Friday, 17th and Monday, 27th. 

Another very successful season at York concludes with the two-day October meeting on the Knavesmire – Friday and Saturday, 10th & 11th. It’s ‘Countryside Raceday’ on Friday, while on the Saturday afternoon, sprinters take centre-stage in The Coral Sprint Trophy (a £75,000 Handicap) and leading two-year-olds take part in the Rockingham Stakes – a Listed race named after Lord Rockingham, twice Prime Minister of Britain and member of The York Race Committee.

 The honour of staging Britain’s final Group 1 race of the year, The Racing Post Trophy, on Saturday, 25th, falls as usual to Doncaster. This £200,000 contest for Europe’s leading two-year-olds should attract possible Classic and other big-race contenders for next season. Recent Derby winners, Authorized, Motivator and High Chaparral all won this race as juveniles before going on to Classic success at Epsom the following year. Last season’s winner, Kingston Hill was runner-up in the Derby at Epsom in June and by the time you read this, the colt could have won the Ladbrokes St. Leger Stakes – the final Classic of 2014 at Doncaster in September. The main supporting race on Saturday, The Doncaster Stakes, a Listed race for two-year-olds produced a future Classic winner last year in Night Of Thunder, who went on to win this season’s 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket in May. During the afternoon, the Final of the ‘Best-Dressed Lady’ competition on the Yorkshire racecourses is a highlight, with a stunning parade of the ladies who won their respective competitions on each of the individual Yorkshire racecourses this season. The prizes for the overall winner include a luxury spa weekend for two at the Best Western Premier Mount Pleasant Hotel Doncaster, a £500 fashion voucher courtesy of Yasmine of Bawtry & Epworth and diamond jewellery from lovevintagediamonds.com. This day is the second leg of a two-day fixture at Doncaster, with Town Moor in action on the Friday (24th) 

Pontefract’s 2014 campaign concludes with a couple of Monday meetings – 6th and 20th. The Phil Bull Conditions Stakes, a contest for stayers (which remembers the ‘Sage of Halifax’ – Founder of the Timeform Organisation, the renowned racing form experts) is featured on the first Monday, while the principal race of the final fixture at the West Yorkshire track is the 22nd running of The totepool Silver Tankard Stakes – a Listed race for leading two-year-olds – won last year by Lady Heidi, trained at Middleham by Philip Kirby. 

Racing on the Flat continues at Catterick with a trio of meetings at the North Yorkshire track – Tuesday, 7th, Saturday, 18th and Tuesday, 28th. The totepool Catterick Dash – a valuable Handicap race for sprinters – is the highlight of the Saturday fixture, a day when racegoers attending the meeting will be able to see the action from QIPCO Champions’ Day at Ascot on the giant screen. 

 Wetherby’s 2014/15 season over Jumps begins on Wednesday, 15th – the annual Spinal Research Charity Day, which features The Bobby Renton Handicap Chase – a race which commemorates a former Yorkshire trainer, who trained Freebooter to win the 1950 Grand National from his base near Ripon. 

The first leg of Wetherby’s flagship meeting – the two-day Bet365 Charlie Hall Chase fixture – takes place on Friday, 31st. A pair of Listed races are the highlights on the opening day, with highly-rated young hurdlers lining up in The Weatherbys Hamilton Insurance Wensleydale Juvenile Novices’ Hurdle for three-year-olds (won last year by Royal Irish Hussar from the yard of last season’s champion trainer over Jumps, Nicky Henderson) and The bet365 Handicap Chase – a race over fences which produced a Yorkshire-trained winner last year – Ultimate – from the Malton stable of trainer Brian Ellison.

 

Ripon’s 2014 season comes to a resounding conclusion this Saturday (September 27) with a quality seven-race programme at Yorkshire’s ‘Garden Racecourse’, scheduled to begin at 2-10 p.m. with a contest for maiden two-year-olds supported by The European Breeders’ Fund under the Irish Stallion Farms banner. 

The principal race 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 CHS Vehicles Handicap Stakes (one mile and a half), The Ripon Land Rover Nursery Handicap Stakes (for two-year-olds over one mile) and The SIS Live Handicap Stakes – a contest for sprinters over five furlongs.

Both David Sonia and Lisa McLean have races sponsored by their family and friends as part oF Their respective 40th birthday celebrations.

 Ripon’s permanent giant screen will enable racegoers to follow the action in more detail, while The Ripon Grammar School Band provide the musical entertainment from the bandstand. There’s also a selection of attractions for youngsters in the Course Enclosure – dependent upon the weather – while there are permanent play areas in both the Paddock and Course enclosures.

 Going into this final meeting of the season, David O’Meara, who is based at Nawton near Helmsley, has a clear lead in the race to be Ripon’s top trainer this season, while his stable jockey, Danny Tudhope tops the table in the riders’ category. 

The conclusion of the season coincides with the racecourse winning the Gold Rose Award at the annual ’Yorkshire in Bloom’ Awards held in Harrogate.

 


The action at Pontefract next Thursday (September 25) is set to start at 2-20 p.m. with The British Stallion Studs EBF Strawberry Hill Maiden Stakes, a contest for two-year-olds over six furlongs – the first of the pair of races supported during the afternoon by The European Breeders’ Fund.

The afternoon’s feature race is The Simon Scrope Dalby Screw-Driver Handicap Stakes over one mile and a quarter offering prize money of £20,000. It’s the 22nd running of this race, and for the fifth time, it bears the name of a former chairman of Pontefract racecourse, the late Simon Scrope, who passed away in March 2010. The rest of the race title draws attention to an oil painting of 1826 by the celebrated equine artist, David Dalby of York, who specialised in depicting racing and hunting scenes, along with horse portraiture. This particular painting, which is owned by the race company, shows ‘Screw-Driver’ – owned by Mr. Flintoff Leatham and ridden by Captain W. Healy of the 7th Hussars – winning The Badsworth Cup at Pontefract on March 29 1824. Former Derby and St. Leger-winning rider, Mickael Barzalona partnered Ennistown to victory in last year’s race.

 The normal raceday packages are available to pre-book, while Racing UK subscribers can gain half-price admittance into the Grandstand & Paddock enclosure and discounted entry into the Park Suite on production of their metal badge. 

The racecourse’s ‘Postcode Lottery’ £2 promotion for Thursday’s meeting concerns those living in the Halifax (HX) area. See the racecourse’s website for details. 

The giant screen situated opposite the main stands will enable racegoers to follow all of the action.

 

 

Redcar’s seven-race programme on Wednesday (September 24) is set to begin at 2-10 p.m. with a race for maiden two-year-olds supported by the European Breeders’ Fund in association with British Stallion Studs, 

Juveniles also take part in The Hold Your Christmas Party Here Nursery Handicap Stakes over the straight mile, while sprinters have their opportunity in both The Racing UK iPad App racinguk.com/mobile Handicap Stakes (five furlongs) and The Racing Replay, All Today’s Racing Sky 432 Handicap Stakes (six furlongs). 

The next meeting at Redcar – Saturday, October 4 – is totepool Two-Year-Old Trophy Day, with the big race – a Listed contest for juveniles – offering guaranteed prize money of £150,000. Another Listed race, The totescoop6 EBF Guisborough Stakes, is also featured, along the Final of The Racing UK Straight-Mile Championship Final. 

 The giant screen, situated opposite the main stands, will enable racegoers to see even more action on the track.

 

   

Beverley’s 2014 season comes to an end with a seven-race programme next Tuesday (September 23), when racing is scheduled to start at 2-10 p.m. The afternoon’s principal race is the 15th running of The Eddie & Violet Smith Memorial Conditions Stakes, a £12,000 contest for sprinters over five furlongs, which remembers a brother and sister who enjoyed racing at Beverley. 

The Leconfield Search & Rescue Squadron 50th Anniversary Handicap Stakes over the extended seven furlongs pays tribute to the Squadron and what they have done over the last half-century. It is hoped that one of their helicopters will be at the meeting, and the racecourse wants to know from anyone who has been involved or helped by the team over the years to tell their stories. 

Amateur riders take part in The Brian and Jason Merrington Memorial Handicap Stakes (one mile and a quarter), a race which remembers a former head groundsman at Beverley and his son who also worked at the course.

 A long-standing Beverley racegoer is recognised in The Chris Walker’s 60th Year Racing Here Handicap Stakes, contested over the extended mile. 

The opening race is a contest for maiden two-year-olds supported by The European Breeders’ Fund in association with Irish Stallion Farms. 

The giant screen will be in use helping racegoers to follow all of the action on the track. 

The Beverley Annual Badgeholders Selling Stakes over one mile and a half draws attention to annual membership at the course for 2015, details of which can be obtained by contacting the racecourse on (01482) 867488/882645.

 

 

Catterick’s season on the Flat continues with a seven-race programme on Saturday (September 20), starting at 2-10 p.m. with a contest for maiden two-year-olds supported by The European Breeders’ Fund. It’s the course’s only meeting this month. 

The principal race is The BAPP Group of Companies Handicap Stakes, which constitutes the 2014 Catterick Twelve Furlong Series Final – a £20,000 Handicap contest over one mile and a half. Now in its second year, there have been qualifying races in this Series from when the course’s campaign on the Flat began in April. 

Two-year-olds contest The ETS 30th Anniversary Nursery Handicap Stakes over seven furlongs, supported for the first time by ETS (UK) Ltd., while the same distance applies in The  Pin Point Recruitment Maiden Stakes, supported by the Newcastle-based company who are regular sponsors at Catterick.

 The Tony Gargan Handicap Stakes is a race for three-year-old stayers over almost one mile and three-quarters. 

There’s a selection of attractions for children in the Course Enclosure, such as a bouncy castle, roundabout and face painting, along with an indoor play area, while the giant screen will enable racegoers to see even more action on the track, as well as showing the big race action from Newbury and Ayr (featuring the Ayr Gold Cup). The raceday shuttle bus is in operation from Richmond town centre.

 


 
The European Breeders’ Fund Stallions Breeding Winners Fillies’ Handicap Stakes, a £15,000 sprint contest for fillies and mares over six furlongs, is the feature race on Pontefract’s seven-race programme next Thursday (September 18), which is scheduled to begin at 2-30 p.m.

 The longest race of the afternoon is Round Six of the Pontefract Stayers Championship – a Series which incorporates all eight races of at least two miles in distance at the course this year. Going into Thursday’s race – a Handicap contest over two miles and one furlong – New Youmzain has a narrow lead in the competition with ten points, followed by Beat The Shower, Suprise Vendor and Teak – all on nine points. It promises to be a close battle for the overall honours and at the end of the Series next month, when the owner, trainer and stable staff of the horse accumulating the most number of points – according to places obtained – will each receive a memento and £1,000. It’s the eleventh year the course has hosted this special competition for stayers. 

The afternoon’s concluding race is a sprint handicap contest for apprentice jockeys. 

The racecourse’s ‘Postcode Lottery’ £2 promotion for Thursday’s meeting concerns those living in the HU Hull & District) area. See Pontefract’s website for details. 

 The giant screen situated opposite the main stands will assist racegoers in following all of the action on the track.

 

Beverley’s penultimate meeting of the season takes place next Wednesday (September 17) – Totepool Day – when the seven-race programme on the Westwood is scheduled to start at 2-10 p.m. 

The whole card is supported by Totepool, who along with parent company Betfred, comprise one of the biggest commercial sponsors in British racing. The feature race is a contest for three-year-olds over one mile and a half. 

The afternoon’s final race is part of a national series for apprentice jockeys – The Racing Excellence Apprentice Training Series Classified Stakes, a contest over the extended mile. The series is designed to assist in the development and education of young riders under the auspices of The British Horseracing Authority. The series concludes next month at Doncaster and the Series is led by David Parks. 

Going into this meeting, Malton trainer, Richard Fahey has recorded twelve winners at Beverley this season, closely followed by Mark Johnston (the course’s top trainer for the last five years) with ten winners. Paul Mulrennan with ten winners this term on the Westwood heads the jockeys’ category, followed by David Allan (nine) and Joe Fanning on eight winners. 

This meeting includes a special bonus scheme for owners who are members of The Racehorse Owners Association. It’s a national scheme – in association with The Racing Post – promoting ownership of racehorses, incorporating twelve midweek meetings throughout the UK. There’s a jackpot fund of £10,000 to be distributed on Wednesday to ROA members whose horse or horses win any of the seven races.

 The giant screen will be in use helping racegoers to follow all of the action on the track.

 

 

Thirsk’s 2014 season comes to a conclusion with a seven-race programme next Tuesday (September 16), when racing is scheduled to begin at 2-10 p.m. with a Nursery Handicap contest for two-year-olds. 

One of the afternoon’s feature races is The Constant Security Services Handicap Stakes over seven furlongs supported by the company which provides the security personnel on racedays. 

The awards for the top trainer, jockey and apprentice rider during the season at Thirsk are sponsored by locally-based Green’s Farm Supplies Ltd. and going into this last meeting of the campaign, Richard Fahey, Paul Mulrennan and Jason Hart lead their respective categories. 

Musical entertainment from the bandstand is provided by ‘The Gershwin Gang’, while the giant screen situated opposite the stands, will enable racegoers to follow even more of the action.

 

 

 

Beverley’s 2014 season comes to an end with a seven-race programme next Tuesday (September 23), when racing is scheduled to start at 2-10 p.m. The afternoon’s principal race is the 15th running of The Eddie & Violet Smith Memorial Conditions Stakes, a £12,000 contest for sprinters over five furlongs, which remembers a brother and sister who enjoyed racing at Beverley. 

The Leconfield Search & Rescue Squadron 50th Anniversary Handicap Stakes over the extended seven furlongs pays tribute to the Squadron and what they have done over the last half-century. It is hoped that one of their helicopters will be at the meeting, and the racecourse wants to know from anyone who has been involved or helped by the team over the years to tell their stories. 

Amateur riders take part in The Brian and Jason Merrington Memorial Handicap Stakes (one mile and a quarter), a race which remembers a former head groundsman at Beverley and his son who also worked at the course. 

A long-standing Beverley racegoer is recognised in The Chris Walker’s 60th Year Racing Here Handicap Stakes, contested over the extended mile. 

The opening race is a contest for maiden two-year-olds supported by The European Breeders’ Fund in association with Irish Stallion Farms. 

The giant screen will be in use helping racegoers to follow all of the action on the track. 

The Beverley Annual Badgeholders Selling Stakes over one mile and a half draws attention to annual membership at the course for 2015, details of which can be obtained by contacting the racecourse on (01482) 867488/882645.

 

The four-day St. Leger Festival which begins next Wednesday (September 10) at Doncaster, culminates in the oldest Classic race in the world, The Ladbrokes St. Leger Stakes on the Saturday (September 13). This famous Group 1 contest for top-class three-year-olds was first held at Doncaster in 1776 and is sponsored for the tenth year by leading bookmaker, Ladbrokes. Contested over one mile, six furlongs and 132 yards, the fifth and final Classic of the 2014 season has a record prize fund of £650,000 (an increase of £50,000 over last year) and is part of The QIPCO British Champions Series 

Possible contenders for the big race include Kingston Hill (runner-up in the Investec Derby and the winner of the Group 1 Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster last October), Romsdal (third in the Derby), Snow Sky, Windshear and Hartnell. 

The winning owner will receive the specially-commissioned St. Leger Trophy, depicting the White Rose of Yorkshire; the successful trainer will receive The Dick Hern Trophy – presented in memory of the six-times St. Leger-winning trainer – while the winning jockey will be presented with the traditional embroidered Jockeys’ Cap. 

Also on Ladbrokes St. Leger Day, Doncaster once again hosts an Arabian race on a Classic card in Britain. This is the Group 1 Qatar Racing Equestrian Club International Harwood Stakes, taking the total Prize money for the Festival to over £2 million (and in excess of £1 million on Saturday alone). There’s a 2-00 p.m. start to racing on Wednesday (John Smith’s Opening Day), while the action on both Thursday (DFS Ladies Day) and Friday (Socilaites Electric Cigarettes Doncaster Cup Day) gets underway at 1-40 p.m. Ladbrokes St. Leger Day Saturday begins at 2-05 p.m. 

Racegoers are in for a treat on the opening day, when some of the most popular and successful jockeys from both codes of racing will don the silks one more time in the fifth renewal of the Leger Legends Classified Stakes over the straight mile – sponsored for the fourth time by Clipper Logistics. The race is in aid of two Yorkshire-based charity projects – The Northern Racing College at nearby Rossington Hall and The Injured Jockeys’ Fund, specifically ‘Jack Berry House’- the rehabilitation facility for retired and disabled jockeys which is being constructed in Malton. Former St. Leger-winning jockeys, John Reid and Kevin Darley are set to ride in this special 16-runner race, along with dual Grand National-winning rider, Carl Llewellyn and Cheltenham Gold Cup-winning trainer and jockey, Jim Culloty, who is also a Grand National-winning rider. 

The first day of the Festival, as well as featuring The Clipper Logistics Legends Classified Stakes, includes The John Smith’s Original Scarbrough Stakes (a Listed race for sprinters over five furlongs), The Irish Stallion Farms EBF Conditions Stakes, The Park Hill Hospital Conditions Stakes, The 1stsecuritysolutions.co.uk Nursery Handicap Stakes, The Romero Insurance Brokers Ltd. Handicap Stakes and The Magical Moments On Canvas Handicap Stakes

 

Style and glamour compliment the racing on Thursday with a host of prizes for the ‘Best Dressed Lady’ competition. Judges will be circulating in the County and Grandstand Enclosures prior to racing. Further details can be obtained from: www.doncaster-racecourse.co.uk  The contest is once again supported by DFS – the UK’s leading upholstery manufacturer and retailer based in Doncaster, who will provide the star prize of a trip for two to New York.

 

On the track, the highlights on Thursday are the Group 2 DFS Park Hill Stakes for fillies and mares over the St. Leger distance, The Weatherbys Hamilton Insurance £300,000 Two-Year-Old Stakes and The Japan Racing Association Sceptre Stakes (a Group 3 contest for fillies and mares). The EBF Stallions Breeding Winners Carrie Red Fillies’ Nursery Handicap (two-year-olds), The Ladbrokes Handicap Stakes, The One Call Insurance Fillies’ Handicap Stakes, The DFS Handicap Stakes and The crownhotel-bawtry.com British Stallion Studs EBF Maiden Stakes complete the line-up on Thursday. 

A trio of famous Group 2 races dominate proceedings on Friday. Some of the best stayers in the business will face the starter in The Socialites Electric Cigarettes Doncaster Cup over two and a quarter miles, while juvenile sprinters advertise their credentials in The Polypipe Flying Childers Stakes. Precocious two-year-old fillies have their opportunity for big race success in The John Smith’s Extra Smooth May Hill Stakes. 

Two famous record-breaking steam locomotives built in the railway workshops at Doncaster, ‘The Mallard’ and ‘The Flying Scotsman’ are celebrated on Friday. This year’s renewal of The Ladbrokes Mallard Stakes, a handicap contest over the St. Leger distance, is complimented for the second year by a Listed race for two-year-olds, The Weatherbys Stallion Book Flying Scotsman Stakes –a race won in 2010 as a juvenile by Frankel, who went on to become the highest-rated horse in the world. The Frank Whittle Partnership Classified Stakes and The Coopers Marquees Handicap Stakes are also featured. 

The Ladbrokes St. Leger Stakes takes pride of place on Saturday, and along with the Group 1 Arabian race, a quality programme also features the Group 2 At The Races Champagne Stakes for leading two-year-olds with Classic and big-race aspirations for next year, The OLBG Park Stakes (another valuable Group 2 race), The Ladbrokes Portland (a Handicap for sprinters), The Napoleons Casinos & Restaurants Handicap Stakes, The AgriArgo UK Tractor Challenge Nursery Handicap Stakes and The Harriet De-Vere Powell Handicap Stakes. 

Both The Ladbrokes St. Leger Stakes and The Socialites Electric Cigarettes Doncaster Cup are part of the QIPCO British Champions Series, now in its fourth season, which culminates in QIPCO British Champions Day at Ascot on Saturday, October 18. 

Accompanied children under 18 years of age are admitted free into all enclosures. 

Musical entertainment during the Festival is provided by The New York Jazz Band, Simply Strings and Jumpin’.

 Big screens will enable racegoers to follow all of the action on the track, while a shuttle bus service is operating between the railway station and the racecourse, starting in the morning and returning after the fourth race with a stop off on the way back in the town centre.

 

 

 

There’s fun for all at the annual Press Family Sunday at York Races this weekend (Sunday September 7), including a seven-race thoroughbred card worth over £100,000; featuring the third running of the Betfred Garrowby Stakes, a Listed race for sprinters. Plus, the return of children’s favourite, Peppa Pig, to the Knavesmire.  

This year the only Sunday of the season sees the final chance for young riders to qualify for the Grand Final of the Charles Owen Pony Racing Series, as the track hosts what is effectively, the semi-finals.

 It is a full day out for both the novice and regular racegoer and those under 18 years of age will be admitted free of charge into all enclosures, though the under 16’s will need to be accompanied. Continuing from the previous years is the popular offer of a single admission combining both the Grandstand & Paddock Enclosure with the Course Enclosure for just £12. This will enable racegoers bringing a traditional picnic into the Course Enclosure to enjoy their lunch and then take advantage of the special ‘picnic hamper cloakroom’ and then cross over the track to see the horses close up in the Parade Ring and sample the facilities on the stands side.

 

Also, for this special family meeting, the County Stand dress code is relaxed, with a smart casual being the advice.

 The action on the track begins at 1-00 p.m. with a couple of races, the respective final qualifiers in the 2014 Charles Owen Pony Racing Series, showcasing the talents of the next generation of riders.  

Racing under rules starts at 2-00 p.m. with The Judith Marshall Memorial Stakes – a Nursery Handicap for two-year-olds. Sprinters take part in the afternoon’s feature race, The Betfred Garrowby Stakes, this is the third running of this Listed race which alone offers prize money of £37,000. It will be run over six furlongs, the same distance as The Hanson Springs Stakes –a handicap contest for three-year-old sprinters.  Stayers have their opportunity in The Castles UK Educational & Residential Furniture Stakes (a handicap contest over two miles). The sporting action includes a chance for those in their first season on the track in The Minster Alarms Irish Champions Weekend EBF Maiden Stakes for two-year-olds and for the experienced and so familiar handicappers in The Barkers Garage Stakes – a race over one mile and a quarter. 

The upcoming jockeys are again in the spotlight when they compete in The Coopers Marquees Apprentice Stakes. This race is Round 7 of nine races in the ‘Go Racing in Yorkshire’ Future Stars Apprentice Series – now in its second year – which culminates in a Final at Doncaster in November. Coming into this race, North Yorkshire-based rider, Megan Carberry (42 points) has a clear lead from Joe Doyle, Claire Murray and Alistair Rawlinson, who are all on 24 points. With 18 points for a win, there’s everything to play for. 

The Racing Interactive Zone will offer the chance to ride a virtual racehorse, to try on racing silks, question our experts and enter a colouring competition. Meanwhile, Harry the racehorse is a retired star of the track waiting to meet racegoers. There will also be a demonstration of how to saddle him up.

 For those of all ages, the funfair is back for this meeting. Bouncy castles are also located around the course, along with a wide array of entertainments for the family. There’s also the ever popular face painting.

‘Tommo’ – well-known broadcaster, Derek Thompson will share his knowledge of the sport. Listen out for his racing guide and be ready to say hello and see yourself on the big screens as he roams the stands. 

With just three racedays to go in York’s 2014 season, the competitions for both the Living North Top Jockey at York and the Charles Clinkard 90th Anniversary Top Trainer are gathering pace. The 55th John Smith’s Cup-winning jockey, Andrea Atzeni is ahead on eight winners in the riders’ category, just one head of locally-based rider, Danny Tudhope, who is defending this award. North Yorkshire-based trainer, David O’Meara is seeking to retain his first title at York, having recorded eight winners so far this year on the Knavesmire. 

Three-course Sunday lunches are being served from noon, or you might want to enjoy a fresh sandwich on one of the many lawns; whatever your culinary choice, a great afternoon awaits.

 

 

The annual ‘Ladies Day’ at Thirsk on Saturday (September 6) promises to be stylish and glamorous with an array of fashion prizes to be won in the afternoon’s competitions to find the ‘Best-Dressed Lady’ and ‘Best-Dressed Gentleman’ along with the wearer of the ‘Best Hat’. The seven-race programme – the penultimate meeting of the season at Thirsk – is scheduled to begin at 2-00 p.m. 

 The most valuable race of the afternoon is The Personal Touches Handicap Stakes, a contest for three-year-olds over one mile offering prize money of £15,000, while The Hambleton Cup, a competitive handicap contest over one mile and a half is one of the oldest races in Britain. The origins of the race can be traced back to 1714, when racing took place at the nearby Hambleton racecourse, the forerunner of Thirsk racecourse. Other highlights include The Barkers Of Northallerton Handicap Stakes and The Jenny Roberts Original British Millinery Nursery Handicap Stakes, The European Breeders’ Fund support a couple of races for maiden two-year-olds, while the concluding race is The Christmas Party Nights At Thirsk Racecourse Handicap Stakes.

 The winner of the main ‘Best-Dressed Lady’ competition will receive a £300 gift card to spend in store at Barkers of Northallerton. In addition, the winner will go forward to represent Thirsk in the Grand Final of the ‘Best-Dressed Lady Racegoer in Yorkshire’ competition, held in October at Doncaster racecourse.. It’s the culmination of a special competition linking all the individual ‘Ladies Days’ on the Yorkshire racecourses this summer. She will then have the chance to win a luxury prize for two at the Best Western Premier Mount Pleasant Hotel near Doncaster, along with a £500 fashion voucher from Yasmine of Bawtry and Epworth and a diamond pendant valued at £2,250 courtesy of lovevintagediamonds.com 

There are similar prizes in the ‘Best-Dressed Gentleman’ competition, while the lady adjudged to be wearing the best hat will receive a £150 gift voucher donated by Jenny Roberts Original British Millinery. There’s also a pair of runners-up prizes in all three categories. 

Musical entertainment from the bandstand is provided by ‘Dr. Jazz’; for the children, there’s a playground and bouncy castles. The giant screen, situated opposite the stands, will enable racegoers to follow even more of the action


 

The oldest Classic race in the world, the St. Leger Stakes at Doncaster on Saturday, 13th, is the classy culmination of the four-day Ladbrokes St. Leger Festival on Town Moor which begins on Wednesday, 10th. The 238th running of the fifth and final Classic of the British Flat racing season –a race which was first held in 1776 – is a Group 1 contest over one mile, six furlongs and 132 yards for Europe’s top staying three-year-olds, now offering record prize money of £650,000.

 Last year’s race produced a fourth win in the Classic for Ballydoyle (Ireland) trainer, Aidan O’Brien and a first for his son, Joseph, the rider of the 7/2 Favourite, Leading Light. The other St. Leger winners trained by Aidan O’Brien were Milan (2001), Brian Boru (2003) and Scorpion (2005).

 The Ladbrokes St. Leger Festival is the dominant meeting in the country this month. The action on the opening day, Wednesday, once again features a ‘Leger Legends Race’ supported by Leeds-based Clipper Logistics to raise funds for the north’s first residential and rehabilitation centre for injured and retired jockeys which is due to be in operation Malton in November, while the other beneficiary is The Northern Racing College at Rossington Hall near Doncaster. Former champions in the saddle will be dusting off their breeches once again for these worthy causes.

 The Thursday of the Festival (11th) is Ladies’ Day with quality racing complementing the latest fashions and a ‘Best-Dressed Lady’ competition held during the afternoon.

 Group and Listed races along with competitive handicaps and informative races for maidens make for a fascinating St. Leger Festival. Other highlights include The Scarbrough Stakes on the opening day (Wednesday – John Smith’s Day), The Park Hill Stakes, The Japan Racing Association Sceptre Stakes and The Weatherbys Hamilton Insurance £300,000 two-year-old Stakes (Thursday), The Socialites E-Cigs Doncaster Cup, The Polypipe Flying Childers Stakes and The Barrett Steel May Hill Stakes (Friday, 12th) along with The OLBG Park Stakes and The Champagne Stakes on Ladbrokes St. Leger Day – Saturday, 13th. The second running of The Flying Scotsman Stakes, a Listed race for two-year-olds and The Ladbrokes Mallard Stakes on the Friday draws attention to the pair of famous steam engines built at the railways workshops in Doncaster.

 It’s the annual ‘Ladies Day’ Thirsk  on Saturday, 6th, in association with Barkers of Northallerton and Harrogate-based milliner, Jenny Roberts, The action on the track features a couple of valuable handicap races, including the Hambleton Cup. There will be competitions to find the ‘Best-Dressed Lady’ and the wearer of the best hat. There’s also a ‘Best-Dressed Gentleman’ competition. The season at Thirsk concludes with a fixture on Tuesday, 16th. 

York’s only meeting this month is the annual Press Family Day on Sunday, 7th. There’s a host of attractions for families and young racegoers, including appearances by Peppa Pig. The main race on this Sunday programme on the Knavesmire is the third running of a Listed race, The Garrowby Stakes, a contest for sprinters over six furlongs. For the second time at this fixture, York will host the Finals of the nationwide Charles Owen Pony Racing Series, which is sure to include a few potential future jockeys. 

The season at Beverley finishes with a couple of meetings this month on Wednesday, 17th and Tuesday, 23rd, while Pontefract’s meetingon Thursday, 18th includes a valuable sprint Handicap contest for fillies and mares and the sixth round of The Pontefract Stayers’ Championship. The feature race at the West Yorkshire track the following Thursday (25th), The Dalby Screw-Driver Handicap Stakes honours a 19th Century oil painting by the celebrated artist, David Dalby of York, who specialised in depicting racing and hunting scenes. The 1826 painting, which belongs to the racecourse, shows ‘Screw-Driver’ – owned by Mr. Flintoff Leatham and ridden by Captain W. Healy of the 7th Hussars – winning the Badsworth Cup at Pontefract on March 29th 1824. This race is also run in memory of a former chairman of Pontefract racecourse, Simon Scrope.

 Catterick’s campaign on the Flat continues on Saturday, 20th, a day which includes the Final of The 2014 Catterick Twelve Furlong Series – a Handicap contest offering prize money of £20,000, while Yorkshire’s ‘Seaside Racecourse’, Redcar hosts a couple of meetings this month – Tuesday, 9th and Wednesday, 24th. 

The season at Ripon – Yorkshire’s ‘Garden Racecourse’ – concludes on Saturday, 27th, the principal race being a £30,000 contest for sprinters, The Ripon, Cathedral City of the Dales Handicap Stakes.

 

 

 


Speed is the theme of racing at Beverley this Saturday (August 30), with leading sprinters taking part in the afternoon’s feature race, The Betfred Beverley Bullet Sprint Stakes. 

Racing begins at 1-55 p.m., although prior to the opening race, young riders are featured in a couple of pony races starting at one o’clock, as part of a national series of pony races throughout the UK, The Charles Owen Series under the auspices of The Pony Racing Authority.

 Saturday’s principal race is the eleventh renewal of The Betfred Beverley Bullet Sprint Stakes, a Listed race for sprinters over the minimum distance of five furlongs, offering prize money of £40,000. Last year’s winner, Stepper Point has distinguished himself in Group 1 races this summer, finishing runner-up to Sole power in both The King’s Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot in June and last week’s Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes at York. Previous winners of this race include Borderlescott and Tangerine Trees – both former winners of the ‘Yorkshire Horse of the Year’ award.

 Three-year-olds take part in The Betfred ‘Racing’s Biggest Supporter’ Handicap Stakes, a £20,000 contest over one mile and a quarter. Saturday’s opening race, The EBF George Kilburn Memorial Maiden Stakes, a contest for two-year-old fillies, remembers a former Director of Beverley racecourse, while apprentice jockeys take part in the afternoon’s concluding race. 

There are funfair rides for youngsters in the Course enclosure. 

The giant screen will be in use helping racegoers to follow all of the action.

 

 Thirsk’s ‘Pirates Family Day’ this Friday (August 29), includes a variety of attractions for young racegoers in the Family Enclosure such as an inflatable ‘Pirate’s Ship’, a Captain Jack Sparrow look-a-like and playground. As usual, accompanied children under 18 years of age are admitted free of charge into all enclosures. 

 The Paradise Steel Band provides the musical entertainment during the afternoon, while the giant screen, situated opposite the stands, will enable racegoers to follow even more of the action on the track.

Racing on Friday is scheduled to begin at 2-10 p.m. and the seven-race programme features The Theakston Lightfoot Handicap Stakes for sprinters over six furlongs and The JW 4×4 Northallerton Handicap Stakes over seven furlongs. The European Breeders’ Fund support a contest for maiden two-year-olds over one mile and stayers have their opportunity in The A For Agency Handicap Stakes over two miles –a race supported by the West Yorkshire-based marketing agency.

 


Catterick’s Racing Welfare Family Day next Wednesday (August 27) is scheduled to start at 2-10 p.m. and at the conclusion of racing, there’s camel racing on the track as part of the fund-raising activities for Racing Welfare – the charity which provides help for stable staff in British Racing. The riders in the camel race can be sponsored; they include David O’Meara, Ben Haslam, Niall Hannitty, Brian Hughes, Tony Kelly, Micky Hammond, Paul Lodge and Debbie Bamford. 

There are seven races under Rules, including a qualifying race in the 2014 Catterick Twelve Furlong Series; the £20,000 Final of this handicap series takes place next month. Three-year-olds take part in a handicap race over seven furlongs supported by The Nag’s Head at Pickhill. 

There’s a selection of attractions for youngsters in the Course Enclosure, such as bouncy castles, roundabouts, face painting and glitter tattoos while there are vouchers for ice creams (one voucher per child) while stocks last! As usual, accompanied children under 18 years of age are admitted free of charge. There’s also an indoor play area in the Course Enclosure. 

Musical entertainment during the afternoon is provided by local band, ‘Trio Gitan’, while the giant screen will enable racegoers to see all of the action on the track. The raceday shuttle bus is in operation from Richmond town centre.

 

Ripon’s traditional Bank Holiday Meeting on Monday and Tuesday (August 25 & 26) is set to feature some of the major races of the year at Yorkshire’s ‘Garden Racecourse’. There are seven races on both days. 

Bank Holiday Monday’s programme begins at 2-25 p.m. with the highlight being The Ripon Champion Two-Years-Old Trophy 2014 – the only Listed race staged at Ripon. This £30,000 contest for precocious juveniles over six furlongs is supported by The European Breeders’ Fund under the Irish Stallion Farms banner. The race was won last year by Supplicant, trained at Malton by Richard Fahey. The colt went on to win the Group 2 Mill Reef Stakes at Newbury. 

The Ripon Rowels Handicap Stakes (a £20,000 contest over one mile) is the main supporting race, while The Billy Nevett Memorial Handicap Stakes, a race for three-year-old sprinters, commemorates a former top northern jockey, who rode three wartime Derby winners, including Dante in 1945 – the last northern-trained horse to win the Classic. In a long and distinguished career as a jockey, Billy Nevett rode 2,068 winners between 1924 and 1956, recording his 2,000th winner at a Ripon meeting in 1955. He passed away in 1992, aged 86. 

The concluding race on Monday is the penultimate contest in The Betfair Novice Flat Amateur Riders’ Series.

 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 21 Regiment Royal Engineers Sapper Conditions Stakes over five furlongs. This race is named in honour of the Ripon-based 21 Regiment Royal Engineers, members of which are making their annual visit to their local racecourse. 

Ripon’s permanent giant screen will enable racegoers to have an even closer view of the action on the track. There’s musical entertainment from the bandstand on Bank Holiday Monday by The Tom Roberts Jazz Band, and there’s a selection of attractions for children in the Course Enclosure, such as bouncy castles, face-painting, an inflatable assault course, balloon modelling, along animals from the locally-based Riggamoor Reindeer Farm. There are designated play areas for youngsters, and as usual, children under 18 years of age will be admitted free of charge into all enclosures.

 

 

Beverley’s annual August Bank Holiday Sunday Meeting takes place this weekend (August 24), with a host of attractions for young racegoers in the Course Enclosure, provided as usual (for a nominal fee) by The Beverley Lions, along with Ferret racing. 

Adults are catered for with a combined Folk Festival (‘live’ music between racing from various bands on the Lavender Lawn) The Wold Top Beer Festival, offering a selection of over 30 hand-pulled real ales in the Minster Bar. 

Racing on Sunday is scheduled to begin at 2-20 p.m. with The John Jenkins Memorial Claiming Stakes, a race which commemorates a local vet who was a member of the racecourse for many years. This is the 14th year a race has been held in his memory. 

The Constant Security Handicap Stakes (a contest for three-year-olds over the extended mile) and The R & R Country Stores Nursery Handicap Stakes for two-year-olds over five furlongs are featured, while the Final Round of the Beverley Middle Distance Series (now in its fourth year) is a Handicap contest over one mile and a half. 

The players of Old Crossleyans Rugby Club of Halifax make their annual visit to Beverley to support a contest for maiden two-year-olds in conjunction with The European Breeders’ Fund. It’s the club’s 90th anniversary year. 

Three-year-olds have their opportunity in The Beverley Lions Handicap Stakes (five furlongs) and The Malton Marquees Supporting Jack Berry House Handicap Stakes (one mile and a quarter). The latter race involves the Staintondale Hunt presenting a cheque in support of Jack Berry House – the state-of-the-art jockeys’ rehabilitation centre which is being constructed in Malton. 

When racing has concluded, there’s a special charity race by stable staff attached to Malton trainers – The Betfair Malton Stable Staff Sprint – to raise funds for The Injured Jockeys’ Fund. The race also draws attention to the Malton Stables Open Day the following Sunday (August 31) 

The giant screen will be in use helping racegoers to follow all of the action.

 

So successful is Ladies’ Day in the summer that Redcar Racecourse hosts around glamorous occasion – a Ladies and Gents’ Evening.
 
Alongside the horse racing on Saturday (23 AUGUST), there are ‘best dressed’ competitions to enter, a fun casino, and free photo-booth.
 
As during Ladies’ Day, there are major prizes for the ‘best dressed’ race-goers. The judges mingle with the crowds, so everyone is in with a chance of winning.
 
  • The ‘best dressed lady’ receives a Swarovski pendant and earrings from Market Cross Jewellers, a bespoke fascinator/hat from Chic Hats and a cut & blow dry voucher and gift pack from Orange Kerr Hair & Beauty. 
  • The ‘best dressed gent’ wins a £400 men’s suit, shirt and tie from Middlesbrough’s Bakers Tailoring and a Oakley sunglasses from Market Cross Jewellers.
  • The ‘best dressed couple’ get a Ladies’ Boss watch and perfume and Gent’s Boss watch and cufflinks from Market Cross Jewellers, plus a photo shoot, 25 images on disk and a A4 print from Eastwood Photography.
 
Judging of the competitions will take place after the third, fourth and fifth races.
 
Redcar Racecourse’s general manager Amy Fair said: “We have wonderful prizes which have been kindly and generously donated by local shops and businesses. It gives a great incentive for all our visitors to dress to impress so that they can be in with a chance of winning.”
 
The racecourse’s website (www.redcarracing.co.uk) offers the convenience of online purchasing of tickets for all racing days. There is also a guide to where to eat and drink at the racecourse – and discount vouchers can be downloaded.
 
Redcar’s ‘Course Enclosure’ – which offers a café, bar and picnic area – costs just £5 for adults and £4 for students and pensioners on Saturday. The Grandstand Enclosure is £15 admission (£12 students and pensioners). There are also value-for-money admission packages on offer. Accompanied children aged under 18 are admitted free of charge.
 
Racing is between 5.30pm and 8pm, with admission gates open at 3pm. Racing from the afternoon meetings at York, Newmarket and Goodwood will be shown, with the Tote accepting bets.
 
More information at:


With record prize money of over £3.5 million, the Welcome to Yorkshire Ebor Festival looks set to attract the very best of thoroughbreds from Britain, Ireland, Europe and, for the first time, North America, to the Knavesmire for York’s flagship meeting, over four spectacular days of racing action from Wednesday 20th to Saturday 23rd August. The stellar racing action forms the centerpiece of a meeting brimming with top quality Yorkshire food, fashion and hospitality. 

The richest race ever staged at York will be the Group One Juddmonte International, the £800,000 showpiece of the opening day when Australia, the impressive English and Irish Derby winner from the powerful Ballydoyle stable of Aidan O’Brien, looks set to take on The Grey Gatsby, the winner of the Betfred Dante and French Derby, from his own generation and a host of world – class older horses who have dominated the global middle distance category round the world. Locally trained by Kevin Ryan, The Grey Gatsby, instantly identifiable by name and nature, is hoping to become the first Yorkshire horse to win this prestigious contest. 

On all four days, standside racegoers will be able to visit the Ebor Fashion Lawn, set in the picturesque surroundings of the former pre parade ring. Exquisitely designed by Rebecca Marriott, whose credits include The Isle of Wight Festival and press launches for Illamasqua, it comes complete with a catwalk encased in climbing white roses and lit by lanterns. A panel of judges will cast an expert eye over the preparations and purchases before them, ready to decide the winner of the “Best Dressed Racegoer" and that is said with care, as it could be one of the boys!  The daily winner on Ladies Day (Thursday 21 August) will also be crowned ‘Best Dressed Festival Racegoer’, and will win a short break for two to the Marriott Hotel in Dubai. With special prizes for best dressed children and Yvette Jelfs hats on offer for the smartest headgear of each day, it promises to bring a little vintage magic to the fashion that has always been part of the festival. 

Appropriately for Ladies Day on Thursday, the action on the track will see the best fillies and mares come to York. The star filly of the season, Taghrooda, will be hoping to add the Group One Darley Yorkshire Oaks to her Epsom Oaks and King George V1 and Queen Elizabeth Stakes triumphs. Regular rider, Paul Hanagan, is a former champion jockey, both nationally and on the Knavesmire, so the prospect of Group One success is speeding his race to recover from injury. 

In terms of juvenile fillies, Thursday’s £150,000 Pinsent Masons Lowther Stakes looks set to attract top quality two year olds including previous York winner, Patience Alexander , who could re-oppose Richard Hannon’s, Tiggy Wiggy.  

The fastest and possibly most fascinating race of the week looks set to be Friday’s Group One Coolmore Nunthorpe when a field of twenty will hurtle down the five furlong straight seeking to settle the debate about who is the top sprinter in the country, as well as claiming the majority of the £265,000 prize money. It might be Europe’s leading sprinter over the minimum distance, Sole Power, who is likely to be shorter than the 100-1 odds when he won this race four years ago. A fascinating entry is Wesley Ward’s Undrafted, who is bidding to be the first US based horse to win the race. Owned by Wes Welker, who is the star wide receiver for the Denver Broncos, the race looks set to shape up as a clash of sporting celebrities with both Moviesta, owned by Harry Redknapp, and Hoof It, part owned by Lee Westwood, joining the who’s who of the sprinting division. 

From sprinters to stayers, Friday’s £150,000 Weatherbys Hamilton Insurance Lonsdale Cup over the two miles looks set for a return of Her Majesty The Queen’s Gold Cup winning filly, Estimate, in another race which will help define the champions of this season.

 York continues to invest in facilities and work continues apace on the £10m Northern End Development that is transforming this section of the racecourse for horses, horsemen and racegoers. The new pre-parade ring, wash down area and veterinary facilities were introduced to great acclaim in May 2014. Winning connections of the 25 races during the meeting will be able to celebrate in the newly opened rotunda building, a fabulous space in an unrivalled location. Work continues on the new two storey weighing room building adjacent to the pre-parade ring and with the roof, walls and windows now complete; the spectacular nature of this landmark building is starting to be revealed, ahead of its opening in May 2015.  Bookings for the fine dining Parade Ring Restaurant on the first floor of the future Weighing Room are already being taken for the 2015 festival racedays. 

There is horsepower of a different nature on display on the Weighing Room Lawn as the latest Maserati will be on show courtesy of JCT600, who are sponsoring the top jockey title at York. A reported six vehicles have already been sold to racegoers so far this season. Expect to see a host of world class jockeys competing for top honours at York, the field is currently led by Danny Tudhope on countback from Andrea Atzeni, though former champion Ryan Moore is just one behind, all three have some strong chances to add to their tally. 

The global nature of the top quality competition is reflected with the three Group Ones all being part of the Breeders Cup Challenge Series and the Juddmonte International and Darley Yorkshire Oaks attracting huge bonuses for the winner to go to race in Japan. The Emirates Melbourne Cup will be on display on the Friday.

 The three Group Ones and the Group Two Weatherbys Hamilton Insurance Lonsdale Cup form part of the British Champions Series which culminates at the richest day of racing in this country, Qipco British Champions Day on Saturday 18 October. Additionally, for the first time, winning and placed connections of Thursday’s £50,000 Clipper Logistics Stakes over a mile qualify for the new £250,000 Balmoral Handicap on the championship day hosted for the sport at Ascot. The support of Qipco is prevalent on all four days; with the BCS racemakers in attendance to help guide less experienced visitors around the racecourse and share their knowledge. Moreover, as the final race of the Festival will once again be the £40,000 Qipco Future Stars Apprentice Race. Part of a three race initiative which started at Glorious Goodwood and ends at Newmarket in the autumn, it intends to focus on the rising talents in the jockey ranks. 

All races at the Festival will have speed tracking equipment attached to runners to allow an instant relay of speed and position information to racegoers on the four giant screens around the course. In addition, the Official Race Times will be displayed as they happen on a large digital stopwatch positioned by the winning post.

 Saturday’s race programme sees York’s most famous and fiercely contested race, the Betfred Ebor. The richest flat handicap in Europe at £265,000 looks set to be a thriller with Sir Mark Prescott’s, Pallasator, looking to land another nationwide gamble. The £200,000 Group 2 Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Gimcrack Stakes is the richest race of its type, so is another landmark juvenile contest. Fascinating entries abound for this race steeped in history and prestige including the US trained, Royal Ascot winner, Hootenanny.  

Broadcast partners Channel 4 Racing, Racing UK, TurfTV and GBI Racing will be covering the action and transmitting the event to over 80 countries around the world. Clare Balding will front the four days of Channel 4 coverage which will include a fascinating “Graham Bell Ski Sunday” style course ride by former top jockey John Reid. Racing UK has deployed an aerial drone camera to capture fascinating images of the track from above. Leading jump jockey, Ruby Walsh, will offer an insight as he joins Racing UK’s presenting team on Thursday in a week with more cameras and press accreditation than ever before.

 Away from the track, a brigade of some 80 chefs, backed by a wider raceday team of over two thousand staff, will provide the welcome, services and treats that come with a major sporting event. Seafood will be delivered from the Yorkshire coast every morning including 2,000 crab, joining Dales lamb and 3,000 homemade beefburgers, Hawes cheeses, 6,000 fresh baked fruit scones and locally made diary ice cream on the various menus. In celebration of that local food connection, Royal Opera House set designer, Caitlin Jones, will create a sculpture made from fresh food. Past creations have included a horse, jockey and even a bicycle, details of one of the most photographed aspects of the week will be revealed nearer to the day. 

Whether it is to show off their fashion or send pictures of the ice sculptures and chocolate fountains in the main restaurants, or simply to capture the feel good factor, racegoers will be able to use the free Wi-Fi service installed at the track this year by local tech firm, York Data Services. 

Those seeking musical entertainment will have their choice, as Yorkshire brass bands and jazz bands perform on the weighing room lawn and Murphies Marbles play their own blend of Irish foot stomping, good time tunes. In a new initiative this season, up and coming local bands will play on into the evening as racegoers have a chance to enjoy their bottle of Mercier champagne for £31.50. 

William Derby, Chief Executive and Clerk of the Course concluded, “The Welcome to Yorkshire Ebor Festival is simply the highlight of our year. With the new development, the record investment in prize money, the stellar entries and all the new initiatives and innovations, this year looks set to be a landmark event of top quality racing action as well as a tremendous social and fashion event. I very much hope racegoers, punters and viewers will enjoy the feast on offer.”

 


Thirsk’s James Herriot ‘All Creatures Great & Small’ Family Day Meeting on Monday afternoon (August 18) is a seven-race programme scheduled to begin at 2-15 p.m. with a race for maiden two-year-olds supported by The European Breeders’ Fund, one of two races the EBF support during the afternoon.

 There’s a variety of attractions for young racegoers to celebrate the close connection with James Herriot in Thirsk including a mini petting farm, pony rides and bouncy castles in the Family Enclosure. Also, former Grand National rider, Carrie Ford will be attending helping youngsters master the mechanical horse! The ‘Gershin Gang’ provide the musical entertainment from the Paddock Enclosure bandstand. 

The feature races are The herriotworld.com Handicap Stakes over one mile (supported by The Herriot Country Tourism Group),  The Racing UK Anywhere Available Now Handicap Stakes (one mile and a half), while sprinters take part in The Download The New Racing UK iPad  App Handicap Stakes over five furlongs. 

 The giant screen, situated opposite the stands, will enable racegoers to follow even more of the action on the track.

 

 

The European Breeders’ Fund Highfield Farm Flying Fillies’ Stakes – the fourth of Pontefract’s quintet of Listed races during the season – tops a quality seven-race programme this Sunday (August 17), beginning at 2-15 p.m. It’s Pontefract’s third and final Sunday fixture of 2014 and there’s a host of attractions for young racegoers from when the gates open at 11-30 a.m., and as usual, accompanied children under 16 years of age are admitted free into all enclosures. 

First held in 1999, The Flying Fillies’ Stakes – a race for fillies and mares over the sprint distance of six furlongs – offers prize money of £50,000 and is once again supported by The European Breeders’ Fund in conjunction with Highfield Farm Stud of Lancashire, owned by leading racehorse owners, David and Emma Armstrong. Artistic Jewel (trained at Lichfield by Ed McMahon) won last year’s race and was then runner-up by a nose in a Group 3 race at the Curragh in Ireland. This race is the third most valuable contest in the EBF calendar – the top two being at York and Newmarket.

 Maiden two-year-olds take part the opening race, The British Stallion Studs EBF Trevor Woods Memorial Maiden Stakes, while Nova Display Ltd. of Peckfield Business Park sponsor once again at this meeting. They supply bespoke services to shops and the retail trade and put their name to the final race, a handicap contest for sprinters over six furlongs.

  Stayers are in action in the longest race of the afternoon, The St. John Ambulance Handicap Stakes over two miles and one furlong. This race is the fifth of the eight races which comprise this season’s Pontefract Stayers’ Championship, a competition which is led by New Youmzain, closely followed by Suprise Vendor and Teak.

  Also featured are a couple of races supported by totepool (a Handicap contest over one mile and a half, along with a contest for maidens over one mile), while The CGC Events For Conference & Banqueting Handicap Stakes is a race for three-year-olds over one mile. 

The family attractions include a children’s fun-fair, along with face-painting and free ice-creams for children (while stocks last!). There’s also a crèche facility and a ‘Hunt the Golden Horseshoe’ competition. In addition, there are activity packs and racecards for children and the opportunity of going on a bus trip to see the start of the sprint races. Musical entertainment is provided by The Yorkshire Volunteers Band. 

There are pony rides in the Picnic enclosure, and as this is ‘Flying Fillies Family Sunday’, there’s a ‘Mum’s Race’ to crown our own ‘Flying Filly’! Also, this meeting celebrates and recognises speedy women in sport, and they’ll be a number of posters situated around the racecourse depicting successful female athletes – both human and equine. 

The giant screen situated opposite the main stands will assist racegoers in following all of the action on the track.

 

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 16) – the richest raceday of the season at Yorkshire’s ‘Garden Racecourse’ with total prize money of £144,000 up for grabs. For the third 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 21 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, Baccarat (trained at Malton by Richard Fahey) has gone on the claim The Wokingham Stakes – a Heritage Handicap for sprinters – at Royal Ascot this year.

 The successful owner in Saturday’s big race will receive a silver trophy depicting Ripon’s Patron Saint, St. Wilfrid, mounted on horseback. 

 Racing on Saturday begins at 2-15 p.m. with a race for maiden two-year-olds – The RiponBET Place 6 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. 

Musical entertainment from 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.

 

 

To celebrate Doncaster’s last meeting before next month’s prestigious four-day Ladbrokes St. Leger Festival, this Saturday’s meeting on Town Moor (August 16) features the Brit Awards and internationally-acclaimed singer, James Blunt ‘live’ on stage at the conclusion of racing.

 Blunt has recently released his fourth studio album, ‘Moon Landing’ and will be performing with his band on Town Moor. There are special ticket prices for the racing and concert and children under 18 do not receive free admission. The Family Enclosure will not be open to allow room for the stage. Bookings can be made via the racecourse’s website – www.doncaster-racecourse.co.uk 

Racing begins at 2-30 p.m. and all seven races are supported by Betfred, one of the principal sponsors in British racing, supporting many well-known races, such as The Cheltenham Gold Cup and The Betfred Ebor Handicap at York. Saturday’s feature race is The Betfred Bingo Handicap Stakes, a £20,000 contest over seven furlongs. 

The giant screen, situated opposite the main stands will enable racegoers to see all of the action. A shuttle bus service will be in operation from the railway station.

 

  Glamour and style combine with racing at Catterick this Friday evening (August 15) as the course’s annual ‘Ladies Evening’ begins at 5-40 p.m. Gates open at 3-40 p.m. and the first 100 ladies receive a complimentary glass of fizz. 

There are competitions to find the ‘Best Dressed Lady’ competition and the wearer of the ‘Best Hat’ during the evening. There’s an overnight stay at the locally-renowned Black Bull Inn at Moulton for the ‘best-Dressed Lady’, while the first three in the competition each receive a voucher from ‘Be Premiere Hair’ salon of Darlington. The wearer of the ‘Best Hat’ will receive a half-day spa package from Rudding Park Hotel & Spa near Harrogate, while ‘Oops A Daisy’ Florists of Colburn provide flowers for the winners during the evening. 

The ‘Best-Dressed Lady’ competition winner will go forward to represent Catterick in the Grand Final of the ‘Best Dressed Lady Racegoer in Yorkshire’ competition, held in October at Doncaster racecourse. It’s the culmination of a special competition linking all the individual ‘Ladies Days’ on the Yorkshire racecourses this summer. She will then have the chance to win a luxury prize for two at the Best Western Premier Mount Pleasant Hotel near Doncaster, along with a £500 fashion voucher from Yasmine of Bawtry and Epworth and a diamond pendant valued at £2,250 courtesy of lovevintagediamonds.com

 For the fifth year at this meeting, Newcastle-based Pin Point Recruitment sponsor the opening race of the evening, a middle-distance handicap contest for amateur riders 

There’s ‘live’ music during the evening provided by local band, ‘Trio Gitan’. As usual, the giant screen will enable racegoers to see all of the action on the track and there’s a selection of attractions for youngsters in the Course Enclosure, such as face painting, bouncy castle and roundabout, along with the indoor play area.

 The raceday shuttle bus is in operation from Richmond town centre.

 


Fashion and finery combine in the social highlight of the season in East Yorkshire, The Journal Ladies’ Day at Beverley Racecourse, held in conjunction with St. Stephen’s Shopping Centre in Hull. 

Journal Ladies Day is the first leg of a two-day meeting on the Westwood (Wednesday, August 13), and continues on Thursday (August 14), with action both on and off the track. 

Wednesday’s seven-race programme begins at 2-00 p.m. with The Journal Classified Claiming Stakes. Also featured from the Mail News & Media stable are The Hull Daily Mail/British Stallion Studs EBF Maiden Stakes, The St. Stephen’s Maiden Auction Stakes, The Incentive FM Handicap Stakes and The ‘Woody’ Memorial Handicap Stakes. 

Rawfield UK Ltd., building contractors of Hornsea, return once more to support a contest for sprinters over five furlongs, with Paragon Data, while The Bridge McFarland Solicitors Handicap Stakes is held over a mile and a quarter – the most valuable race of the afternoon. 

The Fashion Marquee in the centre of the course once again hosts a selection of fashion shows on the catwalk, along with beauty demonstrations and shopping opportunities. 

Throughout the day, judges will be scouring the racecourse in search of contestants for the titles of Best Dressed Lady, Best Dressed Gentleman and Best Hat, along with Best Shoe and Hair prizes. 

The lucky winner of this year’s Mumm Champagne Best Dressed Lady competition will pick up a raft of prizes – including a gold pendant on a gold chain inset with a diamond from Sculpture To Wear Jewellery, a magnum of Mumm Champagne and a Spa day from De Lacy. The Best Hat prize is supported by whatahat.co.uk, while the Best-Dressed Gentleman competition is supported by De Lacy. In addition, there are prizes for the ‘Best Shoes’ (sponsored by Schuh) and a ‘Best Hair’ competition supported by Alexanders.

 The winner of the Best Dressed Lady competition will represent Beverley in the Grand Final of ‘Go Racing in Yorkshire Best Dressed Lady for 2014’, staged at Doncaster on Racing Post Trophy Day, Saturday, October 25. 

There are also seven races on Thursday, starting at 2-30 p.m. The principal race is The Sculpture To Wear Equestrian Jewellery Handicap Stakes (a contest for stayers over two miles), while also featured are The Beverley Golf Club Fillies’ Handicap Stakes and The Yorkshire Air Ambulance Nursery Handicap Stakes for two-year-olds. The afternoon’s final race is The White Rose Saddlery Amateur Riders’ Handicap Stakes. 

The giant screen situated opposite the stands, will enable racegoers to see even more of the action on the track.

 

Monday Blues Evening’ at Thirsk next Monday (August 11) is a seven-race programme which gets underway at 5-25 p.m. 

There’s musical entertainment throughout the evening on the bandstand by a Blues and 60’s band, and the course’s final evening meeting of the season begins with The Betfair Novice Flat Amateur Riders Handicap Stakes, a contest over two miles which is part of a series for novice amateur riders supported by leading betting exchange, Betfair, which culminates in a Final at Carlisle later this month. 

The Market Cross Jewellers Handicap Stakes is a race for three-year-old sprinters over five furlongs, while The Calverts Carpets Handicap Stakes is a contest for three-year-olds over a mile.  

The giant screen, situated opposite the stands, will enable racegoers to follow even more of the action on the track and the children’s playground in the Family Enclosure will be in use.

 

Fashion and racing combine at Pontefract’s annual Ladies’ Day on Wednesday (August 6); a seven-race programme which begins at 2-10 p.m. with a handicap contest for gentleman amateur riders, a race supported by Richard Kendall Estate Agent to celebrate the opening a new office in Pontefract. 

There’s a free buttonhole and glass of bubbly for the first 500 ladies into the Premier Enclosure, while bookings are being taken for the various Ladies Day packages. 

The feature race of the afternoon is The tiesplanet.com Ladies Love Guys In Ties Handicap Stakes, a contest over one mile and a half offering prize money of £15,000. Three-year-old sprinters take part in The Keith Hammill Memorial Handicap Stakes over six furlongs. Keith’s son, Richard, is the assistant manager and clerk of the course at Pontefract. Two-year-olds are catered for in The Friends Of Francis Hamilton Memorial Maiden Stakes, a race also supported by The European Breeders’ Fund, while The Jayne & Steve Robinson – Your Local Bookmaker Handicap Stakes is a race for three-year-olds over one mile. 

This season’s renewal of The Chaplins Club Handicap Stakes (five furlongs) remembers one of the north’s most remarkable sprinters, whose victory at this equivalent meeting in 1988 was incredibly his seventh win in 18 days and his second in less than 24 hours, having been successful at Ayr the previous evening! Trained at Stillington by the late David Chapman, Chaplins Club carried the colours of Peter Savill, former chairman of the then British Horseracing Board, and who provided a challenge trophy – depicting Charlie Chaplin – for the race.

‘Golden Oldies’ have their opportunity in The Matty Bown Veterans Handicap Stakes – a contest over one mile for six-year-olds and upwards. This race remembers a former employee of the racecourse, who worked at Pontefract before, during and after the Second World War. 

There’s a Best-Dressed Lady competition during the afternoon, with prizes to be won including a Spa break for two at Titanic Spa Huddersfield, along with dinner, bed & breakfast at Pennine Manor for the winner. A VIP trip to Napoleon’s Casino in Leeds and a champagne day out at a Pontefract race meeting are also up for grabs, while the winner of the Best Hat competition receives a Hugo Boss Watch and a perfume set courtesy of tiesplanet.com. Each finalist receives a selection of prizes. The Best-Dressed Lady competition is held in conjunction with Capital FM and JoJo from the station’s Breakfast Show will be checking out the latest fashions on display. 

Wednesday’s winner will also have automatic entry into the Grand Final of the ‘Best-Dressed Lady Racegoer in Yorkshire’ competition, held at Doncaster racecourse in October, which is the culmination of a special competition linking the individual ‘Ladies Days’ on the Yorkshire racecourses this year. She will then have the chance to win a luxury spa weekend for two at the Best Western Premier Mount Pleasant Hotel near Doncaster, along with a £500 fashion voucher from Yasmine of Bawtry and Epworth and a diamond pendant valued at £2,250 courtesy of lovevintagediamonds.com. 

The giant screen, situated opposite the main stands will assist racegoers in following all of the action.

 


Catterick’s annual Family Raceday takes place on Tuesday (August 5), with a variety of attractions in the Course Enclosure to keep youngsters amused, including performances by The National Festival Circus, bouncy castles, face painting and a roundabout. There are vouchers for ice-creams for youngsters while stocks last! As usual, accompanied children under 18 are admitted free of charge into the racecourse. 

There’s also a parachute display during the afternoon by ‘The Tigers’ of The Prince of Wales’s Royal Regiment, while BFBS Radio will be in attendance. 

The seven-race programme is scheduled to begin at 2-15 p.m. and is supported by Betfred, a leading sponsor in British racing. The feature race is The Betfred Exclusive Competitions On Facebook Handicap Stakes – a contest for stayers over one mile and three-quarters. 

Musical entertainment is provided by ‘Trio Gitan’.  

As usual, the giant screen will be in use, while there’s an indoor play area for youngsters in the Course Enclosure. The raceday shuttle bus is in operation from Richmond town centre.

 

 

Ripon’s popular annual ‘Children’s Day’ Meeting takes place on Monday (August 4), followed by an evening programme on Tuesday (August 5), with racing set to begin at 2-00 p.m. and 6-15 p.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! As usual at Ripon, accompanied children under 18 years of age are admitted free of charge into all enclosures and there are designated play areas for children. 

The Ripon Remembers The Great War Handicap Stakes (one mile and a quarter) draws attention to the fact that there was a race meeting at Ripon on 4 August 1914 – the day war was officially declared. Two race titles, The Studley Stakes and The City Welter Stakes are the same race titles at that meeting of a century ago. 

Members of local regiments will be at Ripon on Monday to commemorate the centenary of the start of The First World War. 

Monday’s feature races are The Weatherbys Stallion Book Summer Sprint Trophy Handicap Stakes over six furlongs and a race for maiden two-year-old fillies supported by The European Breeders’ Fund. 

On Tuesday evening, the feature race is the third 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, Chaplins 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 Constant Security Services Nursery Handicap Stakes (two-year-olds over five furlongs) and The Washroom Company Handicap Stakes (a contest for three-year-olds over one mile and a quarter) 

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

 


 

The annual UNISON Raceday at Doncaster takes place this Saturday (August 2), with the seven-race programme – which begins at 2-15 p.m. – supported entirely by the public service union, UNISON. 

The UNISON Defending Our NHS Handicap Stakes is the feature race of the afternoon, a £20,000 contest over the extended mile and a quarter. 

Other highlights include The UNISON defending Public Services Conditions Stakes (a £13,000 race for sprinters over six furlongs), The UNISON & UIA insurance Handicap Stakes and The Thompsons Solicitors Acting For UNISON Members Handicap Stakes.

 At the conclusion of racing, there’s live Motown and Soul music from ‘The Curvettes’ in the main stand. 

The giant screen, situated opposite the main stands will enable racegoers to see all of the action.

 

 

The two-day Thirsk Summer Cup meeting this Friday and Saturday (August 1 & 2) features the third running of The totepool Thirsk Summer Cup on Saturday. This £30,000 handicap contest over one mile is sure to attract plenty of runners, making for a competitive race. It’s one of the highlights of the season at Thirsk. Lord Aeryn, trained at Malton by Richard Fahey won the inaugural race two years ago, while last year’s race went to Norse Blues, trained near the racecourse by David Barron. 

Racing on Saturday is scheduled to begin at 1-55 p.m. with a contest for maiden two-year-olds supported by The European Breeders’ Fund, while The Peter Bell Memorial Handicap Stakes is held over seven furlongs – a £15,000 race which commemorates the late Peter Bell, who was a director of the racecourse for many years. His son, Jonny, is on the board of directors. 

Two-year-olds take part in The Nursery Handicap Stakes, a £15,000 contest over five furlongs, while The Jayne & Joe Parker’s Birthday Celebration Handicap Stakes is held over one mile and a half.

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

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

The concluding race on Friday is Round Six The Go Racing in Yorkshire Future Stars Apprentice Series – held on the eight Yorkshire courses which stage Flat racing and culminating in a Final at Doncaster in November. Friday’s race is a Handicap contest for sprinters over six furlongs. After the first five legs of the series, Megan Carberry leads the way with 45 points, followed by Joe Doyle and Claire Murray who have both accumulated 24 points. 

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

There’s a selection of attractions for children in the Family Ring on both days, while the giant screen, situated opposite the stands, will enable racegoers to follow even more of the action on the track.

 

Redcar hosts a seven-race programme next Wednesday (July 30) when racing is scheduled to start at 2-05 p.m. with a contest for maiden two-year-olds supported by The European Breeders’ Fund. 

The highlight of the afternoon is a qualifying race in this season’s Racing UK Straight-Mile Championship, a popular handicap series at Redcar which culminates in a Final on Saturday, October 4. Wednesday’s race is a contest for three-year-olds. With this being Racing UK Day at the course, subscribers to the specialist racing channel can register (via the Racing UK website) for free admission into the Grandstand Enclosure.  

The Market Cross Jewellers Handicap Stakes over one mile and a quarter is also featured, while Novice amateur riders, who at the start of the current Flat season, had not ridden more than three winners under Rules, take part in The Betfair Novice Flat Amateur Riders’ Handicap Stakes over one mile. It’s the third leg of an eight-race series for amateur riders which began earlier this month at Catterick and culminates at Carlisle at the end of August..

The giant screen will enable racegoers to see even more action on the track, along with the action from the second day of the ‘Glorious Goodwood’ meeting.

 

 

 

 

Beverley’s Meeting next Tuesday (July 29) is a ‘Newcomer’s Day’ designed to provideinformation for new or infrequent racegoers to understand the jargon of racing and visit the various areas of the racecourse in a friendly and relaxed environment.  

There are guided tours, including trips to the start of each race via tractor and trailer, behind-the-scenes tours of the racecourse prior to racing, while there’s an interactive ‘Racing Roadshow’ designed to entertain and engage racegoers in finding out more about the sport of Racing. There’s also a mechanical horse (equicisor) to have a go on, along with pony rides. 

There’s a grand parade of non-throughbred horses from Shires to Shetland ponies, along with an Equine art display by Mima Urquhart, fairground rides and face painting and a ‘You-lose-you-Win’ Paddock betting show. 

Racegoers will be able to see former racehorses now under the care of ‘New Beginnings’, a locally-based community interest company.

 Tuesday’s seven-race programme is scheduled to begin at 2-20 p.m. The feature race is the seventh running of The Wilford Watts Memorial Handicap Stakes, a contest over the extended mile held in memory of a local racegoer, while lady amateur riders compete in The Lady Jane Bethell Memorial Handicap Stakes over one mile and a quarter – a race held in memory of a former Patron of Beverley racecourse. 

The giant screen will be in use helping racegoers to follow all of the action, as well as showing racing from the opening day of the ‘Glorious Goodwood’ meeting.

 



The second of Pontefract’s three Sunday meetings this summer takes place this weekend (July 27), when the seven race programme starts at 2.20 p.m. It’s the final day of the 2014 ‘Go Racing In Yorkshire Summer Festival’, which showcases all that is best regarding racing in the county. 

 As usual at Pontefract’s Sunday fixtures, there’s a wide range of attractions available for young racegoers to enjoy and the fun begins from when the gates open at 11.30 a.m. Marching band, ‘The Derby Midshipmen’ provide the musical entertainment, while there’s a funfair, face painting and a crèche.  

The Sky Bet Supporting The Yorkshire Racing Festival Pomfret Stakes is the principal race of the afternoon. It’s the eighth running of this Listed race over one mile, which offers prize money of £45,000. This race in 2010 produced a dead-heat! 

The thirteenth running of The Graham Rock Memorial Handicap Stakes is contested over one mile and a quarter. The late Graham Rock was a much-respected racing journalist, who was the first editor of The Racing Post. He was latterly the racing correspondent for The Observer and a member of BBC Television’s racing team. He was also a successful racehorse owner; his colours were carried to memorable victories by Pasternak in both The John Smith’s Cup at York and The Cambridgeshire at Newmarket in 1997 – trained and ridden respectively by Sir Mark Prescott and George Duffield. Graham Rock’s roots were always in Yorkshire and he visited Pontefract many times as a youngster and later in life when working for Timeform and the now-defunct Sporting Chronicle.

 The opening race is a contest for maiden two-year-olds supported by Racing Profits Guides Ltd. and other races featured are The Infinity Tyres Handicap Stakes (a race for sprinters over five furlongs), The Moor Top Farm Shop Hemsworth Handicap Stakes over one mile and a half, while tiesplanet.com support racing for the first time at Pontefract by putting their name to a handicap contest for sprinters over six furlongs. One mile is the distance in The Fly High Faye Nickels Maiden Stakes. 

Former racehorses under the care of ‘New Beginnings’, a Yorkshire-based community interest company, are in attendance as part of the Festival, enabling racegoers to see them at close hand, while ‘Go Racing in Yorkshire’ will be hosting a new interactive ‘Racing Roadshow’ designed to entertain and engage racegoers in finding out about the equine and human stars of the sport. 

There’s also the chance to win a VIP day out at the final day of the Welcome to Yorkshire Ebor Festival at York next month – including a £200 bet with Sky Bet – in a special racecard competition running throughout the Festival. The draw for the winner will be made during Sunday’s meeting. 

The leading trainer and jockey of the ‘Go Racing In Yorkshire Summer Festival’ will be presented with their respective trophies. The Byerley Turk Trophy – donated by Goldsborough Hall – is given to the top trainer of the Festival, while the JCT600 Trophy awaits the leading rider. 

A couple of large screens will assist racegoers in following all of the action. There’s also a special, preview of racing in the winners’ enclosure some 45 minutes before the action begins on the track, along with paddock commentaries prior to each race.

 

York’s two-day Music Showcase weekend on Friday evening and Saturday afternoon (July 25 & 26), supported by Sky Bet, combines Pattern race quality action on the track and live performances on the music stage, after racing has finished.  

The legendary ‘Beach Boys’ – ‘America’s Band’ – will be on stage on Friday evening, while the chart-topping ‘Wet Wet Wet’ will entertain racegoers at the conclusion of racing on Saturday.

 The only evening fixture of the season at York gets underway at 6.00 pm on Friday with gates opening at 4pm. To offer a right Yorkshire welcome to the entertainers famous for their surf sounds, the crowd are being offered the chance to wear their best Hawaiian shirts for the evening, regardless of whether they are having a picnic or sipping some champagne. The conventional County Stand dress code for gentlemen of collared shirt, jacket and tie will be altered to allow all racegoers the chance to don their Hawaiian shirts. Racegoers in both County Stand and Grandstand and Paddock are also being offered a discount of £2 on the gate admission price when their wear their sunshine shirts.

 

The highlight of a valuable evening card is the seventh running of a Listed race for fillies and mares, the British Stallion Studs EBF Lyric Stakes offering a total prize fund of £40,000 and one of eighteen contests on the Knavesmire this year supported by The European Breeders’ Fund. Last year’s race was won by Hippy Hippy Shake, ridden by the six-times champion jockey, Kieren Fallon. 

Also featured on Friday evening is The Sky Bet Stakes (a handicap contest over one mile) – part of Sky Bet’s commitment to The Go Racing In Yorkshire Summer Festival, as this meeting is part of the initiative that links the eight flat courses in the county over nine days of fantastic sport. 

Apprentice jockeys are in the spotlight in the opening race, The DRS Television Handicap Stakes. Sprinters take part in The Tim Bresnan Testimonial Season Stakes (a handicap contest over six furlongs), which acknowledges Yorkshire and England cricketer, Tim Bresnan. Two-year-olds are catered for in The Batleys Cash & Carry Maiden Stakes whilst three-year-old sprinters blaze the trail in the final race, The Novus Stakes. 

Away from the track, the Minster FM team will also be broadcasting from the course prior to racing. 

Saturday’s quality seven-race programme means the prize money for the two days will exceed £300,000. The action starts at 1-50 p.m. with the entire card sponsored by Sky Bet – one of the leading horseracing, gaming and sports betting companies in the U.K.

 

The principal race on Saturday is the ninth running of The Sky Bet York Stakes, a £100,000 Group 2 contest, run over the extended one mile and a quarter, won last year by the outstanding Mukhadram, who has since gone on to finish runner-up in the richest race in the world, The Dubai World Cup. This month the same horse won the Group 1 Coral-Eclipse Stakes at Sandown. According to recent history Saturday’s victor could reappear in the richest race of York’s season, the £800,000 Juddmonte International on Wednesday 20 August.

 Also featured on Saturday’s strong card is the fastest race of the two days, The Sky Bet Dash. This £50,000 sprint is over six furlongs. Last year’s winner was Tropics who developed further to finish a fine second in the Group One Darley July Cup for Hertfordshire handler, Dean Ivory.

 Both days of this meeting are part of the 2014 Go Racing In Yorkshire Summer Festival, a partnership between the eight flat courses to showcase all that is best regarding racing in the county. There’s a special racecard competition each day with the overall winner receiving a VIP afternoon out back at York, on the concluding day of next month’s highlight, The Welcome to Yorkshire Ebor Festival – Saturday, August 23 – including a £200 bet courtesy of Sky Bet.

 Former racehorses now in the care of ‘New Beginnings’, a Yorkshire-based charity, are in attendance on Saturday, enabling racegoers to see them at close hand. Also, on Saturday, an interactive ‘Racing Roadshow’ will entertain and inform racegoers in finding out more about the equine and human stars of the sport. There’s even a mechanical horse to have a go on! 

Several giant screens will enable racegoers to enjoy even more of the action from both the track and the stage on both days, as well as following the action from the other big Saturday race meeting at Ascot.

 Away from the main stage there will be music from both Dr Jazz and Murphies Marbles. The popular totepool ‘Punter’s Panel’ takes place prior to racing helping racegoers to identify possible winners.

 For the best in racing and live music York is the perfect venue.

 


 

 Thirsk hosts a seven-race programme this Friday (July 25), with racing set to start at 2-00 p.m.  The meeting is part of the 2014 ‘Go Racing In Yorkshire Summer Festival’, aimed to showcase all that is best in racing in the county. 

The Sky Bet Supporting The Yorkshire Racing Summer Festival Nursery Handicap Stakes is contested by two-year-olds over the sprint distance of six furlongs. It’s the most valuable race of the afternoon, offering prize money of £12,000. The same distance applies to The Infinity Tyres Handicap Stakes for fillies and mares. 

Friday’s concluding race is a handicap race for sprinters over five furlongs for apprentice jockeys which is part of the ‘Hands & Heels’ Series – a national series of races for young riders under the Racing Excellence Initiative.

 Former racehorses now under the care of ‘New Beginnings’, a community interest company – based in Yorkshire – are in attendance throughout the Festival enabling racegoers to see them at close hand, while ‘Go racing in Yorkshire’ will be hosting a new interactive ‘Racing Roadshow’ designed to entertain and engage racegoers in finding out about the equine and human stars of the sport. 

There’s also the chance to win a VIP day out at the final day of the Welcome to Yorkshire Ebor Festival at York next month – including a £200 bet with Sky Bet – in a special racecard competition running throughout the Festival.  

The giant screen situated opposite the main stands, will enable racegoers to see all of the action. There’s also a special preview of racing in the winners’ enclosure some 45 minutes before the action begins on the track, as well as paddock commentaries prior to each race. For young racegoers, there are bouncy castles and a playground in the Family Enclosure, while ‘The Gershwin Gang’ provide the musical entertainment from the bandstand in the Paddock Enclosure.

 

 

Doncaster’s second consecutive Thursday evening meeting next week (July 24) is part of the 2014  ‘Go Racing In Yorkshire Summer Festival’, aimed to showcase all that is best about racing in the county. Residents reside in Yorkshire, Lincolnshire & Nottinghamshire can enjoy free access into the Family Enclosure and discounted admission into other enclosures – ON A PRE-BOOKED BASIS – at this evening meeting.

 Racegoers wishing to take up these offers, including registering for the free tickets, must book online in advance of Thursday’s meeting on www.doncaster-racecourse.co.uk and using the promo code ’RESIDAY’.

 Racing begins at 5-45 p.m. with a contest for maidens over seven furlongs named after Owlerton Greyhound Stadium in Sheffield, while the fully-sponsored racing programme features The Sky Bet Supporting The Yorkshire Racing Summer Festival Fillies’ Handicap Stakes, The SIG Insulation Handicap Stakes, The Esquires Coffee Handicap Stakes, The Saint Gobain Weber Handicap Stakes, The Park Hill Hospital Handicap Stakes and The 1stsecuritysolutions.co.uk Handicap Stakes.

 Former racehorses now under the care of ‘New Beginnings’, a Yorkshire-based community interest company, are in attendance, enabling racegoers to see them at close hand, while ‘Go Racing in Yorkshire’ will be hosting a new interactive ‘Racing Roadshow’ designed to entertain and engage racegoers in finding out about the equine and human stars of the sport.

 There’s a preview of the evening’s racing in the winners’ enclosure, along with Paddock commentaries prior to each race.

 Racegoers also the chance to win a VIP day out on the final day of the Welcome to Yorkshire Ebor Festival at York next month – including a £200 bet with Sky Bet – in a special racecard competition running throughout the Festival.

 The giant screen, situated opposite the main stands will enable racegoers to see all of the action. A shuttle bus service will be in operation from the railway station.

 

 

Catterick’s fourth consecutive Wednesday afternoon meeting (July 23) begins at 2-20 p.m. and is part of the 2014 ‘Go Racing In Yorkshire Racing Summer Festival’ which showcases racing in the county. 

The feature race of the afternoon is The Sky Bet Supporting The Yorkshire Racing Summer Festival Handicap Stakes, a contest for sprinters over the minimum distance of five furlongs, while other highlights include The Pin Point Recruitment Nursery Handicap Stakes (for two-year-olds over seven furlongs), The radioyorkshire.co.uk Your local Sports Station Claiming Stakes (seven furlongs), while Apprentice riders take part in the longest race of the afternoon – Handicap contest over one mile and a half – part of a national series for young jockeys, The Racing Excellence Apprentice Training Series.

 The opening race is a contest for maiden two-year-olds, supported by The European Breeders’ Fund.

 ‘New Beginnings’, a Yorkshire-based community interest company which re-homes former racehorses, are in attendance, while ‘Go Racing in Yorkshire’ will be hosting a new interactive ‘Racing Roadshow’ designed to entertain and engage racegoers in finding out about the equine and human stars of the sport.

 There’s also the chance to win a VIP day out at the final day of the Welcome to Yorkshire Ebor Festival at York next month – including a £200 bet with Sky Bet – in a special racecard competition running throughout the Festival. 

There’s a preview of the afternoon’s racing in the winners’ enclosure some 45 minutes before racing begins, while there are Paddock commentaries prior to each race. Local band, Trio Gitan provide the musical entertainment, while there’s a variety of attractions for children in the Course enclosure, including an indoor play area  As usual, the giant screen will be in use, enabling racegoers to follow all of the action.

 The raceday shuttle bus is in operation from Richmond town centre.

 

Beverley’s final evening meeting of the summer on Monday evening (July 21) is the third leg of the 2014 ‘Go Racing In Yorkshire Summer Festival’, aimed to showcase racing in the county.

 Racing begins at 6-15 p.m. and the feature races are The Sky Bet Supporting The Yorkshire Racing Summer Festival Handicap Stakes, The Weatherbys Stallion Book Handicap Stakes – both races for three-year-olds over the extended seven furlongs – The Richard & Carol Hudson Handicap Stakes (five furlongs), The SPS Group Maiden Handicap Stakes (for three-year-old stayers over two miles) and The Tribfest Music Festival Handicap Stakes (one mile and a quarter).

 During racing on Monday evening, models will be displaying the latest fashions from podiums throughout the enclosures to highlight the forthcoming St. Stephen’s Style Event on Journal Ladies Day on Wednesday, August 13. 

Former racehorses now under the care of ‘New Beginnings’, a Yorkshire-based local community interest company, are in attendance throughout the Festival enabling racegoers to see them at close hand, while ‘Go Racing in Yorkshire’ will be hosting a new interactive ‘Racing Roadshow’ designed to entertain and engage racegoers in finding out about the equine and human stars of the sport. 

There’s also the chance to win a VIP day out at the final day of the Welcome to Yorkshire Ebor Festival at York next month – including a £200 bet with Sky Bet and – in a special competition running throughout the Festival. 

The giant screen situated opposite the main stands, will enable racegoers to see all of the action. There’s also a special preview of racing in the winners’ enclosure some 45 minutes before the action begins on the track, and paddock commentaries prior to each race.

There’s something for all the family this Sunday at Redcar (July 20) – the second day of the 2014 ‘Go Racing In Yorkshire Summer Festival’, aimed to showcase all that is best regarding racing in the county. This special Family Fun Day is also part of Redcar’s support for the ‘Help For Heroes’ charity concerning our armed forces. Tickets for Sunday’s meeting start at £5 for adults, while accompanied children under 18 are admitted free of charge. 

The gates open at noon and there’s a host of attractions for children in the Course Enclosure, such as fairground rides, bouncy castles, slides, children’s entertainers, face painting and stilt walkers. Once again, the racecourse is teaming up with Help For Heroes, The Royal British Legion and The Felix Fund to raise awareness and funds for these charities. 

A special preview of racing in the winners’ enclosure will take place some 45 minutes prior to the action on the track and there will be paddock commentaries prior to each race.

 Racing on Sunday begins at 2-10 p.m. with a contest for two-year-olds – The British Stallion Studs EBF Yorkshire Regiment Maiden Stakes. The highlights of the racing programme include The Sky Bet Supporting The Yorkshire Racing Summer Festival Handicap Stakes (a contest for sprinters), The First World War 100th Anniversary Fillies’ Handicap Stakes (one mile) and The Redcar Cricket Club Handicap Stakes (nine furlongs).

 The final race is Round Five of series for young riders this season – The Go Racing In Yorkshire Future Stars Apprentice Series – held on the eight Yorkshire courses which stage Flat racing and culminating in a Final at Doncaster in November. Sunday’s race is a Handicap Stakes over one mile and three-quarters – the longest race of the afternoon. After the first four legs of the series, Megan Carberry leads the way with 45 points, followed by Claire Murray 24 points. A win is worth 18 points.

 ‘Go Racing in Yorkshire’ will be hosting a new interactive ‘Racing Roadshow’ designed to entertain and engage racegoers in finding out more about the equine and human stars of the sport. 

There’s a special racecard competition each day of the Festival up to and including the final day at Pontefract the following Sunday, with the overall winner receiving a VIP day out at the final day of the Welcome to Yorkshire Ebor Festival at York next month, including a £200 bet with Sky Bet. 

 The giant screen will enable racegoers to see even more action on the track

 Ripon hosts the opening meeting of the 2014 ‘Go Racing In Yorkshire Racing Summer Festival’ this Saturday (July 19), a seven-race programme, which is due to start at 2-00 p.m.

The Festival – which concludes at Pontefract on Sunday week – aims to showcase all that is best about racing in the county. To celebrate the opening day of the Festival, racegoers at the main entrances will be greeted by stilt walkers, while ‘Go Racing in Yorkshire’ will be hosting a new interactive ‘Racing Roadshow’ designed to entertain and engage racegoers in finding out more about the equine and human stars of the sport.

There’s also the chance to win a VIP day out at the final day of the Welcome to Yorkshire Ebor Festival at York next month – including a £200 bet with Sky Bet – in a special racecard competition running throughout the Festival.

  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 EBF yorkshire.com Maiden Stakes – a contest for two-year-olds over five furlongs – supported by The European Breeders’ Fund.

  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, enabling racegoers to see them at close hand.

 Prior to racing, there’s a preview of the afternoon’s racing in the winners’ enclosure and there will be paddock commentaries 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 in the Course Enclosure, along with the permanent playgrounds.

 Members of Leeds Rhinos Rugby League team will be in attendance and will present the prize to the connections of the second race winner in the winner’s enclosure.

 

Pontefract’s 22nd annual ‘Red Shirt Night’ charity meeting on Friday evening (July 18) – the course’s third and final evening fixture of the summer – will raise revenue for ‘The House That Jack Built’ – a state-of-the-art rehabilitation centre for injured and retired jockeys which is being constructed in Malton. This meeting also incorporates the course’s second Beer Festival. Local breweries such as Pennine Brewing Co., Revolutions BrewingCo., Ossett Brewery and the Bier Huis will be selling their distinctive ales. 

Famous for wearing his trademark red shirt at the races, former leading northern trainer and Yorkshireman, Jack Berry, MBE, has been the major driving force over the years of this charity evening meeting in his capacity as a Vice-President of The Injured Jockeys Fund – a charity which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year.

 The most valuable race on Friday evening is The Betfred Handicap Stakes, a contest for sprinters over five furlongs, offering prize money of £15,000.

 Racing on Friday evening starts at 6-30 p.m. with a contest for maiden two-year-olds supported once again by Countrywide Freight of Trafford Park Manchester, while fillies and mares take part in The totepool Fillies’ Handicap Stakes over one mile and a half. The eighth running of The Colstrope Cup Handicap Stakes – a contest for three-year-olds over one mile continues to be supported by Yvonne Jacques and Beryl Jones 

The Crabbie’s Alcoholic Ginger Beer Maiden Handicap Stakes is contested over one mile and a quarter, while sprinters take part in the final race of the evening over six furlongs, The Injured Jockeys’ Fund 50th Anniversary Handicap Stakes. 

A giant screen will assist racegoers in following all of the action, while 80’s tribute band, ‘Smoove Criminalz’ will play after racing. As usual, the racecourse will make a donation to ‘The House That Jack Built’ based on the number of runners in each race.

 

 

Residents who have a DN postcode can enjoy free access into the Family Enclosure and discounted admission into other enclosures – ON A PRE-BOOKED BASIS –at Doncaster’s Thursday evening meeting on July 17 – Mode Magazine Residents’ Race Night. 

Racegoers wishing to take up these offers, including registering for the free tickets, must book online in advance of Thursday’s meeting on www.doncaster-racecourse.co.uk and use the promo code ‘DONDAY’.

 Mark Spincer, Doncaster’s managing director said, “Once again we’re looking forward to giving something back to the locals who have supported us over the years and introducing new people to the sport. Guests who live in the DN postcode area can enjoy a fantastic mid-summer evening of racing action for free, with some great exclusive heavily-reduced offers also available.” 

There are seven races on Thursday evening, starting at 5-55 p.m. with a sprint Handicap contest for apprentice jockeys under the Mode Magazine banner, who support a total of four races during the evening. The European Breeders’ Fund support a race for maiden two-year-old fillies, while the programme also includes The D C Training & Development Services Ltd. Fillies’ Nursery Handicap Stakes and The Esquires Coffee Classified Stakes. 

In addition, anyone purchasing a racecard on Thursday evening can obtain a £2 discount off a £5 bet with a selection of rails bookmakers.

 There’s also a Residents’ Race Night the following Thursday (July 24), for those living in the wider Yorkshire, Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire areas.  

 The giant screen, situated opposite the main stands will enable racegoers to see all of the action. A shuttle bus service will be in operation from the railway station.

 

 
The third of four consecutive Wednesday afternoon meetings at Catterick next week on July 16 is set to begin at 2-00 p.m.  

Three-year-old sprinters take part in The ABF The Soldiers’ Charity Handicap Stakes over five furlongs and funds will be raised for this charity which has strong links with the local community, with Catterick Garrison being a major military camp. The charity will have a stall at the meeting, giving information about what they do and selling merchandise. 

The main race is The catterickbridge.co.uk Handicap Stakes, a contest for sprinters over six furlongs, while also featured is The Racing UK Anywhere Available Now Handicap Stakes – a qualifier for The Catterick Twelve Furlong Series, which culminates in a £20,000 Final on Saturday, September 20. 

Novice amateur riders, who at the start of the season had not ridden more than three winners under Rules, take part in The Betfair Novice Flat Amateur Riders’ Handicap Stakes over one mile and a half. 

 The Go Racing In  Yorkshire Summer Festival Maiden Stakes is contested over seven furlongs and the race title draws attention to the seventh Summer Festival on the Yorkshire racecourses which begins the following Saturday at Ripon and concludes at Pontefract on Sunday, July 27. 

As usual, the giant screen will be in use and the raceday shuttle bus is in operation from Richmond town centre.



Beverley’s seven-race programme on Tuesday afternoon (July 15) is set to begin at 2-30 p.m. and stayers take part in the principal race, The 129th Year of the Watt Memorial Stakes.

Contested over two miles, this famous race has existed since a local dignitary, William Watt bequeathed a fund to the racecourse. His father, Squire Richard Watt, who was based at nearby Bishop Burton, trained four St. Leger winners in the early part of the 19th Century – Altisidora (1813), Barefoot (1823), Memnon (1825) and Rockingham (1833). 

Tony McCormick of Bridlington once again supports The g1racingtrends.com Handicap Stakes over the extended mile, the race title drawing attention to his website. The Evison Family return to Beverley to support The Sandra Evison Momorial Handicap Stakes over the extended seven furlongs. The KCOM Group Handicap Stakes is a contest for three-year-olds over one mile and a quarter. 

Lady riders – both amateur and professional – are in the spotlight in this season’s renewal of The Dorothy Laird Memorial Trophy Handicap Stakes (one mile and a quarter), a race held in memory of a former Vice-President of The Amateur Jockeys’ Association of Great Britain and Secretary of The Lady Jockeys’ Association (now merged with the AJA). 

 The giant screen will assist racegoers to follow all of the action on the track.

 

Thirsk stages an evening’s racing on Tuesday (July 15) – July Jazz Night at the North Yorkshire course – a seven-race programme which starts at 6-10 p.m. ‘Dr. Jazz’ and his band provide the musical entertainment during the evening from the bandstand.

 The race titles draw attention to Racing UK, the dedicated racing channel which features all of the racing action ‘live’ from Thirsk and which is celebrating its tenth anniversary this year.

 The feature race is a handicap contest for three-year-olds over one mile and a half.

 

In a week that saw York Racecourse host the Tour de France, the world class sport continues with the 55th running of The John Smith’s Cup on Saturday (12 July).

 The £150,000 handicap, named after Britain’s best-selling ale, is the centrepiece of a quality seven-race programme, as well as Britain’s longest continuous commercial sponsorship of a flat race. 

The opening day of the early July Meeting on the Knavesmire is Friday, with the Group Three Totepool Summer Stakes offering a black type opportunity to the fastest filly down the six furlong course.

 One of Europe’s most prestigious, competitive and valuable middle-distance heritage handicap contests, Saturday’s renewal of The John Smith’s Cup is contested over the extended one mile and a quarter. The winning owner can look forward to receiving the specially-commissioned Wedgewood challenge trophy.

 Fougalle was the first winner of this famous race back in 1960, and since then there have been many dramatic moments, with the race becoming a major betting heat of the summer. Yorkshire-trained horses have a very good record in the race, especially in recent times, although horses trained in Newmarket have won the last four runnings of the race, with Danchai prevailing last year for trainer William Haggas (a Yorkshireman in exile), who was successful in 2011 with Green Destiny.

 Always one of the big days of the year, this event has become a showcase for ‘Yorkshire’s Finest’, and sees John Smith’s treasuring its Yorkshire roots with a full Yorkshire menu of locally-sourced and home-made food. In addition, there will be a number of cask ales available at the racecourse, thanks to collaboration with fellow Yorkshire brewers, Theakston’s.

 To celebrate the occasion, prior to racing, there will once again be a fly-past over the Knavesmire by aircraft from RAF Linton-on-Ouse. The Racecourse and local brewery have forged strong links with its nearest RAF Station which trains the next generation of fighter pilots who will be at the controls of their Tucano aircraft.

 Racing on Saturday also features a pair of Listed races; the first for sprinters, The John Smith’s City Walls Stakes – a contest over five furlongs (won last year by Jwala, trained at Newmarket by Robert Cowell; the mare returned to York in August to win the Group One Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes). Earlier in the afternoon sees The John Smith’s Silver Cup, an established Listed contest for stayers over one mile and three-quarters. Sun Central made it a day to remember for the aforementioned William Haggas when winning last year’s race. Both Listed races offer prize money of £40,000. 

The highlight on Friday, The Totepool Summer Stakes, is a Group Three sprint contest over six furlongs for fillies and mares, continues to offer a purse of £60,000. Last year’s race was won for the second time by Ladies Are Forever, owned and bred by Yorkshire-based Reg Bond.

 Friday is the annual charity day in support of GroceryAid, the national charity which exists to provide financial aid for those people who have served in the grocery industry. The northern branch of the charity is once again responsible for Friday’s fund-raising activities, which also involves a number of sponsored races – The HayLin Stakes (a nursery handicap for two-year-olds over five furlongs), The Cakemark EBF Stallions Maiden Stakes for two-year-olds over seven furlongs and The GroceryAid Chairman’s Charity Cup (a handicap contest over one mile and a half).  

Continuing the culinary theme, the day sees food group, Cranswick PLC, support racing at York for the second time by backing a handicap race over the extended mile and a quarter. A household name in household electricals, AEG, are also return to York, putting their Electrolux brand name to a handicap contest over seven furlongs where apprentices will be the pilots.  

Going into this meeting, North Yorkshire trainer, David O’Meara leads the way to be York’s top trainer in the Charles Clinkard 90th Anniversary competition, having recorded six winners so far this term. Ryan Moore and Graham Lee head the race for The Living North award to be York’s top rider, both having ridden four winners already this season. 

Catering for broad musical tastes, Friday offers a live jazz backdrop, with the traditional Yorkshire sound of a brass band being provided on Saturday, complimented by the foot-stomping Irish tones of ‘Murphy’s Marbles’. An up tempo end to proceedings will come courtesy of the popular group, The Acoustix, who will take to the bandstand as the last race crosses the line. 

A number of giant screens will enable racegoers to enjoy even more of the action on both days, along with racing from Newmarket’s July Meeting. The First Test action from Trent Bridge – England v. India – will be shown on televisions around the track. The popular punter’s panel held prior to racing on the winners’ podium will preview the card on both days.

 

 


The second of Catterick’s four consecutive Wednesday afternoon fixtures next week (July 9) is set to begin at 2-30 p.m.

 The feature race is The 5th Regiment Royal Artillery Heimdall Handicap Stakes, a contest for stayers over two miles for the Turmeric Challenge Trophy. Turmeric was trained at Newmarket by the late David Morley and owned by his wife, Melanie. He won eight races at Catterick between 1987 and 1989 and was a real favourite with racegoers at the course. 

Members of the 5th Regiment Royal Artillery – based at nearby Marne Barracks – make their annual visit to Catterick as they maintain links with their local racecourse, as they celebrate their 75th anniversary. 

The St. Teresa’s Hospice Maiden Stakes over one mile and a half, draws attention to the fund-raising activities on the day of regular visitors to Catterick, St. Teresa’s Hospice in Darlington. 

The Go Racing In Yorkshire Racing Summer Festival Handicap Stakes is contested by three-year-olds over seven furlongs and the race title draws attention to the Festival which takes place on the county’s racecourses between 19 & 27 July. 

As usual, the giant screen will be in use and the raceday shuttle bus is in operation from Richmond Town Centre.

 

 

The Weatherbys VAT Services Pipalong Stakes – a £40,000 Listed race over one mile for fillies and mares – is the highlight of Pontefract’s ‘Midsummer Tea Party Day’ on Tuesday (July 8), when racing is scheduled to begin at 2-30 p.m. 

Leeds-based Marvellous Tea Dance Company are hosting a special marquee, where afternoon tea packages can be booked via the racecourse website, starting a £10 for a ‘Marvellous Cream Tea’ for two.

 The eleventh running of the Pipalong Stakes is sponsored by Wellingborough-based Weatherbys Group, a company which provides administrative and commercial services to the British racing industry. This race which should attract a quality turnout; past winners include Gifted Girl (last year), Law Of The Range, Off Chance, Red Bloom and Chorist.

 Sprinters take part in The King Richard III Handicap Stakes and The Dianne Nursery Handicap Stakes, both races contested over six furlongs. The 30th running of The King Richard III Handicap Stakes – offering prize money of £12,000 – commemorates the granting of a Royal Charter to the Borough of Pontefract in 1484 and the successful owner will receive a perpetual challenge trophy provided by Pontefract Civic Trust, while given the discovery last year of the Monarch’s remains in Leicester, The King Richard III Society are also hosting an event on Tuesday evening at St. Giles Church in Pontefract. The Dianne Nursery Handicap Stakes is one of the UK’s first handicap races of the season for two-year-olds.

 Tuesday’s meeting is also an opportunity for The Pontefract Sports & Education Foundation to raise funds, and this is reflected in the charity’s partners supporting the racing programme. The races concerned are The Hilco Appraisal Handicap Stakes (one mile and a quarter), The Colliers International Asset Advisory Handicap Stakes (for three-year-old sprinters) and The Pontefract Sports & Education Foundation (a contest for three-year-olds over one mile supported by ISS World).

 The giant screen, situated opposite the track, will show all of the action.

 

 

Ripon’s fourth evening meeting of the summer takes place next Monday (July 7), when racing begins at 6-40 p.m. and to celebrate the Yorkshire ‘Grand Depart’ of the Tour de France, the first 100 racegoers wearing a yellow jersey or clothing (T-shirt, top, blouse skirt etc.) will be admitted free of charge into the Paddock Enclosure. Also, all official ‘Tour Makers’ will gain free admittance if wearing their official clothing. The gates open at 4-40 p.m. and the offer extends to 6-00 p.m. 

The evening’s opening race is The Happy 80th Birthday John Oglanby Maiden Fillies’ Stakes, a contest for juvenile fillies named in honour of John Oglanby’s special birthday. John is the father of Jane Hutchinson, Ripon’s Commercial Manager.

Three-year-old sprinters take part The Armstrong Memorial Handicap Stakes and The Our Local Heroes Foundation Handicap Stakes – both races contested over six furlongs. It’s the 58th 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. 

There’s musical entertainment on Monday evening, courtesy of The Fanfare Brass Band, while Ripon’s permanent giant screen will enable racegoers to follow all of the action, including racing from the other evening meeting at Windsor.

 

 


 

Doncaster’s seven-race programme on Friday (July 4), which begins at 2-30 p.m., is a fully-sponsored card, featuring races supported by Worldpay, the independent provider of credit and debit card processing facilities for businesses in the UK. The feature race is a handicap contest over seven furlongs. 

 

… FOLLOWED BY THURSDAY AFTERNOON 

The first of three consecutive Thursday meetings at Doncaster takes place next week (July 10) – an afternoon programme also scheduled to start at 2-00 p.m. 

The European Breeders’ Fund support a race for maiden two-year-olds while The Amateur Jockey’s Association of Great Britain support the final race, a Handicap contest for amateur riders over the staying distance of the extended two miles.  

The following two Thursday meetings on Town Moor are evening cards on July 17 (Mode Magazine Residents Race Night) & 24 (Residents Race Night – Yorkshire, Lincolnshire & Nottinghamshire). 

The giant screen situated opposite the main stands will enable racegoers to see all of the action. A shuttle bus service will be in operation from the railway station.

 

 

Beverley is set to stage the ‘Big Racing Weekender’ meeting on Friday evening and Saturday afternoon this weekend (July 4 & 5), beginning at 6-30 p.m. and 1-55 p.m. respectively.

 Friday evening features three races supported by the Hull-based independent family-owned company, William Jackson Food Group, it being the 45th year they have sponsored on the Westwood. The trio of races are The Jackson’s Yorkshire Champion Bread Handicap Stakes (over the extended seven furlongs), The Aunt Bessie’s Yorkshire Pudding Novice Stakes (a contest for two-year-olds over five furlongs also supported by The European Breeders’ Fund) and The Ferguson Fawsitt Arms Handicap Stakes (for sprinters over five furlongs). 

 Leading independent power transmission distributors, Swan Industrial Drives (Hull) Ltd. sponsor once again at Beverley when they support a handicap contest for three-year-olds over the extended mile, while the longest race of the evening, The Beryl & Joe Turner Memorial Handicap Stakes over one mile and a half, is part of the Beverley Middle Distance Series – a special series of races this season on the Westwood now in its fourth year. 

Racegoers on Friday evening can have a go on the Tribfest Silent Discosituated on the Lavendar Lawn. 

It’s Coachman Caravans Day on Saturday, with the seven-race programme supported by regular sponsors of racing at Beverley, the award-winning Coachman Caravans of Hull, in conjunction with their suppliers and dealers. The principal race is The Coachman Caravans Quality Handicap Stakes, a contest for sprinters over five furlongs, while The Eltherington Stakes is a handicap contest over the extended seven furlongs for three-year-olds. 

 The giant screen will assist racegoers to follow all of the action on the track, as well as the Group 1 Coral-Eclipse Stakes from Sandown Park on Saturday afternoon.

 

   

The first of four consecutive Wednesday afternoon meetings at Catterick takes place next week (July 2). Racing is scheduled to begin at 2-30 p.m.

 The European Breeders’ Fund support the opening two races – contests for maiden two-year-olds – with the first of them for juvenile fillies.

There’s very much a cycling theme to the pair of feature races – The Yorkshire Welcomes Le Grand Depart Handicap Stakes (seven furlongs) and The Wear A Yellow Jersey Handicap Stakes (one mile and a half) – in celebration of the imminent Grand Depart in Yorkshire of the Tour de France. Catterick racecourse is providing a ‘Park & Cycle’ facility on Saturday, 5 July for cycling fans eager to get to the route on the opening day of the Grand Depart. 

Anyone wearing a yellow jersey or top on Wednesday will receive free admission into the course!

 As usual, the giant screen will be in use, enabling racegoers to see all of the action, while there’s a shuttle bus service from Richmond Market Place on all racedays at Catterick.

 

The seventh annual Go Racing in Yorkshire Summer Festival celebrates the popularity of the sport of racing in the White Rose County. The Festival begins at Ripon on Saturday, 19th and concludes eight days later at Pontefract the following Sunday (27th). It showcases quality racing, live music, entertainment, competitions and stable visits, highlighting a sport which attracts a million racegoers to the Yorkshire tracks every year. 

The Festival continues to be supported in particular by Yorkshire-based interactive sports bookmaker Sky Bet and Great British Racing. Funds will be once again be raised during the Festival for ‘New Beginnings’, the Yorkshire-based enterprise which provides a safe, secure and supportive environment for former racehorses. The charity to benefit from racing at Redcar during the Festival is Help For Heroes.

 The Go Racing in Yorkshire information unit will be present during the Festival, and will include details of how racegoers can be involved in the sport via syndicate ownership in conjunction with own1.co.uk 

The Festival involves all nine Yorkshire racecourses, and once again racegoers attending the Festival will hear a familiar voice from the commentary box – that of Mark Johnson – who has ended his five-year stint as the first non-American to be the trackside announcer at the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs racetrack, Louisville. 

The Go Racing in Yorkshire website (www.goracing.co.uk) has details of the Festival.  

The list of The Go Racing in Yorkshire Summer Festival fixtures are: 

Saturday, 19th – Ripon

Sunday, 20th – Redcar

Monday (evening), 21st – Beverley

Wednesday, 23rd – Catterick

Thursday (evening), 24th – Doncaster

Friday, 25th – Thirsk

Friday (evening), 25th – York

Saturday, 26th – York

Sunday, 27th – Pontefract

 

 

York’s fixture during the Festival, the ‘Music Showcase Weekend’ on Friday evening (25th) and Saturday afternoon (26th) features ‘live’ performances after racing on the Friday by the world-famous American band, ‘The Beach Boys’ followed on Saturday by chart-topping band, ‘Wet Wet Wet’. As for the racing, The Sky Bet York Stakes and The Sky Bet Dash are Saturday’s feature contests on the Knavesmire. Last year’s Group 3 Sky Bet York Stakes was won by Mukhadram, trained at Newmarket by Yorkshireman, William Haggas. The colt was runner-up in the world’s richest race, The Dubai World Cup in March.

 Prior to the Festival, York stages the 55th John Smith’s Cup, which is the principal race on Saturday, 12th. This famous £150,000 middle-distance Heritage Handicap – the richest of its kind in Europe – was won last year by Danchai – also trained by William Haggas. It’s the second day of the meeting at York, with Friday’s programme (11th) featuring The Summer Stakes. Last year’s winner of this Group 3 contest for fillies and mares was to Ladies Are Forever, representing Yorkshire-based owner/breeder, Reg Bond. 

The ‘Red Shirt Night’ meeting incorporating a Beer Festival at Pontefract on Friday evening, 18th – which benefits The Injured Jockeys’ Fund – is the perfect aperitif for the Go Racing in Yorkshire Summer Festival. There’s an earlier fixture this month at Pontefract on Tuesday, 8th (Midsummer Tea Party Meeting)  

The beautiful Westwood is the setting for Beverley’s fixture on Friday evening and Saturday afternoon (4th & 5th), followed by Monday evening (7th) action at Yorkshire’s ‘Garden Racecourse’, Ripon.

 Catterick is in action on four consecutive Wednesday afternoons this month – 2nd, 9th, 16th & 23rd. There are other meetings at Doncaster on Friday, 4th, Thursday, 10th and Thursday (evening) 17th and further Beverley fixtures on Tuesday 15th and the ‘Newcomer’s Day’ fixture on Tuesday, 29th. There’s evening racing at Thirsk on Tuesday, 15th, while the county’s ‘seaside racecourse’, Redcar stages a meeting on Wednesday, 30th.

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

   

 

 Pontefract’s season continues on Monday (June 30), when the seven-race programme starts at 2-30 p.m. with a Handicap contest for lady amateur riders – The Patricia George Memorial Ladies’ Handicap Stakes over one mile and a quarter. 

A couple of £15,000 races are featured – both over the sprint distance of six furlongs. The first being The Spindrifter Conditions Stakes, a contest for two-year-olds held annually to commemorate the achievements of the record-breaking juvenile, Spindrifter, who won 13 races as a two-year-old in 1980, three of which were achieved at Pontefract. The other highlight on Monday is The EBF Stallions Breeding Winners Park Suite Fillies’ Handicap Stakes, a contest for fillies and mares supported by The European Breeders’ Fund. 

The Jack Smith – A Lifetime In Racing Handicap Stakes over one mile and a half is one of a series of races organised by the charity Racing Welfare to acknowledge those who have spent a lifetime in the sport of racing. Jack Smith has worked for several Middleham trainers, in particular Bill Watts, Ernie Weymes and latterly Karl Burke. 

Once again at this meeting, racehorse owner Tony Perkins sponsors a race in memory of his grandfather, as three-year-old sprinters contest The Wilfred Underwood Memorial Classified Stakes, while the friends and family of the late Wayne Conway continue to support a middle-distance Handicap contest for three-year-olds in his memory. He was from Barnsley and enjoyed racing at Pontefract. 

The concluding race is The Ann & George Duffield sunhill-lodges.co.uk Handicap Stakes, a contest over one mile which draws attention to the morning visit by Pontefract’s annual members to the Sun Hill Racing Stables at Constable Burton of trainer, Ann Duffield. 

The ‘Postcode Lottery’ £2 promotion for this meeting concerns those living in the DN (Doncaster) region. See Pontefract’s website for details. 

The giant screen, situated opposite the track, will show all of the action.

 


Triple Brit Award-winning band, ‘Kaiser Chiefs’ – who hail from Leeds – will be playing their medley of hits ‘live’ on stage after racing at Doncaster this Saturday evening (June 28), while there’s also racing action on Friday afternoon on Town Moor (June 27).

The critically-acclaimed band, best known for their anthemic top ten hit, ‘I Predict A Riot’ and the number one single, ‘Ruby’ will take to the stage at the conclusion of racing on Saturday evening to perform a string of UK hit singles, as well as tracks from their fifth studio album, ‘Education, Education, Education & War’. 

There are special ticket prices for both the racing and the ‘Kaiser Chiefs’ concert on Saturday evening, and children under 18 do not receive free admission. Bookings can be made via the racecourse’s website – www.doncaster-racecourse.co.uk 

A separate screen will show the FIFA World Cup football action from Brazil. 

Racing on Saturday evening is set to begin at 5-30 p.m. and the seven-race programme is supported by companies in conjunction with theconstructionindex.co.uk – the Construction Search Engine. Among the companies involved are The AFI Group, Panelcraft Quality Access Panels, Stabilised Pavements, M & G Services Ltd. and Jordan Road Surfacing Ltd. 

Racing on Friday afternoon, starts at 2-00 p.m. The whole seven-race card is supported by sports betting exchange company, BETDAQ. 

The Family Enclosure will be closed on Saturday to accommodate the outdoor stage.

 

 

Giant screens, situated opposite the main stands will enable racegoers to see all of the action. A shuttle bus service will be in operation from the railway station.



Beverley’s season continues with a meeting on Tuesday (June 24), when racing is scheduled to start at 1-45 p.m. 

The first six races are named to celebrate the tenth anniversary of Racing UK, the dedicated television channel which features racing from Beverley. 

The afternoon’s concluding race is Round Four of a series for young riders in its season year – The Go Racing in Yorkshire Future Stars Apprentice Series – held on the eight Yorkshire courses which stage Flat racing and culminating in a Final at Doncaster in November. Tuesday’s race is a Handicap contest for sprinters over five furlongs. After the first three legs of the series, the clear leader is Megan Carberry, who has accumulated 45 points after winning at both Doncaster and Pontefract and finishing second at Ripon. Megan is attached to the Malton stable of trainer, Brian Ellison. 

The giant screen will assist racegoers to follow all of the action on the track.

 

Thirsk stages an evening’s racing on Monday (June 23), a seven-race programme which starts at 6-20 p.m. 

The feature race, The Jonathan Trowell Memorial Stakes (a handicap race over seven furlongs) commemorates a renowned artist who passed away last year. Paintings by Jonathan Trowell can be found in public and private collections worldwide and he produced several paintings and images of Thirsk racecourse, capturing the vitality, colour and drama of racing. 

The Yorkshire Outdoors Adventure Experiences Handicap Stakes is a contest for stayers over two miles, while the evening’s other races are named to celebrate the tenth anniversary of Racing UK, the dedicated television channel which features racing from Thirsk. 

Musical entertainment on Monday evening is provided by Irish Folk Band, ‘Roisin’

 

 

 

The tenth running of The totepool Pontefract Castle Stakes (a Listed Race) and The totepool.com Pontefract Cup are the twin highlights of Pontefract’s seven-race programme this Sunday (June 22) – the first of the course’s trio of Sunday meetings this summer. There’s a host of attractions for young racegoers, with the emphasis on producing exciting, competitive racing on the track, along with an entertaining and informative day out for the family. 

There’s greyhound racing prior to the first race and the first 500 people into the course will each receive a spot prize. 

Contested over one mile and a half, The totepool Pontefract Castle Stakes offers prize money of £40,000 – making it one of the most valuable races of the season at Pontefract. Brown Panther, owned and bred by former England footballer, Michael Owen, has won the last two runnings of this race. Brown Panther has won both of his races so far this season – Group 3 races at Chester and Sandown Park.

 Stayers take part in The totepool.com Pontefract Cup, a Handicap race over two and a quarter miles. This race is the fourth of eight in this season’s Pontefract Stayers’ Championship, which is led by both New Youmzain and Suprise Vendor. The Series incorporates all races over two miles or more at the course and is now in its eleventh year. There are bonuses of £3,000 and trophies to the connections of the horse which heads the table in October, based on a points system accrued according to wins and places obtained during the series. 

Another feature race on Sunday is The totequadpot Four Places In Four Races Handicap Stakes, a £20,000 contest over one mile and a quarter, as the whole of Sunday’s card is supported by totepool, which along with parent company Betfred, comprise one of the biggest sponsors of racing in the UK. 

The gates open at 11-30 a.m., with the first race taking place at 2-10 p.m. 

The giant screen situated opposite the main stands will assist racegoers to follow all of the action during the afternoon, while musical entertainment is provided by The Coventry Corps of Drums. Yorkshire-based ‘New Beginnings’ will bring along a former racehorse for children to meet and there are rides for youngsters along with face painting and free sweets – while stocks last! There’s also a ‘Hunt The Golden Horseshoe’ competition for a sweets hamper provided by ‘Sugar Rush’.

 As usual, accompanied children under 18 years of age will be admitted free of charge into all enclosures. A special Family Ticket can be purchased in advance for £20 into the Grandstand & Paddock Enclosure.

 

  

THE annual Ladies’ Day every June at Redcar Racecourse is one of the fashion and social highlights in the Tees Valley calendar. 

This year’s big occasion is on Saturday 21st June and, as always, thousands of ladies will get out their finery, dress up and join their partners or friends for an afternoon at the races. 

It comes at the end of the week featuring Royal Ascot, the race meeting so renowned with high fashion.

 As is traditional at the racecourse’s Ladies’ Day, there are valuable prizes for the ‘Best Dressed Lady’ and the ‘Best Hat’. The finalist spotters will be mingling with the crowds, so everyone is in with a chance of winning. 

The racecourse has also teamed up with Teesside Hospice to showcase how to look great in a ‘Guide to What to Wear at the Races’ fashion show at 2.45pm. All of the outfits have been sourced through the Teesside Hospice shops including the Saltburn vintage shop, brand boutique in Yarm and £1 shop in Redcar – proving that you can look good without spending a fortune. 

Redcar Racecourse’s general manager Amy Fair enthused: “Flowers, bubbly and fancy hats . . . what more could a girl want? There’s certainly no need for Royal Ascot when there is Ladies’ Day at Redcar Races! Every lady should dress to impress because they’ll be in with the chance of some great prizes. 

“If you’re more of a social race-goer than a racing aficionado, then Ladies’ Day is the day to come racing. It’s a perfect way to celebrate a special occasion or simply a great excuse to buy a new outfit.” 

Competition “spotters” will mingle with the crowds throughout the afternoon and select the ten finalists for the ‘Best Dressed Lady’ (3.50pm) and ‘Best Hat’ (4.30pm) competitions. 

The lady judged to be the ‘Best Dressed’ will be invited to go on to the Go Racing In Yorkshire Grand Final at Doncaster Racecourse on Saturday 25 October. 

Back at Redcar Races on Saturday 21st June, the judging will be in the Winners’ Enclosure, with prizes from Market Cross Jewellers, Chic Hats, Orange Kerr Hair & Beauty, Capture Le Coeur Photography and Rae & Rose Bespoke Florists. 

The prizes for the ‘Best Dressed’ ladies are: (1st) 18 carat sapphire and diamond ring, cut & blow dry voucher and gift pack, and a bouquet; (2nd) Coeur De Lion necklace and gift pack; (3rd) Guess Heart bracelet and gift pack. 

The prizes for the ladies with the ‘Best Hat’ are: (1st) A bespoke fascinator/hat, a photo-shoot, canvas and 15 images, and a bouquet; (2nd) Guess stone set bracelet; (3rd) Purity 925 pendant.

 After Ladies’ Day, the highlights for the rest of the year at Redcar Racecourse include:

H4H Family Fun day on Sunday 20th July;

  • Caribbean Carnival day on Saturday 9th August;

  • Ladies’ & Gents’ Evening on Saturday 23rd August;

  • Two-Year-Old Trophy day on Saturday 4th October.

 Ladies’ Day is the second of a two-day meeting at Redcar Racecourse which starts on Friday 20th June. The first race on Friday is scheduled for 2.20pm, with admission gates open just after midday. On Saturday – Ladies’ Day – the first race of seven is at 2.05pm.

 The racecourse’s website – www.redcarracing.co.uk – offers the convenience of online purchasing of tickets for all racing days. There is also a guide to where to eat and drink at the racecourse – and discount vouchers can be downloaded. 

Redcar’s ‘Course Enclosure’ – which offers a café, bar and picnic area – costs just £5 for adults and £4 for students and pensioners on Saturday.  On Friday the prices are £1 less. The Grandstand Enclosure is £15 admission on Saturday – and £12 on Friday. There are also value-for-money admission packages on offer. Accompanied children aged under 18 are admitted free of charge.

 

 
 Ripon is in action again on Wednesday evening, followed by the course’s annual ‘Ladies Day’ fixture on the Thursday afternoon (June 18 & 19). Racing starts at 6-50 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, 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. 

 Musical entertainment on Wednesday evening is provided by Trio Gitan, 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. Fashion Shows courtesy of ‘Curvy Bridal’ of Boroughbridge take place during the afternoon on the catwalk in the hospitality marquee, while the renowned ‘Magician to the Stars’, Paul Lytton will be entertaining guests in the marquee. Complimentary hand massages will be given by H2k of Harrogate. Bookings for the ‘Grand Marquee Package’ are being taken by the racecourse. 

 The ‘Best Dressed Lady’ and the ‘Best Hat’ Competitions will take place during the afternoon, with a cash prize of £1,500 up for grabs for the Best-Dressed Lady, who 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 weekend for two at the renowned Best Western Premier Mount Pleasant Hotel near Doncaster, along with a £500 fashion voucher from Yasmine of Bawtry and Epworth and a diamond pendant valued at £2,250 courtesy of lovevintagediamonds.com. The winner of the ‘Best Hat’ award on Thursday will receive a couple of annual badges for the 2015 season at Ripon. 

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 28th year by Beaumont Robinson – independent financial advisers of Shipley.. 

The most valuable race is The Ladies Day 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 Curvy Bridal Boroughbridge Handicap Stakes over one mile and a half. Sprinters take part in 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.

 

Racegoers attending next week’s ‘Champagne Tuesday’ meeting at Thirsk (June 17) will be able to enjoy watching a seven-race programme beginning at 2-20 p.m., along with the action from the opening day at Royal Ascot, which will be shown on the big screen opposite the main stands and also on the closed-circuit televisions in all enclosures. 

Ladies can take part in the ‘Best Royal Ascot Hat’ competition, supported by Adorn Hats of Harrogate and Market Cross Jewellers. Judging will take place at approximately 5-00 p.m. in the Parade Ring. 

Funds will be raised on Tuesday for the ‘Good Night’s Sleep Appeal’ for Martin House Children’s Hospice, which is being supported by BBC Radio York, who will be broadcasting from the course. Thirsk has created a ‘Good Night’s Sleep Appeal’ package at £25 per head, with the racecourse making a donation for every package sold. This includes entry into the Paddock Enclosure, ‘Dish of the Day’ buffet, a pint of beer, glass of wine or soft drink, official racecard and form guide, free car or coach parking and a totepool betting voucher. 

The principal race is a Handicap contest for fillies and mares over one mile – one of three races supported by The European Breeders’ Fund during the afternoon. 

Also featured is The Theakston Best Bitter Handicap Stakes over one mile and a half; sprinters take part in The Market Cross Jewellers Handicap Stakes over six furlongs and The Cardale Asset Management Handicap Stakes is contested over seven furlongs.

 



Racegoers can celebrate ‘Father’s Day’ at Doncaster on Sunday (June 15) – a special day featuring a range of attractions for young racegoers in the Family Enclosure, including appearances by television character Peppa Pig As usual, accompanied children under 18 years of age are admitted free of charge. There are fairground rides, an interactive ‘Kids Love The Races Roadshow’ and the chance for youngsters to join Doncaster’s ‘Young Hooves Kids Club’ and meet the racecourse’s mascot, ‘Archie’. 

Under 18’s are admitted free of charge, when accompanied by an adult.

 To add to the spectacle, there’s also a parachute jump by the RAF’s Parachute Display Team, as part of the fund-raising activities for the RAF Benevolent Fund. 

Racing is set to begin at 2-00 p.m. and it’s a seven-race programme named after the RAF Benevolent Fund. 

‘Summer of Legends’ will also be offering racegoers the opportunity to meet England’s 1966 World Cup-winning goalkeeper, Gordon Banks, along with a replica World Cup tropjy! 

The giant screen, situated opposite the main stands will enable racegoers to see all of the action. A shuttle bus service will be in operation from the railway station. 

  • Racegoers can book tickets to see Yorkshire’s very own internationally-acclaimed band, the ‘Kaiser Chiefs’  live on stage after racing on Saturday evening, June 28 and top performer, James Blunt who will be playing live on stage after the race meeting on Saturday afternoon, August 16. For more information, contact the racecourse or go on-line at www.doncaster-racecourse.co.uk

 

  

Building on 44 years of popularity with racing fans and with the target of reaching £6 million for good causes, Macmillan Charity Day at York Racecourse this Saturday (June 14) promises to be an afternoon of quality racing that also helps good causes. 

Saturday’s principal race is The BetBright Charity Sprint, one of Britain’s richest sprint handicaps for three-year-olds, which offers prize money of £100,000. The roll of honour in this race over six furlongs includes top sprinters such as Cadeaux Genereux and Sheikh Albadou. New sponsors to York this year, the Dublin based BetBright are keen to support the charity and are offering a £10 donation for every new account opened. 

For the third time, the day will end with The Macmillan Charity Race, a chance for twelve supporters to “ride the dream” as they participate in a nine furlong race around the famous Knavesmire. Each has pledged at least £2,500 to the charity and you can help them beat last year’s contribution of over £60,000 by visiting their donation pages on Just Giving. Aged from nineteen to fifty -six the mixed group also represent many walks of life and include the daughter of a Champion Jockey in Gemma Darley and the son of a York Champion Trainer, in Peter Fahey.   

Once again, the charity auction so generously supported over the years is now available to view online in advance of the raceday. This means everyone can place a bid for the thirty stunning lots. A week in Bergerac or a weekend in Paris, or even a Tanzanian Adventure holiday are amongst the travel items, with an array of fine dining experiences and various prestigious racing opportunities.  Bespoke hats, shoes and gentleman’s shirts feature from the fashion world with the chance to make your own chocolate offering one of the more unusual opportunities. Visit the yorkracecourse.co.uk news section for more information on how to make your bid. 

Since 2012, a Listed race has featured on the Saturday racing programme supported once again by Yorkshire-based racehorse owners, Ian and Kate Hall. The Ganton Stakes over one mile offers prize money of £37,000 and provides another reason to attend the day, just by attending, racegoers will increase the money raised for charity.

 Racing on Saturday begins at 2-05 p.m. with the 26th running of The Queen Mother’s Cup, the richest race for lady amateur riders in Britain and a contest won by The Princess Royal in 1988. It offers an opportunity for the successful rider to toast her success in her own weight of G.H. Mumm champagne. 

JCB support a valuable handicap over nine furlongs for the first time. The high standard continues on this Charity Day with The Reg Griffin Appreciation EBF Stallions Maiden Stakes – a contest for two-year-olds named in honour of the founder of this Charity Day in 1971. The Ice Company back a competitive handicap for the second year that denotes their support of Macmillan, a link that was cemented when company director, Polly Marr, rode in in the Macmillan Charity Race last year. The traditional seventh race of the card is once again, The Charles Henry Memorial Stakes. 

Macmillan Charity Day is part of a two-day meeting with racing on the Friday also being backed by Betbright. The day begins with the support of Constant Security and the European Breeders’ Fund for a maiden two-year-olds affair over the minimum trip of five furlongs.  

Neptune Investment Management return to support a handicap contest over the extended ten furlongs to complement their backing of the Group 2 Great Voltigeur Stakes at York in August. The SKF Rous Selling Stakes is supported for the tenth year by engineering company, SKF (UK) Ltd. Then DBS (Doncaster Bloodstock Sales) will bring the excitement of the Sales Ring to the Winner’s Enclosure with an auction straight after the race. The Geoff Pemberton Memorial Stakes, a handicap contest over seven furlongs is held to remember a local racehorse owner and The Garbutt & Elliott Stakes – a handicap race for stayers over one mile and three-quarters shows the link to the course’s audit partners. On a card full of variety, the concluding race is a handicap contest for apprentice jockeys. 

The totepool-supported ‘Punters’ Panel’ takes place prior to racing on both days from the winner’s podium as a preview to the action on each day, while giant screens will provide racegoers with an even closer view of proceedings on the track.

 


 

After the loss of the Hilary Needler Trophy evening meeting last week due to parts of the track being waterlogged, racing on the Westwood is set to resume next Wednesday (June 11) with a seven-race programme scheduled to begin at 2-20 p.m. 

The entire card is supported by racehorsetrader.com, a venture which promotes the buying and selling of racehorses and thoroughbred stock via the internet. The feature race is a handicap contest over the extended mile, while the longest race of the afternoon – a handicap contest over one mile and a half – is part of this season’s Beverley Middle Distance Series – a series which concludes at Beverley’s fixture on Sunday, August 24.

 

The inaugural ‘West Yorkshire Festival Night’ evening meeting next Monday (June 9) gets underway at 6-40 p.m. and celebrates all things West Yorkshire, with stalls providing and promoting local events, food and drink, along with local artists and musicians. Among those represented are Wakefield College, Wakefield Council, Rogerthorpe Manor Hotel, Farmer Copleys and outlets associated with Xscape and Junction 32 Retail Park. 

On the track, The Tony Bethell Memorial Handicap Stakes is a race for stayers over two miles and one furlong which commemorates a former chairman of Pontefract racecourse. This is the third of eight races in the Pontefract Stayers’ Championship, a competition involving races of over two miles at the course during the season, offering bonuses of £3,000 and trophies to the connections of the Series’ winner, based on a points system according to wins and places obtained during the series. Suprise Vendor and New Youmzain lead the way with nine points apiece after their respective victories and the first two races. 

Three-year-old sprinters take part in The Mr. Wolf Sprint Handicap Stakes, a contest over six furlongs named after course specialist, Mr. Wolf, the winner of eight races at Pontefract. In all, he competed in a remarkable 36 races at Pontefract, and he ran his final race at the track in July 2012. 

The opening race of the evening is a contest for maiden two-year-old fillies, supported by Racing Profits Guides Ltd. – The Your Expert Guide To Pontefract At pontefractracecoursetips.co.uk Maiden Stakes. This website is full of statistics regarding racing at Pontefract, helping racegoers to identify potential winners. 

The giant screen situated opposite the main stands will assist racegoers in following all of the action.

 


Doncaster is in action this Saturday afternoon (June 7), with racing starting at 2-00 p.m. There’s an hour’s gap during the seven-race programme, as racegoers can enjoy the build-up to the Investec Derby from Epsom and the race itself on the giant screen and CCTV system. 

Leading bookmaker, Ladbrokes – sponsor of the St. Leger Stakes in September – support all seven races, including a pair of £20,000 contests (a Handicap contest for three-year-olds over the straight mile and a seven-furlongs Handicap).  

The Investec Derby at Epsom is due off at 4-00 p.m. and they’ll be previews of the afternoon’s racing at Doncaster and prior to the Derby in the Winners’ Enclosure. 

After racing, there’s live music in the main hall by UB40 tribute band, ‘The UB40 Experience’, while DJ Donny Delmar will be playing summer tunes on the Champagne Lawn Terrace. 

In addition, darts legend, Bobby George will be in attendance, inviting racegoers to a ‘9 Darts Challenge’ in the main stand. 

Saturday’s meeting is also promoting the work of the Royal British Legion and there will be a parade of the Legion’s Standard-Bearers prior to racing.  

A giant screen situated opposite the main stands will enable racegoers to see all of the action. A shuttle bus service will be in operation from the railway station.

 

 Catterick’s season on the Flat continues this Friday (June 6), when the seven-race programme begins at 1-45 p.m. with a race for maiden two-year-olds supported by The European Breeders’ Fund in conjunction with British Stallion Studs. It’s one of a pair of races on Friday under the auspices of the EBF, the other being a valuable handicap contest for fillies and mares over seven furlongs. 

Middlesbrough-based company, Lionweld Kennedy Flooring Ltd. return to Catterick for the fourteenth year to sponsor a race – a handicap contest for sprinters over five furlongs. Sprinters also take part in The Pin Point Recruitment Handicap Stakes over six furlongs, a race supported by the Newcastle-based recruitment company, who are also regular sponsors at Catterick. 

A giant screen will offer racegoers a close-up view of the action, including racing from Epsom, featuring the Classic race for fillies, The Investec Oaks, which is due off at 4-00 p.m. There’s a selection of attractions for children in the Course Enclosure, along with an indoor play area. There’s also a free return shuttle bus service from Richmond town centre.

 


Ripon’s season continues with a meeting next week on Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday evening (June 3 & 4), starting at 2-25 p.m. and 6-40 p.m. respectively. 

The feature race on Tuesday afternoon is The Wilmot-Smith Memorial Handicap Stakes, a £12,000 contest over one mile, held to commemorate the contribution made by members of the Wilmot-Smith family over the years as directors of the racecourse, which can be traced back to the founding of the Race Company back in 1899. The current chairman of the racecourse, David Wilmot-Smith is the nephew of the late Nick Wilmot-smith, who served as a director between 1946 and 1991.

 The Weatherbys Bank Handicap Stakes (one mile and a quarter) 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 Injured Jockeys Fund 50th Anniversary Celebration 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 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.

 

McCAIN AND MAGUIRE LAND YORKSHIRE JUMPING HONOURS
                                                                       
Cheshire trainer Donald McCain and his stable jockey, Jason Maguire came out on top in their respective categories during the 2013/14 season over Jumps on the Yorkshire racecourses. The competitions involve racing over Jumps at Catterick, Doncaster and Wetherby,
 
McCain secures his second Trainers’ title in Yorkshire with an impressive tally of 23 winners. His nearest rivals were West Yorkshire trainer, Sue Smith with 16 winners, followed by Lambourn-based Nicky Henderson with 14 successes.
 
 It was a close contest in the jockeys’ category, with Maguire taking the Jockeys’ award for the first time, riding 19 winners on the Yorkshire tracks, two more than the 19-times Champion Jockey, A.P. McCoy.
 
The trophies for both categories are provided by Sky Bet and they will be presented to the respective winners at the ‘Go Racing in Yorkshire’ Annual Awards Lunch in December.

                                                   
The ‘Best Dressed Lady’ competition at Wetherby’s recent Ladies’ Evening meeting was won by Annette Knowles from Lowdham, in Nottinghamshire.    

Annette caught the eye of the judges in an elegant Sarah Danielle designed copper coloured dress with matching Bolero jacket and a hat from Eleda Hats in Guiseley, near Leeds, featuring pheasant and sea green feathers.       

The winning outfit was finished off with peep hole heels and clutch bag, both in sea green, and accessorised with pearl jewellery. 

Her prizes included a voucher to the value of £600 to spend with James Brindley Interiors who kindly sponsored the competition, a hand-tied bouquet and a bottle of pink champagne.   

Commenting on her success, Annette, who also won the ‘Best Dressed Lady’ competition at Thirsk last year said: ‘I was completely lost for words when my name was called out, given how lovely all the other ladies looked. I only decided to wear this outfit at the last minute but it looks like I made the right choice.’ 

Annette now goes forward to represent Wetherby in the Grand Final of the ‘Go Racing in Yorkshire Best Dressed Lady 2014’ competition which takes place at Doncaster on Saturday October 25th. The final will feature the winners of all the individual ‘Best Dressed Lady’ competitions held during the hugely popular Ladies’ Day meetings at the county’s nine racecourses throughout the summer.                                                         

 

Annette added: ‘The final last year was such a great event that I’m delighted I will be back again in October. Ladies’ Days are fantastic occasions and I really do encourage ladies to add at least one to their social calendar this summer. If they haven’t been, they don’t know what they are missing.’  

 

The prize for the overall winner is a luxury two night break in a Spa Suite with treatments included at the Best Western Premier Mount Pleasant Hotel in Doncaster, a £500 fashion voucher for Yasmine of Bawtry and Epworth and a fabulously stylish art deco diamond ring valued at £2,250, courtesy of lovevintagediamonds.com.  

The winner will also become the face of Go Racing in Yorkshire for 2015, which promotes racing at the county’s nine racecourses.   

The competition for the best hat was won by Cafolin Campbell of Birmingham who wore a design by Michelle Foley Millinery. Cafolin received a £150 voucher to spend at James Brindley Interiors as well as flowers and champagne.   

The next Ladies’ Day in the county takes places at Ripon on Thursday June 19th. Full details of every Ladies’ Day meeting in Yorkshire can be found at www.goracing.co.uk.

 

York is back in action with the first Saturday of its seventeen day season this weekend (May 31). As with every afternoon at York, the total prize money is into six figures, on this occasion over £160,000 for the seven-race card.

 The first of six Saturday afternoon fixtures this season on the Knavesmire, the day welcomes new sponsors to York, the online betting company, BetBright. A top class contest for sprinters, The BetBright Trophy, which alone has prize money of £50,000; is the first of three valuable contests to receive their backing. 

Pattern race action comes in the form of The Stowe Family Law LLP Grand Cup, a £40,000 Listed race for stayers, a race that has foretold Royal Ascot winners. Once again supported by one of the UK’s largest specialist family law firms, with offices and solicitors in London, Yorkshire and Greater Manchester; this year’s renewal will be used to help raise funds for Pancreatic Cancer UK, a good cause particularly close to Senior Partner, Marilyn Stowe. 

The first phase of the Northern End Development Project, comprising of a new pre parade ring, new saddling boxes, improved vet facilities and a new wash down area will see their first weekend action. Racegoers have even better viewing of the pre parade ring under the new configuration.

 The Yorkshire Regiment, return to put their name to a contest for maiden two-year-olds and away from the track, the Regimental Band will entertain racegoers.

 Another returning supporter, Infinity Tyres, also back a race for horses still seeking their first success on a racetrack. The European Breeders’ Fund also supports both these maiden contests, being amongst eighteen races at York to benefit from their generosity.   

Fresh from their involvement at the Dante Festival, the team behind the inaugural Irish Champions Weekend, support a handicap race over one mile and a half. Racegoers can win a VIP trip to be at both Leopardstown and the Curragh racecourses in mid-September. 

Gentleman amateur riders have their opportunity in the final race of the afternoon, a competitive handicap contest, sponsored once again by York-based John Wright Electrical Services Ltd., who work on matters electrical at the Knavesmire.

 Racegoers will have the chance to get close to a racehorse as Yorkshire based equine charity; New Beginnings are bringing Harry, (a thoroughbred who raced here in 1994 using his professional name of Golden Hello) as well as his friend Meg the pony. 

The relaxed atmosphere of the first weekend fixture is further enhanced with live ‘foot stomping’ music also provided by Murphy’s Marbles, who entertain racegoers in the large courtyard by the Knavesmire Stand.

 As the track looks forward to hosting the start of Day Two of the Grand Départ on Sunday 6 July, there is the chance to win tickets to be back at York to see the spectacle that is the Tour de France. Racegoers just need to name the winner of the two feature races, a feat achieved by just one lucky person during the Dante Festival.  

The totepool ‘Punters Panel’ will preview the action before racing from the winners’ enclosure, while a quartet of giant screens will provide racegoers with an even closer view of proceedings on the track. 

Those who want to find out more about this raceday and the season ahead can visit York’s website on www.yorkracecourse.co.uk

 

 



 

Catterick’s second evening meeting this month takes place on Friday (May 30), when racing is scheduled to begin at 6-40 p.m. 

One of the evening’s feature races is The Leslie Petch Handicap Stakes, held over one mile and a half. The race is so named to commemorate Major Leslie Petch OBE, one of the great administrators of Yorkshire racing in the post-war era. Associated with several local racecourses, particularly Catterick, Redcar and York, Major Petch’s connection with Catterick lasted 35 years, from 1948 until he passed away in 1983. During that time at Catterick, he was manager, clerk of the course (on the Flat), managing director and director. This race is a qualifier in the Catterick Twelve Furlong Series, which culminates in a Final in September. 

Sprinters take part in The Anne & Tony’s 30th Wedding Anniversary Handicap Stakes over five furlongs, a contest which includes prize money of £10,000. Anne and Tony Jacques Morgan are annual members at Catterick. The Gordon William Coleman Selling Stakes is a race for three and four-year-old sprinters. 

The evening’s race for maiden two-year-old fillies is supported by The European Breeders’ Fund, while the opening race is a sprint handicap contest for apprentice jockeys. 

The giant screen will be at Friday’s meeting, enabling race-goers to follow all of the action, musical entertainment is provided by local band, Trio Gitan, while there’s an indoor children’s play area and other attractions for youngters in the Course Enclosure.

 

 

                         

The annual Yorkshire Post Ladies Evening at Wetherby next Thursday (May 29) combines glamour and racing when racegoers can sip champagne, admire the latest collections of six top Yorkshire milliners and fashion designer, James Steward as they showcase their latest collections in the fashion shows on the catwalk between races in the ‘Life & Style’ marquee – which is open to all racegoers – in the Paddock Enclosure. The milliners are Jenny Roberts, Beth Hirst, Justine Bradley-Hill, Marie Halewood, Rhian Kempadoo Millar and Claire Spooner. Wetherby will be rolling out the red carpet for the ladies, although gentlemen are also invited! with the gates opening at 3-30 p.m. and the Fashion Shows starting an hour later. 

This is Wetherby’s final meeting of the 2013/14 Jumps season and the seven-race programme starts at 6-00 p.m. with The Mini Cooper York Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle. One of the main events of the afternoon is the ‘Fashion Stakes’ involving the ‘Best Dressed Lady Competition’, the judging of which will take place during racing in the winners’ enclosure. The competition is supported for the third year by James Brindley, the interior design specialists with stores in Harrogate and Wetherby. They will provide £600 worth of retail vouchers for the winning lady and there are also James Brindley vouchers to the value of £150 for the lady adjudged to be wearing the ‘Best Hat’.  In addition, the winner of the main competition will receive automatic entry into the Grand Final to find Yorkshire’s ‘Best-Dressed Lady Racegoer’ competition held at Doncaster in October, which is the culmination of a special competition linking all of the individual ‘Ladies Days’ staged this summer on the Yorkshire racecourses.

 The highlights on the track are The Yorkshire Post Magazine Handicap Chase, The James Brindley Best Dressed Lady Competition Handicap Hurdle and The Life & Style Novices’ Hurdle. 

A special ‘Racing Ladies’ package is available at £37-50 booked in advance – details can be found on Wetherby’s website www.wetherbyracing.co.uk 

The giant screen will enable racegoers to see all of the action on the track. 

There’s a free shuttle bus service between Wetherby Bus Station and the racecourse prior to racing, with the reverse journey up to an hour after the last race.

 

Redcar Racecourse is going all Willy Wonka for its Zetland Gold Cup this May bank holiday. 

One lucky winner will scoop the top prize on Monday 26th May – the Golden Ticket. 

The golden ticket will upgrade the winner and up to three friends to a day they will never forget at the races, with treats such as VIP entry, having a race named in their honour, presenting the trophy to the winners of their race, as well as VIP dining and much more. 

The Golden Ticket draw is in celebration of the historical Zetland Gold Cup race, one of the most prestigious at Redcar Racecourse and has been run annually since the end of the Second World War.  

The Zetland Gold Cup Day is the first day of a two day meeting with racing also taking place on Tuesday 27th May. The Zetland Gold Cup at Redcar attracts plenty of quality horses and riders and in 2009 the race was won by Kingdom of Fife, a horse owned by Her Majesty The Queen. 

Amy Fair, General Manager at Redcar Racecourse said: “We’re really looking forward to the Zetland Gold Cup meeting. It’s very exciting to give out a Golden Ticket to one lucky winner and we can’t wait to give our race goer to a day to remember!” 

Alongside the six races scheduled to be run on the day the racecourse is also providing a fun filled day for families from local entertainment company stage2 including Disney Princesses, stilt walkers, face painters and bouncy castles.  

Anyone who pre-books tickets for the Zetland Gold Cup raceday by 4pm on Tuesday 20th May will automatically be entered into the draw to win the Golden Ticket, whether they book in person, on line or by phone. 

People can buy their tickets for Zetland Gold Cup Day over the phone on 01642 484068 during office hours or by visiting www.redcarracing.co.uk.  Grandstand admission tickets are £15 and Course Enclosure admission tickets are £5 each, which can also be purchased on the day 

There are also many options from the Dine & View package in the Crow’s Nest Restaurant, to racegoers’ packages including admission, a racecard, food and drink.   

Parties of 10 of more can also save over 20% when they book their Grandstand or Course Enclosure admission tickets in advance.  

Zetland Gold Cup day is the first day of the two day meeting, with racing again on Tuesday 27th May.  On Tuesday there are currently seven races on the card with the first race at 2.20pm and the last at 5.20pm (times subject to change at declaration stage). Gates will open to the public at 12 noon. 

The remainder of the season for 2014 is jam packed with other feature racedays such as Caribbean Carnival, Help For Heroes Family Day and the much anticipated Ladies’ Day. The last feature meeting of the season is the famous Two Year Old Trophy on Saturday 4th October.

 

For more information visit http://www.redcarracing.co.uk/

 

Catterick’s ‘Totepool Day’ this Saturday (May 24) features a couple of Handicap contests over seven furlongs – The Bet On All UK Racing with totepool Stakes offering increased prize money of £20,000 and The Download The totepool Live Info App Stakes. 

There are seven races scheduled on Saturday, set to begin at 2-15 p.m. and the whole programme is supported by totepool, one of the biggest commercial sponsors in British racing. 

A giant screen will offer racegoers a close-up view of the action and there’s a variety of attractions for young racegoers in the Course Enclosure, including bouncy castle and roundabouts, along with an indoor play area. Musical entertainment is provided by the Endeavour Band.

 

   

Beverley’s season continues with ‘A Very British Raceday’ on Saturday (May 24), followed by Hilary Needler Trophy Night the following Wednesday evening (May 28). 

Saturday’s seven-race programme begins at 2-00 p.m. features a pair of Conditions races for sprinters over five furlongs. Colts and geldings line-up for The Brian Yeardley Continental Two-Year-Old Trophy – a race for juveniles – while there should be plenty of speed in The Brantingham Stakes, supported by The European Breeders’ Fund. 

The Happy Birthday Graham Hallett Handicap Stakes is a sprint contest for fillies and mares over five furlongs, while maiden two-year-olds take part in The Cottingham Parks Golf & Leisure Club Maiden Stakes. 

Prior to racing on Saturday, some of the professional jockeys riding during the afternoon will take part in The ‘Donkey Derby’ and to celebrate a quintessential British racecday, racegoers can enjoy cream teas and strawberries on the open top bus and Pimm’s on the lawn. There’s also a jazz band and a ‘Last Night of the Proms’ sing-a-long at the conclusion of racing. For young racegoers in the Course Enclosure, there are performances by Punch & Judy, along with a Coconut Shy and a Hook-a-Duck game. 

It’s the ‘Evening of the Horse’ next Wednesday, starting at 6-30 p.m., featuring The Hilary Needler Trophy – one of Beverley’s best-known races. It’s a Conditions contest for leading two-year-old fillies over the sprint distance of five furlongs. 

Another highlight is The Weatherbys Sports Publishing Conditions Stakes for established sprinters, while The Barry Parker Memorial Handicap Stakes (one mile and a quarter) and a race in this season’s Beverley Middle Distance Handicap Series also take place on Wednesday evening.

 Horse breeds from Shetland ponies to Shires will parade, and there’s a life-size ‘War Horse’ puppet. There’s also the chance to win equestrian jewellery from ‘Sculpture to Wear’

 

 

 

 The first of Pontefract’s trio of evening meetings this summer – ‘80’s Night’ – takes place this Friday evening (May 23). Racing gets underway at 6-30 p.m. with The Heart Breakfast Handicap Stakes over one mile, and the evening concludes with the Glitterball Disco when the action on the track finishes, which includes 80’s drinks at 80’s prices! There’s also an 80’s fancy dress competition with spot prizes to be won. 

For those booking in advance, 1989 admission prices apply, while normal prices apply for those turning up on the night. 

The evening’s racing programme features The Youngsters Conditions Stakes over six furlongs, supported by The European Breeders’ Fund and which offers increased prize money of £18,000. This race is sure to attract some precocious juveniles, which could go on to compete at Royal Ascot. 

Constant Security Services, the company which performs the security duties on racedays at Pontefract, put their name to a couple of competitive handicap races over one mile and a half and six furlongs respectively, while fillies and mares take part in The Alamo Business Systems Handicap Stakes over one mile and a quarter. 

The giant screen situated opposite the main stands will assist racegoers in following all of the action.

 

                                                                   

The penultimate meeting of Wetherby’s season over Jumps takes place next Thursday (May 22), when the seven-race programme begins at 2-00 p.m.  

The feature races are The Racing UK Anywhere Available Now Handicap Chase (a contest for stayers over three miles and one furlong) and The Watch Racing UK On Sky 432 Handicap Hurdle over the extended two miles. 

Locally-based Pristine Cars support a contest for novice hurdlers over two and a half miles. 

Going into this meeting, last year’s Grand National-winning trainer, Sue Smith continues to lead the way to once again be the leading trainer of the season at Wetherby, holding the narrowest of margins over another former Grand National-winning trainer, Donald McCain. Brian Hughes is the top rider so far this term, while Jonathan England is the course’s leading Conditional jockey going into Thursday’s meeting. 

Wetherby’s final meeting of the season takes place the following Thursday evening (29 May) – The Yorkshire Post Ladies’ Evening, starting at 6-00 p.m. 

The giant screen will enable racegoers to see all of the action on the track.

 

 Redcar hosts a seven-race programme on Monday (May 19), scheduled to begin at 2-20 p.m. 

Sprinters take part in the feature race, The Happy 10th Birthday Racing UK Handicap Stakes over five furlongs, while a further highlight is the fourth qualifying race in this season’s Racing UK Straight-Mile Championship Series, a popular handicap series at Redcar which culminates in a Final on Saturday, October 4.                     

The giant screen, situated opposite the main stands, will enable racegoers to see even more action on the track.  

  There’s Bank Holiday action coming up at Redcar, with the annual two-day Bank Holiday Monday and Tuesday meeting taking place the following week (May 26 & 27). Bank Holiday Monday is Zetland Gold Cup Day, and anyone pre-booking a ticket or special package for this day by 4 p.m. next Tuesday (May 20), will be automatically entered for the ‘Golden Ticket Prize’. This is a VIP day out on Bank Holiday Monday, including having a named race and presenting the trophy to the winning owner; a table for four people in the Voltigeur Restaurant for a three-course meal and wine, a luxury gift and racecards.

 

 

Ripon’s annual Family Sunday Meeting takes place this weekend (May 18), when the action at Yorkshire’s ‘Garden Racecourse’ is scheduled to start at 2-10 p.m. (7 races). 

The day focuses on entertainment for the family, with a wide variety of free attractions for children available in the Course Enclosure, along with two playgrounds, ensuring youngsters have a fun-packed day. As usual at Ripon, accompanied children under 16 years of age are admitted free of charge into all enclosures. 

The feature races on Sunday include The C.B. Hutchinson Memorial Challenge Cup, a £13,000 Handicap contest for fillies and mares over the sprint distance of six furlongs, held in memory of Charles Hutchinson who was the managing director and company secretary of the Ripon Race Company Ltd. between 1930 and 1976, while The Ripon, Yorkshire’s ‘Garden Racecourse’ Handicap Stakes over one mile offers prize money of £25,000. 

The Middleham Trainers Association Handicap Stakes (one mile and a quarter) is a further highlight, while a couple of races are sponsored in aid of The Wooden Spoon Society (Yorkshire Region) which funds projects for disadvantaged children and young people. The races are The Wooden Spoon, The Children’s Charity Of Rugby Maiden Stakes and The Premex Services Stirring Children’s Smiles Charity Selling Stakes.

 For the second year, there’s a Handicap race for sprinters held in memory of Barry Taylor, who was a respected local Ripon businessman, who was an annual member of the racecourse for many years.

 There will be musical entertainment during the afternoon from the bandstand, courtesy of the Harrogate Silver Band and racegoers will be able to follow all of the action on the course’s permanent giant screen.

 

 

The third successive Saturday meeting at Thirsk takes place this weekend (May 17) – the annual ‘Irish Day’ at the North Yorkshire track – a seven-race programme scheduled to begin at 2-15 p.m. with a contest for maiden two-year-old fillies – The Irish Stallion Farms EBF Stakes.

 The Irish-themed afternoon includes musical entertainment provided by the foot-stomping band, ‘Murphy’s Marbles’. Once again, the James Herriot Hall in the Paddock Enclosure will have an Irish theme to it.

Sprinters are in the spotlight in the pair of feature races during the afternoon, The Weatherbys Private Banking Handicap Stakes (a contest over five furlongs offering prize money of £20,000) and The Market Cross Jewellers Handicap Stakes over six furlongs.

For the seventh year, The Marion Gibson Brown Memorial Stakes is held at this meeting to remember a lady who enjoyed racing at Thirsk. Saturday’s race is a Handicap contest over one mile. The longest race of the afternoon is The Yorkshire Outdoors Adventure Experiences Maiden Stakes, contested over one mile and a half.

The giant screen, situated opposite the stands will enable racegoers to see even more of the action and there’s entertainment for children in the Family Enclosure.

 For those wishing to watch the FA Cup Final between Arsenal and Hull City, there will be dedicated TV screens showing the action from Wembley

 

As well as enjoying an evening of seven competitive races, beginning at 5-25 p.m., race-goers at Doncaster this Saturday night (May 17) can see ‘Status Quo’ play live on stage after racing, as they return to Doncaster by popular demand. To mark the occasion, the band’s very own Piledriver ale – named after their classic 1972 album – will be on sale in the Exhibition Hall. 

This is the start of the trio of racing concerts this summer on Town moor, with the ‘Kaiser Chiefs’ performing after racing on Saturday, June 28, while James Blunt takes to the stage at the conclusion of racing on Saturday, August 16.

 The racing action on Saturday evening is the third annual ‘Visit Bawtry’ Race Evening – when enterprises based in the local town each support a race in conjunction with The Bawtry Retail Association. They include The Crown Hotel, Glendinning’s Ladies Wear, Robinsons Designer Clothing Boutique, China Rose Cantonese Restaurant, Fine & Country Estate Agency, Caviars Restaurant & Wine Bar, specialist ladies designer fashion boutique, Incognito and Walsh & West Commercial Risks Ltd. 

The giant screen, situated opposite the main stands will enable race-goers to see all of the action. A shuttle bus service will be in operation from the railway station.

 

 
With record-breaking prize money in excess of £6 million on offer during the 2014 season at York– this year’s 17-day campaign gets off to a top quality start with the traditional three-day Dante Festival (Wednesday 14, Thursday 15 and Friday 16 May), with seven races on each day.

 Every afternoon card will be worth a minimum of £100,000, including the opening day of theWelcome to Yorkshire Ebor Festival on Wednesday 20 August which will see the richest-ever race held on the Knavesmire, the Group 1 Juddmonte International Stakes now offering £800,000.

Prize money over the three days of the Dante Festival is also at an all-time high of £1 million the first time it has reached this seven-figure landmark. More than half of the 21 races see their prize value increased. The Festival will showcase the stars of the season ahead, putting significant markers down for the Investec Oaks and Derby at Epsom, Royal Ascot and a return to York in August. 

Over the three days, racegoers will have the chance to see the latest development made over the winter to the northern end of the course.  The new enlarged, flatter Pre Parade Ring sits adjacent to the current Parade Ring with new saddling boxes on two sides.  A new Weighing Room is under construction and on schedule to open in May 2015 at the same time as a new Moet Pavilion. A further phase of the project will see a scheme to showcase the Grade II* Listed John Carr Grandstand which now serves as a champagne bar. 

On the opening day, Wednesday, a pair of Group races, The Tattersalls Musidora Stakes and The Duke of York Clipper Logistics Stakes, are featured.  Top-class three-year-old fillies will be chasing a prize fund boosted to £80,000 (up £5,000) in the Group 3 Tattersalls Musidora Stakes, a leading form indicator for the Investec Oaks next month.  This famous race is supported for the 29th year by Tattersalls, Europe’s leading bloodstock auctioneers.  This race has produced six champion fillies that have gone on to achieve Classic glory. 

The £100,000 Group 2 Duke of York Clipper Logistics Stakes over six furlongs should attract the very best sprinters. Last year’s winner, the Newmarket-trained Society Rock, subsequently finished runner-up in Group 1 company. Several Yorkshire-trained speedsters are sure to be in the line-up for this race supported for the second year by Leeds-based Clipper Logistics, who are assured of a contest as quick as their own delivery schedules. 

The opening race of the Dante Festival sees on-line bookmaker, StanJames.com support a valuable middle-distance handicap contest over one mile and a quarter for the first time. Infinity Tyres return to the meeting, this time to support a valuable handicap race over six furlongs. Novice two-year-olds take their opportunity in a contest under the European Breeders’ Fund banner, while new sponsors, Conundrum Human Resources put their name to a competitive-looking handicap contest for three-year-olds, over seven furlongs.  

The £150,000 Betfred Dante Stakes takes pride of place on Thursday, as the leading Derby contenders stake their claims for Classic success.  This famous Group 2 race is acknowledged as Britain’s premier Derby pre-cursor, having produced nine double winners with a clutch of them in the last decade when Authorized, North Light and Motivator took the honours.  Last year’s winner, Libertarian, trained in North Yorkshire by Elaine Burke, proved to be a fast finishing runner-up on Epsom Downs. 

The Betfred Middleton Stakes, a £100,000 Group 2 race for fillies and mares was won last year by the French-trained Dalkala, ridden by Christophe-Patrice Lemaire in the colours of the filly’s owner/breeder, HH The Aga Khan.  The Betfred Hambleton Stakes is a Listed Handicap over one mile that forms part of the qualification for the feature mile handicap on British Champions Day in October. The opening contest indicates the support of Fred Done for the construction of Jack Berry House, a facility for injured jockeys. The wider charity, Injured Jockeys Fund, celebrates its 50th anniversary and York will show its ongoing support with a donation of £16,000 from the track’s past fundraising to be presented to trustees. 

The European Breeders’ Fund, regular and valued supporters of racing at York, put their name to nineteen contests in all, including a race on all three days of the Dante Festival. Thursday includes the British Stallion Studs EBF Conditions Stakes, a race for three-year-old sprinters. 

The Stratford Place Stud, owned by popular music impresario, Chris Wright CBE, once again supports a contest for maiden two-year-olds, the Stratford Place Stud Chriselliam Memorial EBF Maiden Stakes. The late Chriselliam, owned by Chris Wright, was the brilliant winner of the Grade 1 Juvenile Fillies’ Turf race at last November’s Breeders’ Cup Meeting in Santa Anita, California. The sponsors of the afternoon’s concluding race, Investec, wanted to be involved in an occasion that has so many links to the races they back at Epsom, so they once again support the closing contest, a handicap race for stayers over the extended two miles. 

Friday’s principal race is The Yorkshire Cup, a £140,000 contest for leading stayers over one mile and three-quarters, a valuable and highly-rated Group Two ‘Cup’ race.  Friday’s renewal is a Qipco British Champions Series race, the first of five York contests that are part of this special series of the top races in Britain. Malton trainer, Richard Fahey produced a 25/1 winner of this race last year in Glen’s Diamond, who defeated the French-trained Top Trip by a nose in a tremendous finish. 

A couple of Listed races for fillies are prominent on the final day; two-year-olds take part in The Langleys Solicitors LLP EBF Marygate Stakes, while three-year-olds are catered for in The Irish Champions Weekend Stakes, a contest over one mile supported by Horse Racing Ireland.  The Jorvik Stakes, a £50,000 handicap over one mile and a half; whilst three-year-old sprinters have their opportunity in The Ralph Raper Memorial Stakes, a handicap race over five furlongs. Fillies and mares face the starter in the EBF Stallions Breeding Winners ripleycollection.com Fillies’ Stakes, backed by the Yorkshire-based jewellery company, who products are on sale throughout the season at York. Racing Profits Guides put their name to the final race on Friday, The Racing At York YorkRacecourseTips.co.uk, a middle-distance handicap contest for three-year-olds. This website is full of statistics regarding racing at York, helping racegoers identify potential winners. 

David O’Meara, who is based near Helmsley was the leading trainer at York last season, his first championship on the Knavesmire, one which ended Malton trainer Richard Fahey’s run of seven consecutive York titles in the battle be the Charles Clinkard backed Top Trainer.  The three times Champion jockey, Ryan Moore was the top rider at York last season taking the Living North Magazine Trophy also with ten successes.

 The totepool ‘Punters’ Panel’ will preview the action each day from the winners’ enclosure, while a quintet of giant screens and an investment in flat screens televisions across the site, will provide racegoers with an even closer view of proceedings on the track. 

Further details about the Festival and the season ahead can visit York’s website on www.yorkracecourse.co.uk

 



Beverley’s seven-race programme on Tuesday (May 13) is set to start at 2-00 p.m. and includes this year’s renewal of The Annie Oxtoby Memorial Handicap Stakes – a contest for sprinters over five furlongs – supported by the Oxtoby family of Garton and Century Developments Ltd.

The afternoon’s feature race is The Happy Birthday Graham Roberts Handicap Stakes over the extended mile, while three-year-olds take part in The Colin Hepple – The Gambler Handicap Stakes over one mile and a quarter.

The first of the seven races comprising The Beverley Middle-Distance Handicap Series takes place on Tuesday – a contest for three-year-olds. Runners will accumulate points during this Series of races over one mile and a half according to places obtained. The Series culminates at Beverley on Sunday, August 24, with the owner of then overall winner receiving a bonus of £1,000. This is the fourth year of the Series.

 The giant screen will assist race-goers to follow all of the action on the track.

 

Doncaster’s season on the Flat continues with Betdaq Day on Monday (May 12), a seven-race programme scheduled to begin at 1-40 p.m.
 
Leading sports betting exchange, Betdaq return to Doncaster to support six races during the afternoon, with the feature race being The Betdaq 3% Commission Handicap Stakes over seven furlongs.
 
Racegoers can try their luck on the ‘Betdaq Bull’ in the main betting hall, for £2 per go, with the funds donated to the Injured Jockeys’ Fund. The IJF will also benefit from anyone signing up to a Betdaq account and placing bets on the day.
 
Monday’s opening race is a handicap contest over one mile and a half for gentlemen amateur riders under the auspices of The Amateur Jockeys’ Association of Great Britain.
 
The giant screen, situated opposite the main stands will enable race-goers to see all of the action. A shuttle bus service will be in operation from the railway station.

 

The first of four evening fixtures at Thirsk this summer takes place this Saturday evening (May 10) – the course’s annual ABF-The Soldiers’ Charity Evening Meeting – a seven-race programme beginning at 5-40 p.m.

 Sprinters take part in this year’s renewal of The Dick Peacock Sprint Handicap Stakes over six furlongs, a race held in memory of the former Middleham trainer, one of the leading trainers of his generation, who recorded winners at Royal Ascot and enjoyed considerable success at Thirsk. This race has been won for the last two years by Secret City, trained at Cowthorpe near Wetherby by Robin Bastiman.

 Regular sponsors, Calverts Carpets return to support a handicap race over one mile, while the evening’s opening race, The ABF The Soldiers’ Charity Stakes (a handicap contest for three-year-olds over one mile) draws attention to the Army’s national charity which provides assistance to serving and former soldiers along with their families in times of hardship and need.

 The GT Group, an international organisation at the forefront of engineering design and manufacturing, and whose head office in the UK is in Peterlee, support both the first race and the most valuable contest of the evening, The GT Group Handicap Stakes over one mile and a half.

 The giant screen, situated opposite the stands will enable racegoers to see even more of the action and musical entertainment is provided by The GT Group Band from the music stand in the Paddock Enclosure.

 

 

 

The first of Ripon’s five evening meetings this summer takes place this Friday (May 9), when racing at Yorkshire’s ‘Garden Racecourse’ begins at 5-55 p.m.

To compliment the racing, the course has a first Theakston Mini Beer Festival, with a selection of ales and ciders from the Masham-based brewery on offer in a marquee on the Paddock lawn, along with music by Ed Shakespeare. Competitions regarding tickets, drinks, bets and Theakston’s ‘goodies’ can be found on Ripon’s Facebook & Twitter pages leading up to the meeting.

One of the feature races is The Theakston Of Masham Paradise Ale Handicap Stakes, a contest for sprinters over six furlongs.

Five races on Friday evening are sponsored by Satellite Information Services Ltd., a leading provider of picture and data sources to the racing and betting industry. The company produces live coverage and studio programming for the At The Races channel on Sky Television, which includes the racing action at Ripon.

 Musical entertainment from the bandstand is provided by the Caribbean Steel Band and race-goers will be able to follow all of the action on the course’s permanent giant screen.

 

 

 

The first of Catterick’s pair of evening meetings in May takes place on Tuesday (May 6), when racing gets underway at 6-00 p.m.

 

The feature race of the evening is The yorkshire-outdoors.co.uk Adventure Activities Handicap Stakes over seven furlongs, a contest won last year by Best Trip, trained at Malton by Brian Ellison and ridden by Paul Pickard.

 

For this meeting, Catterick’s Annual Badgeholders can each bring along two complimentary guests to enjoy an evening’s racing.

 

The indoor children’s play area in the Course Enclosure is sure to be popular, while the giant screen opposite the main stands will enable race-goers to follow all of the action. There’s a shuttle bus service from Richmond town centre.

 


 

  Beverley’s annual Bank Holiday fixture on May Day Monday (May 5) features a host of family attractions in the Course Enclosure from when the gates open at noon, including a play area and an animal petting farm with lambs, chicks, piglets and rabbits. The crazy flower stiltwalkers and face-painting are also further attractions, along with ferret racing and Maypole dancing, while youngsters can meet a former racehorse in the care of New Beginnings, a Yorkshire-based enterprise which cares for retired racehorses.   Racing is scheduled to begin at 2-05 p.m., and the highlights on a seven-race programme include The Swan Industrial Drives Handicap Stakes (extended mile), The Peter Walford Memorial Handicap Stakes (one mile and a quarter) and The Strawberry Sprint Stakes – a contest for three-year-old sprinters.   The giant screen will assist race-goers to follow all of the action on the track.  


The totepool Thirsk Hunt Cup heads a seven-race programme at Thirsk on Saturday (May 3) – the first of three successive Saturday fixtures at the course. Racing starts at 1-55 p.m.

 
One of the most competitive and popular handicap races on the Flat in the north over one mile, The Thirsk Hunt Cup is the centre-piece of the afternoon’s action on the track, with every race supported by totepool. Offering prize money of £25,000 the Thirsk Hunt Cup has been a feature race for well over a century and looks sure to attract a good turnout. Last year’s winner, Norse Blues – trained at Maunby near Thirsk by David Barron – returned to Thirsk to land the totepool Thirsk Summer Cup in August.
 
Also featured on Saturday is The totepool Home Of pool Betting Handicap Stakes (seven furlongs), while sprinters take part in The Collect totepool Winnings At Betfred Shops Handicap Stakes over the minimum distance of five furlongs.
 
 There’s musical entertainment during the afternoon from the bandstand in the Paddock Enclosure by ‘Dr.Jazz’ while there are bouncy castles for children in the Family Enclosure, along with the playground. Collections will be made for Yorkshire Cancer Research.
 
The giant screen, situated opposite the stands will enable racegoers to see even more of the action as well as showing racing from Newmarket featuring the first Classic of 2014, the QIPCO 2,000 Guineas.

 


The second consecutive Saturday evening meeting at Doncaster takes place this weekend (May 3). It’s Wraggs Seafoods Evening – a seven-race programme starting at 5-15 p.m.

 

Leeds-based Wraggs Seafoods – part of Collins Seafoods Ltd. – support all seven races, featuring The Pescafria Handicap Stakes (a £19,000 contest for three-year-olds over seven furlongs) and The Arctic Warrior Handicap Stakes (a race for sprinters over six furlongs).

 

Apprentice jockeys take part in the opening race, The Polonus Apprentice Handicap Stakes over one mile and a half, while the longest race of the evening, The Bardi Handicap Stakes is contested over the St. Leger distance of one mile, six furlongs and 132 yards.

 

At the conclusion of racing, ‘Murphy’s Marbles’ will play their Irish brand of music live on stage in the main stand.

 

The giant screen, situated opposite the main stands will enable race-goers to see all of the action. A shuttle bus service will be in operation from the railway station.

 


Redcar’s third meeting of the season takes place on Thursday (May 1), when the seven-race programme gets underway at 1-55 p.m.
 
The feature race is The Redcar Racecourse Conference & Wedding Venue Handicap Stakes (a £10,000 contest over seven furlongs), while Thursday’s card includes another qualifying race in this season’s Racing UK Straight-Mile Championship Series which culminates in a Final on Saturday, October 4. Arrowzone, trained at Tickhill near Doncaster by Garry Moss won the opening race in this series, while Manchestar, trained at Malton by Richard Fahey, was successful in the second qualifier on Easter Monday. Thursday’s race is a Handicap contest for three-year-olds.
 

 


 

The 25th annual Northern Racing College Charity Day Meeting takes place at Pontefract on Wednesday (April 30), starting at 2-10 p.m. At this meeting last year, both Peniaphobia and Remote made their respective debuts. The former went on to win the Weatherbys Super Sprint at Newbury, while the latter landed the Group 3 Tercentenary Stakes at Royal Ascot.

 

This meeting is unique in British racing with races supported by a selection of leading UK bookmakers, as they set aside their commercial rivalry to encourage the grass-roots and future of the sport, along with aiding the fund-raising efforts of The Northern Racing College, which is based at Rossington Hall near Doncaster.

 

The Ladbrokes Mobile Fillies’ Handicap Stakes (a contest for fillies and mares over one mile and a quarter) is the principal race on a card which also includes The Northern Racing College Handicap Stakes (three-year-olds – one mile and a quarter), The Betfred Supports The NRC Handicap Stakes (one mile), The coral.co.uk Handicap Stakes (three-year-old sprinters – six furlongs), The totepool Supports The NRC/Breeders Backing Racing EBF Maiden Stakes (three-year-olds – one mile and a quarter), while the opening contest is a race for maiden two-year-olds over five furlongs, supported by both William Hill and the European Breeders’ Fund.

 

The concluding race on Wednesday is Round Three of a series for young riders this season for the second year – The Go Racing in Yorkshire Future Stars Apprentice Series – held on the eight Yorkshire courses which stage Flat racing and culminating in a Final at Doncaster in November. Wednesday’s race is a Handicap contest over a mile and a quarter. After the first two legs of the series, Megan Carberry leads the way from Jacob Butterfield and Connor Beasley.

 

The Northern Racing College was established in 1984 and operates under the auspices of The British Horseracing Education & Standards Trust, providing full on-site training courses for young people planning to work in racing stables, some of which go on to become jockeys.

 

The ‘Postcode Lottery’ £2 promotion for this meeting concerns those living in the ‘S’ (Sheffield)  region. See Pontefract’s website for details.

 

The giant screen, situated opposite the main stands, will show all of the action on the track

 

Ripon’s second meeting of the season takes place on Saturday (April 26) and the seven-race programme – set to begin at 1-40 p.m. – offers significant prize money of £135,000, an increase of 80% over this meeting last year. This reflects the popularity of the course’s own on-course pool betting operation, RiponBET, which is now in its second season.

 
The highlights of the afternoon include The At The Races Sky 415 Handicap Stakes (a £40,000 contest for stayers over two miles) and a couple of £25,000 races – The Visit attheraces.com/punchestown Handicap Stakes for sprinters over six furlongs and The RiponBET Patent Handicap Stakes over one mile and a half.
 
The action from Ripon is shown on At The Races (Channel 415 on the Sky Television network and Channel 534 on Virgin Media).
 
Race-goers will be able to follow all of the action on the course’s permanent giant screen, along with the main races from the final meeting of the Jumps season from Sandown Park, including the bet365 Gold Cup. There’s musical entertainment from the bandstand provided by the Wetherby & District Silver Band, and a selection of attractions for young race-goers in the Course Enclosure (weather permitting) along with playgrounds in that area and the Paddock Enclosure.


Doncaster’s season on the Flat continues with racing this Friday afternoon and Saturday evening (April 25 & 26), with racing set to begin at 1-20 p.m. and 4-55 p.m. respectively.

 
The Trent Refractories Ltd. 25th Anniversary Handicap Stakes (a contest for stayers over the extended two miles), The Virgin Media Field Sales Talent Chaser Handicap Stakes (three-year-olds over the extended one mile and a quarter) and The Pegler Yorkshire Fillies’ Handicap Stakes (six furlongs) are featured on Friday afternoon.
 
 
Betting information on-line site, freebets.co.uk return to Doncaster to support races over both days, while the internationally-renowned local company, Polypipe support a race for maiden two-year-olds over five furlongs on Saturday evening.
 
 
 Also, after racing on Saturday evening, there’s live music from Beatles tribute band, ‘The Beatles Revolution’ in the main betting hall, in association with freebets.co.uk
 
The giant screen, situated opposite the main stands will enable race-goers to see all of the action. A shuttle bus service will be in operation from the railway station.

 
Beverley’s second meeting of the season takes place next Thursday (April 24), when the seven-race programme is scheduled to begin at 1-55 p.m. with The Beverley Minster Maiden Fillies’ Stakes, a contest for two-year-old fillies.
 
Three-year-olds take part in the feature race of the afternoon, The Happy Birthday Dadie Oughtred Stakes, a Handicap over the extended seven furlongs, named after a long-standing racecourse director, while The Rapid Lad Handicap Stakes (one mile and a quarter) recognises the remarkable achievements of Rapid Lad, a former course specialist over this distance, who won twelve races at Beverley between 1983 and 1989. His owners, Steve and Pam Borsberry will be on hand to present the trophy to the winning owner.
 
 The longest race of the afternoon is The In Memory Of Barry Linley Handicap Stakes over one mile and a half, supported by The Moorends Hotel near Doncaster, while the concluding contest is The Beverley Folk Festival Here In June Maiden Stakes over the extended mile, draws attention to the highly-acclaimed Beverley Folk Festival held at the racecourse over three days on June 20, 21 & 22.

The giant screen will assist race-goers to follow all of the action on the track.

 

The second meeting of Catterick’s 2014 season on the Flat takes place next Wednesday (April 23) – St. Georges’ Day – when the seven-race programme is due to start at 1-30 p.m.
 
To celebrate St. George’s Day, anyone called George, Georgina, Georgie etc. will gain free admission into the racecourse, provided the relevant ID is produced!
 
The feature on Wednesday are The Pin Point Recruitment Handicap Stakes over seven furlongs and the second qualifying race in his season’s Catterick Twelve Furlong Series Handicap Series, which culminates in a £20,000 Final at the course on Saturday, September 20. Brigadoon, trained in Nottinghamshire by Michael Appleby and ridden by Andrew Mullen, recently won the opening qualifying race in this popular series.
 


Wetherby’s annual ‘Community Raceday’ takes in the Easter holiday period next Tuesday (April 22), when the seven-race programme over Jumps is set to begin at 2-05 p.m. Members of the local community in designated postcode areas (see Wetherby’s website for details www.wetherbyracing.co.uk) can use their free Wetherby racecourse Community Card and gain free admission into the Paddock Enclosure.
 
The afternoon’s two main races are a Handicap Chase over the extended two and three-quarter miles and a Handicap Hurdle contest over the extended two miles.
 
The giant screen will enable racegoers to see all of the action on the track.

 

 

The Middleham Stables Open Day celebrates its 21st anniversary this year on Good Friday, April 18, with a host of attractions for horse-racing enthusiasts and families alike.
Fifteen stables will be open to the public, with more than 500 horses for visitors to see, while racing will be screened live from a big screen at the Top Cross in Middleham from 1.45pm.
The star attraction will be “Trooper” Middleham, the popular cavalry horse, who was named after the town. “Trooper” Middleham will help to open proceedings at 9.15am and will then tour the town, before resting at the Manor House Stables of Jason Ward.
Another highlight of the day will be to see legendary Almaty Express, who will be paraded at John Weymes Racing at Ashgill Stables at 11am and 12.45pm.
Robert Beaumont, one of the organisers of the day, said: “Almaty Express is one of the most genuine racehorses the north of England has ever seen. He was bought for less than £4,000 after a selling race at Catterick 10 years ago, and during 143 starts, he won 22 and finished in the first three in a third of them. He is now enjoying a well-deserved retirement”.
Last year’s event raised more than £12,000 despite the bad weather and organisers hope to raise even more for this year’s many charities, including the Yorkshire Air Ambulance and the Household Cavalry Foundation.
Mr Beaumont said: “Last year was hit by terrible weather, with Easter being much earlier than usual. We are hoping for a much milder and warmer day this year to help make the Open day a great success. With the Tour de France passing through Middleham in July, and the continuing interest in Richard III, who had very special links with the town, these are tremendous times for the Newmarket of the North.”
He added: “With 16 stables open, containing some of the best racehorses in the north of England, this year will be one of the biggest and the best in the Open Day’s history. As we are celebrating our 21st anniversary, there is every cause for celebration.”
James Bethell, the chairman of the Middleham Trainers Association, said: “The traditional date for the Stables Open Day had been threatened with the introduction of Good Friday racing this year. However, with the support of Betfair and the Arena Racing Company, who are arranging the live screening of racing from Lingfield and Musselburgh, we are preparing for one of the most enjoyable Open Days of recent years”.
Jim Allen, the director of Arena Racing, added: “We understand that the changes to the racing calendar were controversial to some in racing but we are very pleased to show our support to the Middleham Open Day by ensuring visitors have the opportunity to enjoy the day’s racing as well as making the most of the many attractions on offer”.
Meanwhile a spokesman for Betfair said: “Open Days are an exciting way of allowing existing racing fans, and potential new fans, to see the sport from a unique angle. We are pleased to be part of making this happen”.
William Hague, Conservative MP for Richmond and the Foreign Secretary, said: “Middleham is a tremendous success story and fully deserves its reputation as the finest racing centre in the north of England. We have some phenomenally successful trainers and it is wonderful that they open their yards to so many people. This is a very special day in the racing year”.
Tickets cost £10 per adult, including a souvenir brochure and a chance to win a prize in the programme draw, which includes a signed photograph of top jockey and the 2010 BBC Sports Personality of the Year A P McCoy. Admission for accompanied children under 12 is free.
The yards are open to the public on Good Friday from 9.30am – 1.00pm or 2.00pm. Free parking is available in Middleham or nearby Leyburn, with free bus links between car parks and the outlying stables.  This includes Ann and George Duffield are opening their successful Sun Hill Stables at Constable Burton from 9.30am until 4.30pm.
For more details, visit www.middlehamstablesopenday.co.uk or call 01969 624411.
 
 
 
 

·        Middleham Trainers Opening

 
Central stables: 9.30am until 1.00pm: Chris Fairhurst, Micky Hammond, Ben Haslam, Mark Johnston, Phil Kirby, George Moore and Jason Ward.
Outlying stables: 9.30am until 2.00pm: James Bethell, Karl Burke (closing at 1.00pm), Andy Crook, Patrick Holmes, Ann and George Duffield (until 4.30pm), Jedd O’Keeffe, John Weymes and Noel Wilson.
 

The first meeting of 2014 at Ripon – Yorkshire’s ‘Garden Racecourse’- takes place on Thursday (April 17), when racing is scheduled to begin at 1-55 p.m. with The Eat, Sleep & Drink At The Nag’s Head Pickhill Maiden Stakes, 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 16 days’ racing and Thursday’s programme features The Ripon ‘Cock O’ The North’ Handicap Stakes (a contest over one mile for three-year-olds) and The RiponBET  Silver Bowl Handicap Stakes (one mile and a quarter).
 
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 Malosa Medical Apprentice Handicap Stakes (five furlongs) is sponsored in support of PPR Foundation and is the second leg of a series for young riders on the Yorkshire racecourses this Flat season, The Go Racing in Yorkshire Future Stars Series, now in its second year. After the opening divisions of the First Round recently at Doncaster, Jacob Butterfield and Megan Carberry lead the way.
 
The ‘Cock O’ The North’ refers to the Northern Flat Jockeys’ Championship, which was won last season for the second time by Joe Fanning who once again rode over a century of winners during the campaign.
 
Malton-based Richard Fahey was the top trainer last term at the course, while Graham Gibbons was the leading rider. Both competitions are based on a points system based on winners along with second and third places.
 
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.
 
 


 
The 2014 season at Beverley starts next Wednesday (April 16) – the first of 19 days’ racing on the Flat this year on the Westwood – which includes a trio of evening meetings.
 
To celebrate the Easter holidays, possibly the world’s first ‘Easter Egg Tree’ will be bearing ‘fruit’ of some 500 chocolate eggs for racegoers to pick and take away! Also, giant white rabbit stilt-walkers will keep the youngsters amused.
 
Some £750,000 has been spent on new build and refurbishment of the racecourse facilities over the winter. This includes the creation of Cleverly’s Bistro & Bar, named after the long-serving Beverley stalwart, John Cleverly, who next month, steps down as a Director of the race company. This new addition will enhance the dining experience in the Grandstand & Paddock Enclosure, while the removal of the steppings from the first floor of the Grandstand now affords a spectacular view from the area. In addition, the award-winning Whistlejackets real Ale Bar has been significantly enlarged and refurbished. Local brewery, Wold Top will continue to serve a range of real ales from this bar, including the blend especially brewed for Beverley Racecourse, ‘Race Sauce’.
 
Racegoers will also notice a facelift to the front of the racecourse, where refurbishment work has included re-cladding the rear of the stands along with new signage and the addition of clock towers to the main entrances. The landmark Judges Tower has also undergone renovation and now resembles a clock tower.
 
Last year, Beverley Racecourse was once again victorious at the Racecourse Association Showcase Awards – the only industry-recognised awards – winning the Campaign Award for annual Journal Ladies Day. This year’s event takes place on Wednesday, August 13 and sees Hull’s premier shopping venue, St. Stephen’s, become an official partner to the fashion show.
 
Wednesday’s seven-race programme begins at 1-55 p.m. and the feature race is The World’s First Easter Egg Tree Handicap Stakes, a contest for sprinters over the minimum distance of five furlongs. Racehorse Trader put their name to three races to promote a revolutionary way of buying and selling racehorses and thoroughbred stock via the internet.
 
Two-Year-Olds take part The New Cleverly’s Bar & Bistro Maiden Auction Stakes, while it’s the turn of three-year-olds in The Randall’s Folly Stakes (a Handicap contest over the extended seven furlongs) and The Manor Farm Feeds Fed Woodhouse Pigs (one mile and a half).
 
The giant screen will assist race-goers to follow all of the action, including racing from the Craven Meeting at Newmarket.
 
Once again, Middleham-based Mark Johnston was the leading trainer at Beverley, recording an impressive 15 winners last season, while Paul Mulrennan and Joe Fanning both rode seven winners to be the competition to be the course’s top rider. It was Mulrennan who prevailed, having recorded more placed efforts than his rival.

 


 

 

Britain’s longest handicap race on the Flat – The Pontefract Marathon Handicap Stakes – is featured at Pontefract’s second meeting of the season on Monday (April 14). The seven-race programme is set to begin at 2-10 p.m. with a contest for maiden two-year-old fillies.
 
 The Pontefract Marathon Handicap Stakes is contested just over two miles, five and a half furlongs and forms the second leg of this season’s Pontefract Stayers’ Championship, a series which incorporates all of the eight races for stayers during the season at Pontefract. Freddie Tylicki has ridden the winners of the last two runnings of this race (Kazbow last year) and Mr. Crystal (2012).
 
Sprinters have their opportunity in the most valuable race of the afternoon, The RIU Palace Meloneras Handicap Stakes over six furlongs offering prize money of £20,000. This contest is named after a hotel in Gran Canaria frequented on holiday by Norman Gundill, Pontefract’s Managing Director and Clerk of the Course. The first and second in last year’s race, the Yorkshire-trained pair of York Glory and Galician, both went on to record significant Heritage Handicap victories at Ascot – the Wokingham Stakes at the Royal meeting in June and the International Handicap in July respectively.
 
The ‘Postcode Lottery’ promotion for this meeting concerns those living in the YO (York & District region). See Pontefract’s website for details.
 
The giant screen will show all of the action on the track.

 
  
The opening meeting of the 2014 season at Thirsk takes place on Saturday (April 12) – the first of 15 days’ racing at the popular North Yorkshire track. The seven-race programme begins at 2-15 p.m. and forms part of the national 50th anniversary celebrations of the Injured Jockeys’ Fund.
 
Locally-based former trainer, Jack Berry MBE, Vice-President of The IJF will – prior to racing – officially open the new Premier Enclosure facilities at the course, The Thomas Lord Dine & View Restaurant and The Shrimp & Stirrup Seafood Bar.
 
Berry is the guiding light behind ‘Jack Berry House’, the state-of-the-art rehabilitation centre for northern-based jockeys which is being constructed in Malton and which is due to open later this year. The racecourse will be making a donation to ‘Jack Berry House’ and funds will be raised on Saturday in general for the IJF.
 
Saturday’s most valuable and longest race is The New ‘Thomas Lord Dine & View Restaurant’ Handicap Stakes over one mile and a half, offering prize money of £20,000. Thomas Lord, who was born in Thirsk in 1755, was the founder of Lord’s Cricket Ground in St. John’s Wood, London– regarded as the most famous cricket ground in the world.
 
The European Breeders’ Fund support The ebfstallions.com Michael Foster EBF Conditions Stakes over seven furlongs. The late Michael Foster was a long-standing chairman of Thirsk Racecourse.
 
Musical entertainment during the afternoon is provided by jazz band, ‘The Gershwin Gang’ and for younger racegoers, there are bouncy castles and the playground in the Family Enclosure.
 
The awards for the top trainer, jockey and apprentice rider during the season at Thirsk continue to be sponsored by Green’s Farm Supplies Ltd. Last year’s winners were David Barron, Paul Mulrennan and Connor Beasley respectively. Presentations will be made to them during the afternoon.
 
 The giant screen, situated opposite the stands will enable racegoers to see even more of the action as well as showing racing from Ayr featuring the Scottish Grand National and the action from Newbury.
 
Looking forward to a new season, Thirsk’s General Manager & Clerk of the Course, James Sanderson said “It’s all systems go for what should be a tremendous start to our 2014 campaign on Saturday. I’m sure our new facilities will be well received as we raise the profile and provide donations for a very worthy cause, ‘Jack Berry House’.”

 

                                                                                              

Wetherby’s annual ‘Family Day’ Sunday meeting takes place this weekend (April 13), featuring plenty of action on and off the track, including a host of family attractions in the Course Enclosure and the ninth running of The Sue Ryder Mascot Gold Cup organised by Yorkshire Young Farmers in aid of various charities, in particular Sue Ryder Care, the national healthcare charity. It’s the largest mascot race in the world and is supported by the White Rose branch of Foresters – the international financial services organisation. Over £100,000 has been raised for charities since the Mascot Gold Cup was introduced in 2006.
 
 There will be a parade of the Mascots in the Parade Ring prior to racing (including a pre-race ‘warm-up’ session!), and they will race over the final furlong of the track in front of the grandstands after the opening race. There are six small ‘fences’ to be negotiated and anything can happen! 82 mascots took part in last year’s race, which was somewhat controversially won by ‘flAsh’ representing the Sue Ryder shop in Keighley.
 
The National Festival Circus has three 45-minute performances free of charge during the afternoon, while other attractions for youngsters include inflatable Fun Fair rides, Slides, Bouncy Castles, Barrel Train, fairground rides, climbing tower, face painting and a Petting Farm.
 
The gates open at 11-30 a.m. and accompanied children under 17 years of age will be admitted free into all enclosures.
 
The seven-race programme begins at 2-10 p.m. and features The New Racing UK Anywhere Available Now Handicap Chase over three miles and one furlong (the longest race of the day), and The Royal Pigeon Racing Association Handicap Hurdle for lady riders.
 
Musical entertainment is provided by ‘Murphy’s Marbles’
 
The giant screen will enable racegoers to see even more of the action on the track, supplemented by an additional screen located near the Parade Ring.

 
 
Catterick’s 2014 season on the Flat begins next Wednesday (April 9) – the first of 17 scheduled days’ racing on the level this year at the North Yorkshire course.
 
Racing on Wednesday begins at 2-20 p.m. and the seven-race programme features the first qualifying race Catterick Twelve Furlong Series – now in its second year – which culminates in a £20,000 Final at the course on Saturday, September 20. Wednesday’s race is a Handicap contest offering prize of £10,000.
 
To coincide with the schools holidays, there’s a selection of attractions of children in the Course Enclosure, such as the indoor play area, face painting, bouncy castles and free mini eggs – while stocks last!
 
The giant screen situated opposite the main stands will enable racegoers to follow all of the action.
 
Catterick’s Top Trainer and Jockey Awards on the Flat, supported last year by The Nag’s Head at Pickhill were won by David O’Meara and Graham Lee respectively, while Raul da Silva was the course’s leading apprentice jockey.
 


 

 

                                          

There are no increases in admission prices for the fourth successive year, as Pontefract’s 16-day 2014 season starts on Tuesday, April 8. The cost of annual membership remains the same at £190 (single) and £255 (Joint) for a campaign which will once again offer prize money in excess of £1 million. This means that four of the five Listed races during the season will continue to be worth £40,000 and the EBF Flying Fillies’ Stakes on Sunday, August 17 provides prize money of £50,000 as it continues to be the richest race of the programme.
 
The ‘Loyalty Card’ scheme will continue for a fourth year and will feature in the racecards during the first meetings of the season. The scheme enables patrons who pay to enter the Grandstand & Paddock Enclosure for six meetings and get the card stamped each time, free entry to another meeting of their choice later in the season. The number and variety of inclusive ‘Packages’ is maintained, while new for this year is the ‘Full Ponte’ Package, which includes admission to the Grandstand & Paddock Enclosure, a pen, a bet, a placepot & jackpot form, sandwich, slice of cake and coffee, voucher for a pint of beer, lager or glass of wine, a racecard and a copy of the Racing Post – all for £24 inclusive of VAT.
 
Last year saw the overall attendance figure up by just over 10% over the previous season, while gate receipts rose by over 7%.
 
Once again, there are several ‘themed’ racedays, starting with the 25th annual Northern Racing College Day (Wednesday, April 30) and followed by a new 80’s Night’ (Friday evening, May 23); all things local will be celebrated on ‘West Yorkshire Festival Night’ (Monday evening, June 9); ‘Midsummer Tea Party Day’ (Tuesday, July 8); ‘Red Shirt Night’ – incorporating a Beer Festival – and celebrating the 50th Anniversary of The Injured Jockeys’ Fund (Friday evening, July 18) and ‘Ladies Day’ (Wednesday, August 6). The trio of Sunday fixtures (June 22, July 27 & August 17) continues to have strong family themes. Information packs for young racegoers and paddock commentaries will all be added to the usual family attractions on the three Sunday fixtures. All of these days have pre-booked special offers and packages regarding discounts on combinations of entrance, food and drink.
 
The racing programme once again features five established Listed races – The totepool Pontefract Castle Stakes (Sunday, June 22), The Weatherbys VAT Services Pipalong Stakes (Tuesday, July 8), The Sky Bet Pomfret Stakes (Sunday, July 27), The EBF Flying Fillies’ Stakes (Sunday, August 17) and The totepool.com Silver Tankard Stakes on the final day of the season, Monday, October 20.
 
The Pontefract Stayers’ Championship, which incorporates all eight races for stayers during the season (i.e. races of at least two miles) continues for the eleventh year. Riptide – trained in Herefordshire by Michael Scudamore – took the honours last year. A points system operates throughout the competition, based on places obtained during the season. The owner, trainer and stable staff of the horse accumulating the most number of points each receive a memento and £1,000 presented on the final day of the season in October.
 
 

 

LEGENDS ARE FORGED AT PONTEFRACT

 
Notable horses to win at Pontefract last year include Brown Panther (owned by former England footballer, Michael Owen), the winner of the totepool Pontefract Castle Stakes for a second successive year, who went on to win the Group 2 Goodwood Cup and finish eighth in the Emirates Melbourne Cup – Australia’s most famous race; Libertarian won the High-Rise Maiden Stakes in April, before landing the Group 2 Dante Stakes at York and finishing runner-up in the Derby and fourth in the St. Leger. Fireship won the Sky Bet Pomfret Stakes in July and went on to Group 3 success at Deauville in France; Gifted Girl lived up to her name when winning the Weatherby VAT Services Pipalong Stakes and then was second in the famous Grade 1 Beverly D Stakes at Arlington Park, Chicago; Artistic Jewel was runner-up in a Group 3 race at the Curragh after being successful in the EBF Highfield Farm Flying Fillies’ Stakes in August; Elidor – third to Libertarian in April – went on to win the King George V Stakes at Royal Ascot; York Glory and Galician – first and second in a valuable Handicap contest in April – went on to win the Wokingham Stakes at Royal Ascot and the International Handicap at Ascot respectively.
 
Peniaphobia won a race for maidens on his debut in the early part of the season prior to landing the Weatherbys Super Sprint at Newbury; Remote ran in another race for maidens on the same day before winning a Group 3 race at Royal Ascot; Treaty Of Paris prevailed in a race for maidens in July before being successful in the Group 3 Acomb Stakes at York. Lady Heidi took the EBF totepool Silver Tankard Stakes in October and the filly has an entry in this season’s Group 1 Irish Oaks at the Curragh in July.
 
Silvestre de Sousa was Pontefract’s leading rider last season with 13 winners, while Malton-based Richard Fahey was once again the course’s top trainer, this time with ten winners.
 
The giant screen will be at every meeting providing racegoers with an even better view of the action on the track, along with racing from the ‘away’ meetings. There will be an extra screen at the three Sunday fixtures and the trio of evening meetings.
 
Several projects have been completed or are underway, including the horsewalk from the stables to the racecourse, which has been upgraded at a cost of £43,000; a new totepool & Betfred Betting Hall is being constructed, costing £360,000. This imposing building includes an impressive concourse and will greatly add to the racegoing experience. Also, work is underway to replace the old Owners & Trainers entrance adjoining the Winning Post with a new facility at a projected cost of £48,000.

 

 

Pontefract’s opening meeting of 2014 takes place next Tuesday (April 8) with a seven-race programme starting at 2-10 p.m. – the first of 16 meetings at the course this year.
 
Prior to racing, the newly-constructed Betting Hall will be officially opened by Paul Lee, Chairman of the Horserace Betting Levy Board, while the upgraded owners & trainers entrance adjacent to the Winning Post will be in use for the first time.
 
The afternoon’s most valuable race is the New Betting Hall Handicap Stakes over one mile and a quarter, a £20,000 contest which should attract several quality middle-distance horses.
 
The High-Rise Median Auction Maiden Stakes (three-year-olds – one mile and a quarter) is named after the 1998 Derby winner, High-Rise, who was successful at this equivalent meeting that year prior to winning at Epsom. Last year’s winner, Libertarian almost emulated High-Rise, when he went on to be runner-up in the Derby, after winning the Dante Stakes at York in May. He also occupied fourth place in last year’s St. Leger Stakes at Doncaster.
 
The eleventh Pontefract Stayers’ Championship is launched with The Jamaican Flight Handicap Stakes, a contest over two and a quarter miles. Named after one of the most consistent stayers seen at Pontefract in recent years, Jamaican Flight, this race is the start of a competition which incorporates all eight races for stayers during Pontefract’s season. Riptide, trained in Herefordshire by Michael Scudamore took the honours last year. There are bonuses totaling £3,000 on offer throughout the series for the connections of the horse accumulating the most number of points when the Championship concludes in October,
 
Tuesday’s card begins with The Pontefract Loyalty Card Handicap Stakes over one mile. For the fourth year, a ‘Loyalty Card’, will be printed in the racecards during the first meetings of the season in April, May and June. This scheme enables racegoers who pay to enter the Grandstand & Paddock enclosure at these meetings – and get the card stamped each time – free entry to another meeting of their choice later in the season.
 
Also, Pontefract’s ‘Postcode Lottery’ scheme has been extended to cover the Yorkshire region those attending Tuesday’s meeting who have a HG Postcode (Harrogate & District) can take part in the promotion by pre-booking for forthcoming designated meetings costing only £2 into the Grandstand & Paddock Enclosure. See the racecourse website for further details on how to book www.pontefract-races.co.uk
 
Last year, the racecourse held a staff reward scheme to members of the raceday staff who displayed excellent customer service, and there will be presentations to the recipients on Tuesday.
 
The giant screen, situated opposite the main stands, will assist racegoers in following all Tuesday’s action.



 
Redcar’s 2014 season on the Flat gets off to a flying start on Monday (April 7), with a seven-race programme set to begin at 2-20 p.m. It’s the first of 18 meetings this year at Redcar, and one of Monday’s feature races is the first qualifying race in this year’s Redcar Straight-Mile Championship Series under the Racing UK banner, which culminates in a Final on Saturday, October 4.
 
Redcar’s general manager, Amy Fair said “We are delighted to be launching our new season on Monday, which coincides with the holidays for most local schools. It’s no secret that Tees Valley faces severe economic challenges, and as a result, we haven’t increased general admission prices for seven years.
“However, we have continued to invest in our facilities, the most obvious being the new Saddling Boxes by the Parade Ring. With the exception of racecourses that occasionally give free admission on quieter days, we are pleased to be able to say that that we offer the more affordable days’ racing in Britain. We’re providing a family day out on our racedays from £10 or under for two adults and accompanied children aged under 16.”
 
 There are bouncy castles in the Family Enclsoure, while the giant screen, situated opposite the main stands, will enable racegoers to see even more action on the track.
 
·      Redcar’s traditional Easter Monday meeting is also a seven-race card on April 21, starting at 2-10 p.m. Children under 16 years of age are invited to take part in the racecard cover colouring competition for Easter Monday, with the winning design featuring on the front of the racecard. Entries must be received by next Tuesday (April 8) and full details can be obtained on the racecourse website www.redcarracing.co.uk


 
APRIL 2014
 
 
 
The Crabbie’s Grand National takes centre-stage this month, and a year on since Auroras Encore became the first Yorkshire-trained winner of the world’s most famous race over Jumps for 53 years, his trainer, Sue Smith – based at High Eldwick near Bingley – could be gunning for more Aintree glory with both Mr. Moonshine and Vintage Star, now that Auroras Encore has been retired after being injured at Doncaster in January.
 
The big race takes place on Saturday, 5th and for the first time, there’s total prize money of £1 million up for grabs in this marathon over almost four and a half miles with 30 unique spruce fences to be negotiated.
 
It looks as if last year’s winning rider, Ryan Mania will be on board Mr. Moonshine, a convincing winner at Warwick in February and who runs in the same ownership as last season’s 66/1 winner Auroras Encore. Vintage Star runs in the colours of Trevor Hemmings, the owner of two previous Grand National winners – Hedgehunter (2005) and Ballabriggs (2011). Cape Tribulation, the 2012 Rowland Meyrick Handicap Chase winner at Wetherby for Malton trainer, Malcolm Jefferson, could also take part in the ‘National’, while another recent Wetherby winner, Rose Of The Moon could represent David O’Meara, who is based at Nawton near Helmsley. More renowned for training big race winners on the Flat, O’Meara sent out Mont Ras to win at Meydan racecourse in Dubai in February. Tidal Bay is set to carry top-weight in the Grand National and although now trained in Somerset by Paul Nicholls, the 13-year-old is well known in Yorkshire racing circles, having won the last two renewals of the Grade 2 West Yorkshire Hurdle at Wetherby.
 
This month sees several of the county’s tracks begin their respective campaigns on the Flat for 2014, with Redcar kicking-off their seasonon Monday, 7th. The seaside course is in action a fortnight later with the traditional Easter Monday meeting (21st), which has a range of family attractions. There’s a trio of fixtures at Pontefract – Tuesday, 8th, Monday, 14th (featuring the Pontefract Marathon Handicap Stakes – Britain’s longest handicap race on the Flat) and Wednesday, 30th (Northern Racing College Day).
 
Catterick now focusses on the Flat, with meetings at the North Yorkshire track on a couple of Wednesdays (9th and 23rd); the sole meeting at Thirsk is on Saturday, 12th, while racing on the Westwood at Beverley in East Yorkshire is primed for Monday, 16th and Thursday, 24th.
 
Yorkshire’s ‘Garden Racecourse’ Ripon opens its doors on Thursday, 17th, followed by a Saturday afternoon card on the 26th.
 
Doncaster hosts a ‘double-header’ on Friday afternoon and Saturday evening (25th & 26th) – the second leg being the first of 26 evening meetings this summer in Yorkshire.
 
The variety of racing in the county is emphasised with action over Jumps at Wetherby’s annual ‘Family Day Sunday’ on the 13th, featuring the ninth running of ‘The Mascot Gold Cup’, described as the largest mascot race in the world; an event organised by Yorkshire Young Farmers in aid of various charities, in particular Sue Ryder Care and supported by the White Rose York branch of Foresters.
 
The mascots will limber up in the parade ring prior to racing and then race over the final furlong of the track in front of the grandstands after the opening race. There are about half a dozen ‘fences’ to be negotiated and it can be complete chaos! Over 80 mascots took part in last year’s race, representing many football clubs, sporting organisations and businesses. There’s a variety of attractions for youngsters, especially in the Course Enclosure, including performances by the National Festival Circus.
 
There’s a further meeting over Jumps at Wetherby on Tuesday, 22nd.
 
The annual Middleham Stables Open Day takes place on Good Friday (18th), when many stables in the historic North Yorkshire town are open to the public. It’s a great opportunity to take the family to see the equine stars of the Yorkshire racing scene, while you can also mingle with trainers and jockeys.
 

 

Gary Mahon won the inaugural Go Racing in Yorkshire Future Stars Apprentice Series last year and the race is on to find this year’s champion, with the launch of the 2014 series of races for young riders taking place on the opening day of the British Flat season on Turf at Doncaster on Saturday, March 29.
Spread throughout the season and covering the rich variety of Flat courses in Yorkshire and over distances from five to fourteen furlongs, young riders will be tested to the full and the overall winner will have certainly have earned the title Go Racing In Yorkshire Future Star after the final race back at Doncaster on the last day of the Turf season.
Points are awarded for riders finishing in the first six in each race. Although scheduled to be a nine-race series, all divisions of any race will count.
The winning rider will be sponsored by Go Racing In Yorkshire in 2015 and will also win a cash prize of £1,500 plus a further £500 in equipment.
They will also be able to take part in promotions with Go Racing in Yorkshire in 2015, helping to maintain their profile at what is a critical time in the careers of most young jockeys, while the public will be able to follow their exploits via a blog on the Go Racing In Yorkshire website.
Go Racing in Yorkshire chairman John Sexton commented: “We are very excited about this series, now in its second year, as we believe it is essential that the sport continues to encourage and inspire young riders to develop into the star jockeys of tomorrow.
“The Go Racing in Yorkshire Future Stars series has been carefully selected. It opens at Doncaster in March with a race open to apprentices who have not ridden more than 50 winners, enabling everyone to have a chance to get points on the board.
“After that, races are graded with the next two restricted to apprentices who have not ridden 10 winners, giving a chance to the more inexperienced riders to get a foothold in the competition before stepping up to races restricted to 20 winners, 25 winners and back to 50 winners for the last three races in the series at York, Catterick and Doncaster.
“We believe it gives every young apprentice in Britain the chance to showcase his or her skills and to claim the title of ‘Go Racing In Yorkshire Future Star’”.
 
Last year’s winner was Gary Mahon, who was with Great Habton (Malton) trainer Tim Easterby when claiming the title, but is now based with Wiltshire trainer, Richard Hannon.
Looking forward to this season’s series of races, Gary said “Winning last year’s Go Racing In Yorkshire Future Stars series has provided a big boost to my career and confidence. I’ll be aiming to retain my title by riding in as many races as I can.”
The programme of races in the Go Racing in Yorkshire Future Stars series, with winner restrictions in brackets, is:-
March 29              Doncaster           10f          (50)
April 17                                Ripon                    5f            (10)
April 30                                Pontefract          10f          (20)
June 24                 Beverley              5f            (25)
July 20                  Redcar                  14f          (25)
August 1              Thirsk                    6f            (25)
September 7      York                       12f          (50)
October 18          Catterick              14f          (50)
November 8       Doncaster           7f            (50)
The points scoring system puts the emphasis on winning races with 18 for a win, nine for second place, six for third, three for fourth, two for fifth and one for sixth. In the event of a race being abandoned, all apprentices declared to ride at the time of the abandonment will receive two points.

John Sexton added: “We hope all trainers will get behind their apprentices and continue to support this series. We look forward to some thrilling contests in the months ahead

 
Doncaster hosts the eagerly-awaited start to the 2014 British Flat Season on turf with the two-day William Hill Lincoln Meeting this Saturday and Sunday (March 29 & 30). There are seven races on both days with the action on Saturday beginning at 1-30 p.m., while Sunday’s programme – Mother’s Day Family Fun Day – starts at 2-15 p.m.
 
The William Hill Lincoln Handicap – a famous Heritage Handicap over the straight mile which traditionally begins the new Flat season – is the highlight on Saturday, offering prize money of £100,000. One of the main betting heats of the British season, the race was first held at Doncaster in 1965, and the last two winners – Levitate (last year) and Brae Hill (2012) – are both trained at Malton and are likely to feature in Saturday’s renewal. Indeed, Levitate will attempt to become the first horse to win back-to-back victories in the race since Babur achieved the feat in 1957 & 1958 at the now-defunct Lincoln racecourse. Brae Hill finished a very close third in last year’s race. Also prominent in the ante-post betting market is Whispering Warrior, the recent winner of  the Lincoln Trial on the All-Weather surface at Wolverhampton.
 
Saturday’s action also features The William Hill Spring Mile – the £45,000 ‘consolation’ race for horses entered for, but eliminated from the big race, while the Cammidge Trophy, a Listed race for talented sprinters over six furlongs under the William Hill banner, is named in honour of a former chairman of Doncaster Racecourse and Mayor of Doncaster, the late Albert Cammidge OBE.
 
 The opening on Saturday is The Doncaster Mile, a Listed race supported by William Hill, while precocious two-year-olds make their debuts on turf in the Brocklesby Conditions Stakes – the traditional contest at this meeting for juveniles under the patronage of William Hill.
 
Other highlights on the opening day are The Park Hill Hospital Universal Maiden Stakes for three-year-old and The Harriet De-Vere Powell Handicap Stakes for apprentice jockeys. The latter race launches The ‘Go Racing in Yorkshire’ Future Stars Apprentice Series – a series of nine races for young riders on the Yorkshire courses, now in its second year – which concludes at Doncaster in November.
 
William Hill also put their name to three races on Sunday, including The Doncaster Shield – a Conditions contest over one mile and a half. The Crown Hotel Bawtry supports a middle-distance handicap race for gentleman amateur riders, while maiden three-year-olds take part in The John Smith’s Maiden Stakes. The Brain Tumour Research Handicap Stakes (three-year-olds) and The Universal Recycling Handicap Stakes are both held over the extended one mile and a quarter.
 
To celebrate the start of the Flat season, the Doncaster racecourse team are championing the ‘Flat Cap’ by donning William Hill-branded flat caps. During the opening day, over 1,000 limited edition flat caps will be distributed to racegoers, who will be invited to upload photos of themselves wearing the headgear to the William Hill Twitter page using the designated hashtag #TheFlatIsBack – the best ones will get re-tweeted and have the chance to win an iPad mini.
 
At the conclusion of racing on Saturday, Kasabian tribute band, ‘Kazabian’ will perform live on stage in the ground floor of the main Lazarus Stand.
 
In recognition of Mothering Sunday, families are very much to the fore on Sunday with a host of attractions for young racegoers, including appearances by Katsuma and Poppet from the Moshi Monsters.
 
The giant screen, situated opposite the main stands will enable racegoers to see all of the action. A shuttle bus service will be in operation from the railway station.

 
                                                                                                          
Wetherby’s season over Jumps continues with ‘Wear a Hat Day’ this Friday (March 28), when the seven-race programme is scheduled to start at 2-20 p.m.
 
It’s the third annual ‘Wear A Hat Day’ Wetherby has staged in support of Brain Tumour Research, with spot prizes for the best hats worn by racegoers, along with a raffle with the top prize being tickets to the following week’s Crabbie’s Grand National Meeting at Aintree.
 
Staff and officials are being encouraged to wear headgear of any kind and a selection of Yorkshire-based milliners will be on hand to give advice and encouragement.
 
The main races are The Evans Halshaw Harrogate Handicap Chase (extended two and three-quarter miles), The Permit Holders Association Handicap Chase (extended two and a half miles) and The ROA Owners Jackpot Handicap Hurdle over the extended two miles.
 
The latter race title draws attention to a special bonus scheme for owners who are members of The Racehorse Owners Association. It’s a national scheme promoting ownership of racehorses, incorporating twelve midweek meetings throughout the UK – Friday’s meeting being one of them. There’s a jackpot fund of £10,000 to be distributed on Friday to ROA members whose horse or horses win any of the seven races.
 


                                                                                                           
Wetherby’s season over Jumps continues with a meeting next Tuesday (March 18), when the seven-race programme is scheduled to start at 2-10 p.m.
 
The feature races are The New racing UK Anywhere Available Now Handicap Chase over the extended two and a half miles and The Follow @wetherbyRaces on Twitter Handicap Chase – a contest for stayers over three miles and one furlong.
 
Last year’s Grand National-winning trainer, Sue Smith, who is based at High Eldwick near Bingley, once again leads the way in the competition to be Wetherby’s top trainer this season as she attempts to retain her title, while Jason Maguire has a narrow advantage in the jockeys’ category from Brian Hughes, as he ,too, bids to retain his crown.
 
Wetherby is next in action on Friday, March 28 – the annual ‘Wear A Hat Day’ in aid of Brain Tumour Research.

The final Jumps fixtures of the season at both Doncaster and Catterick take place in the opening week of this month, followed on a national basis by the prestigious Cheltenham Festival – showcasing the champions of the Jumps season – while it’s back to Doncaster for the traditional start of the new British Flat season on turf. Wetherby’s campaign over Jumps also continues with a couple of meetings.
 
The 2014 British Flat season on turf gets off to a full weekend’s start on Doncaster’s Town Moor with a two-day meeting on Saturday and Sunday, 29th & 30th. The principal race on Saturday is The William Hill Lincoln Handicap. This highly-competitive Heritage Handicap over the straight mile is the first major race of the new campaign on the Flat, with the maximum number of 22 runners competing for a total prize fund of £100,000 as owners, trainers and jockeys attempt to begin the new campaign in the best possible way.
 
Yorkshire-trained horses have won the last two runnings of this race, with Levitate, trained at Malton by John Quinn taking the honours last year, returned the 20/1 winner. He could well take part in this month’s renewal.
 
 The Lincoln Handicap has been held at Doncaster since 1965 following the demise of racing at Lincoln racecourse the previous year. The origins of the race can be traced back to 1853 at the now-defunct Lincolnshire track.
 
The main supporting races on a fine Saturday card at Doncaster are The William Hill Spring Mile (a valuable ‘consolation’ race for those horses entered for, but balloted out of the ‘Lincoln’) and a pair of Listed races – The Cammidge Trophy for sprinters and The Doncaster Mile. Apprentice jockeys take part in the First Round of the ‘Go Racing in Yorkshire’ Future Stars Apprentice Series; it’s the second year of this special series of races for young riders on the Yorkshire courses and which culminates in a Final at Doncaster in November. Gary Mahon was the winner of last year’s inaugural series.
 
The action on Sunday at Doncaster includes attractions for children and the feature race is The Doncaster Shield – a Conditions race over one mile and a half.
 
On the opening day of this month (Saturday, 1st) Doncaster’s Jumping season concludes with a classy programme, featuring The William Hill Grimthorpe Chase over three and a quarter miles and offering prize money of £50,000 along with a trio of £20,000 races.  The ‘Grimthorpe’ could attract some Grand National contenders. After racing on Saturday, there will be a free Cheltenham Festival preview with a specially-selected panel located in the main Lazarus Stand.
 
Catterick’s Jumps season finishes on Wednesday, 5th, featuring the course’s only Hunter Chase while there’s action over Jumps at Wetherby on Tuesday, 18th and Friday, 28th ( ‘Wear A Hat Friday’ in aid of Brain Tumour Research).
 
For Jump racing fans, this month’s Cheltenham Festival represents the apex of the sport – four days of tremendous action beginning on Tuesday, 11th. Some of the best-known and prestigious prizes in Jumping will be fought over at the famous Gloucestershire venue – a natural amphitheatre for racing over Jumps. Yorkshire-based trainers such as Sue Smith, Brian Ellison Malcolm Jefferson and John Quinn could have contenders at the Festival.
 
The Stan James Champion Hurdle is featured on the first day of the Festival. The 2011 and 2013 hero, Hurricane is in the mix to retain his crown against a clutch of young pretenders such as The New One and My Tent Or Yours. Former Doncaster winner, Sprinter Sacre is fancied to land Wednesday’s BetVictor Queen Mother Champion Chase for a second successive year – provided he has overcome an irregular heartbeat which occurred in a race over Christmas. On Thursday, the brilliant Big Buck’s attempts to win The Ladbrokes World Hurdle (a contest for the best staying hurdlers) for a remarkable fifth time. He missed last year’s race because of injury and it remains to be seen whether or not he has retained his brilliance at this level.
 
On the final day of the Festival – Friday – the ‘Blue Riband’ of Jump racing, The Cheltenham Gold Cup is very much the centre of attention. The current champion, Bobs Worth heads the ante-post betting market, followed by Silviniaco Conti, a former winner of Wetherby’s most prestigious race of the season, The bet365 Charlie Hall Chase.
 
As far as international racing is concerned, the world’s richest race, The Dubai World Cup takes place on Saturday, 29th at the magnificent futuristic Meydan racecourse.
 
  • York has announced record prize money of £6 million during the 17-day season on the Knavesmire which begins with the three-day Dante Festival on Wednesday, 14th May.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 
Doncaster’s season over Jumps comes to a quality climax with a two-day meeting this Friday and Saturday (February 28 & March 1), with the feature race on Saturday, The William Hill Grimthorpe Chase having an excellent record of attracting the very best stayers in the business, including possible Grand National contenders.
 
After racing on Saturday, racegoers will also have the opportunity of attending a special Cheltenham Festival preview in the Lazarus Stand (Conduit Suite) straight after racing, when At The Races presenter, Simon Mapletoft will host a panel of experts including Jump jockey, Brian Hughes and Sean Quinn, assistant to his father, Malton trainer, john Quinn, who is set to have runners at the Festival – including possibly last week’s winner at Doncaster, Pearl Castle – who could be a contender in the JCB Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham. Other panellists include form expert, Roger Hart and Andy Holding of William Hill Radio.This preview is free of charge to all racegoers attending on Saturday.
 
A Handicap contest over three and a quarter miles, The William Hill Grimthorpe Chase offers prize money of £50,000 and last year’s winner was Quentin Collonges, who went on to win the bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown Park on the final day of the Jumps season in April. Other recent notable winners include Run For Paddy in 2005, who went on the following year to win the Scottish Grand National, while Amberleigh House, who finished in seventh place nine years ago, had won the previous season’s Grand National at Aintree. Also, the 2004 winner, Grey Abbey, went on to land the Scottish Grand National.
 
The ‘Grimthorpe’ heads a strong seven-race programme on Saturday, starting at 1-45 p.m. with a contest for Novice Chasers supported by Park Hill Hospital. Also featured is the second running of a Listed race at this meeting – a Novices’ Hurdle contest for fillies and mares over the extended three miles – one of four races sponsored by William Hill. The Saint Gobain Weber Handicap Chase and a Novices’ Hurdle are further highlights. Total prize money on offer on Saturday is £124,500.
 
There are also seven races on Friday beginning at 2-10 p.m. with every race supported by sports betting exchange company, Betdaq.
 
Also, after racing on Saturday, there’s live music in the main betting hall from Midlands four-piece band, ‘Mellow Rebellion’.
 
The giant screen, situated opposite the main stands will enable racegoers to see all of the action. A shuttle bus service will be in operation from the railway station.

 
 
  TUESDAY ACTION AT CATTERICK
 
The penultimate meeting of Catterick’s season over Jumps takes place next Tuesday (February 25). The seven-race programme is scheduled to begin at 2-20 p.m. with a Handicap Hurdle contest for lady amateur riders.
 
The Easby Abbey Handicap Chase (two miles) is the afternoon’s feature race, the title of which remembers Easby Abbey, a top-class hurdler (who was runner-up in the 1973 Champion Hurdle to Comedy Of Errors) and successful over fences in the Massey-Ferguson Gold Cup at Cheltenham in 1976. He was owned and bred by Mrs. Gwen Blow and her grandson, Clive Simpson is supporting the race.
 
The Cheltenham Preview Evening 28th February Novices’ Chase is contested over the extended three miles and one furlong and the title refers to the special Cheltenham Festival Preview Evening at Catterick on Friday evening, 28th February in aid of Racing Welfare. Tickets costing £10 for the evening can be obtained from the racecourse and this includes a pie & pea supper. There’s also a cash bar. The panel is chaired by local racing personality, Bill Warby and includes North Yorkshire-based first season trainer, Rebecca Menzies, Racing Post journalist, David Carr and racing pundit, Andy Gibson.
 
The EPDS Racing Welfare BTO Series 2014 Handicap Hurdle – a contest for stayers over the extended three miles and one furlong – is the second race in a national series. The EPDS Racing Welfare Best Turned-Out Series held at racecourses throughout the UK in support of racing stable staff. The Series culminates at Huntingdon in December. The person responsible for the best turned-out horse in Tuesday’s race will receive a £50 prize and an EPDS Racing Welfare gilet. A points system for stable staff operates throughout the Series.
 
The giant screen, situated opposite the main stands, will enable racegoers to enjoy even more of the action. There is a shuttle bus service from Richmond town centre one hour before racing begins and returning after the last race.


 
 
Doncaster’s Jumping season continues with a seven-race programme on Wednesday (February 19), starting at 1-45 p.m. ‘Golden Oldies’ take centre-stage in the feature race, a Veterans’ Chase supported by Betdaq – a leading sports betting exchange. This contest for ten-year-olds and upwards over three miles has prize money of £18,500 and should attract some well-known contenders. Last year’s race included Auroras Encore, who went on to win the Grand National at Aintree. Trained near Bingley in West Yorkshire, Auroras Encore has recently been retired due to injury.
 
Altogether, Betdaq sponsor five races on Wednesday, including the opening race – a Novices’ Hurdle contest in conjunction with the European Breeders’ Fund (a qualifier in a national series which culminates in a £60,000 Final next month at Sandown Park). The CGA Foxhunter Trial Hunters’ Chase could include contenders for the Foxhunter Chase at next month’s Cheltenham Festival – a race sponsored by CGA (The Country Gentleman’s Association), while Satellite Information Services (SIS) support a National Hunt Flat Race for young horses about to begin their careers over Jumps.
 
The giant screen, situated opposite the main stands will enable racegoers to see all of the action. A shuttle bus will be in operation from the railway station.
 
Doncaster racecourse’s very own free Cheltenham Festival Preview takes place in the Lazarus Stand after racing on Saturday, March 1 – William Hill Grimthorpe Chase Day.
 


                                                                       
Wetherby’s season over Jumps continues next Tuesday (February 18) with a seven-race programme, starting at 1-45 p.m.
 
Members of the Racing UK Racing Club will be in attendance, with three races named after the dedicated racing channel which shows all of the action from Wetherby on Sky television – Channel 432.
 
The most valuable race of the afternoon is The Yorkshire Post Ladies Evening – 30th May Handicap Chase – a £10,000 contest for stayers over three miles and one furlong.
 
The European Breeders’ Fund and The Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association combine to support a Novices’ Handicap Chase for mares over the extended two and three-quarter miles.
 
The giant screen situated opposite the stands will enable racegoers to see even more of the action.

  
 
Racing at Catterick on Monday (February 10) is scheduled to begin at 1-50 p.m. with the twin highlights being The Weatherbys Hamilton Insurance Novices’ Handicap Chase and The Weatherbys Private Banking Handicap Chase – both races contested over the stayiong distance of the extended three miles and one furlong. These two races are supported by Weatherbys, a famous organisation based in Wellingborough which provides many services to the racing industry, both administrative and commercial.
 
For this meeting, annual members at Catterick can bring along two guests who will be admitted free of charge.
 
The giant screen, situated opposite the main stands, will enable racegoers to see all of the action on the track. There is a shuttle bus service from Richmond town centre one hour before racing begins and returning after the last race.
 
There may be an earlier start to Monday’s meeting if a race divides at the declaration stage.


 
Doncaster’s meeting next Thursday (February 6) – Eventmasters Day – is scheduled to begin at 1-20 p.m.
 
For the second year at this meeting, one of the UK’s leading and longest-serving corporate hospitality companies, Eventmasters (whose Head Office is in Birmingham) support all bar one of the afternoon’s seven races, including a trio of £10,000 races over fences.
 
The afternoon’s contest for novice chasers could include the 2012 champion hurdler, Rock On Ruby, a leading contender for the Racing Post Arkle Chase at the Cheltenham Festival in March.
 
The European Breeders’ Fund supports a race for Novice Hurdlers under the British Stallion Studs banner – a qualifying race in a national series under the auspices of the EBF – which culminates in a £60,000 Final at Sandown Park in March.
 
 The giant screen situated opposite the main stands will enable racegoers to see all of the action. A shuttle bus will be in operation from the railway station.

    
                                                                                                           
‘Medieval Day’ at Wetherby this Saturday (February 1) celebrates one of the feature races of the season at the track, The totepool Towton Novices’ Chase (a Grade 2 contest for stayers), a race named after the nearby Battle of Towton in 1461 – acknowledged as the bloodiest battle ever fought on English soil – a major conflict in the ‘Wars of the Roses’
 
Saturday’s seven-race programme begins at 1-00 p.m. and the Medieval theme to the afternoon includes a living history re-enactment group showcasing archery, falconry, a medieval kitchen and music from the era.
 
A special ‘1461 Package’ – bookable in advance – includes Paddock Enclosure admission, racecard, a £2 tote bet, a pint and a bap from the Hog roast.
 
 Supported once again by totepool, The Towton Chase has an impressive roll-call of winners, such as Wayward Prince, Weird Al, Kornati Kid, Heltornic, Ollie Magern, Royal Emperor, Keen Leader, Arctic Camper, Kadou Nonantais, Escartifigue and Mr. Mulligan (who went on to be the 1997 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner). Last year’s winner, Goulanes, competed in this season’s Welsh Grand National at Chepstow.
 
Totepool also put their name to three other races, including a valuable Handicap Chase over the extended two and a half miles. while the opening race is The Wilmot-Smith Memorial Novices’ Hurdle – a contest which commemorates brothers Nick and Pat Wilmot-Smith – long-standing directors of the Wetherby Steeplechase Committee. In fact, the late Nick Wilmot-Smith served on the racecourse committee for 59 years and was chairman between 1968 and 1996.
 
The CGA Foxhunter Trial Open Hunter Chase over three miles and one furlong is also featured, providing a link to The CGA Foxhunter Chase at the Cheltenham Festival in March.
 
A giant screen, situated opposite the main stands, will enable racegoers to enjoy even more of the action, including Betfred Day from Sandown Park.
 
There’s a free shuttle bus service between Wetherby Bus Station and the racecourse from 11-30 a.m., operating every 20 minutes. The bus will run shuttles on the return journey up to an hour after the last race (due off at 4-30 p.m.).

 
 
York Racecourse has announced a third consecutive year of growth in prize money, to a new record of over £6 million, for the seventeen day season which begins on Wednesday 14 May 2014.  This increase amounts to over £200,000 more than the already record investment of last season and a boost of over 20% since 2011. The benefits will be felt across the range of contests staged on the Knavesmire from Group Ones to handicaps for horses building their careers.
 
The richest race ever staged at York will be the Group One Juddmonte International, the showpiece of the opening day of the Welcome to Yorkshire Ebor Festival on Wednesday 20 August when the top middle distance horses in the world will compete for a record £800,000 (up by £50,000) and the chance to join a roll of honour that includes the mighty Frankel.
 
On every day of the Welcome to Yorkshire Ebor Festival the feature contest will receive a boost, which, when combined with other increases, will see the cumulative value of the twenty five races run between Wednesday 20 and Saturday 23 August post another record at £3,365,000.  This represents an increase of nearly £150,000 with all contests offering £30,000 or more to connections.
 
Probably the most famous race at York, the Betfred Ebor itself, will be cemented as the richest flat handicap in Europe by the addition of £15,000 to the prize pot making it worth £265,000.
 
The race to receive the joint biggest boost will be the City of York Stakes. This highly regarded Listed contest will double its prize money to £100,000 – making it the seventeenth race at York with a six figure prize fund.  Previous winners of this seven furlong contest include subsequent Group 1 winner Gordon Lord Byron and Yorkshire dynamo, Quito. It will also move within the Festival programme to become a further highlight of Friday 23 August. The Group Three Strensall Stakes will switch to provide a high quality middle distance race on Ebor Saturday.



 
A further Listed race to receive a boost as well as a poignant name change is the Galtres which will be called The EBF and Sir Henry Cecil Memorial Galtres Stakes; benefiting from both the ongoing backing of the European Breeders’ Fund and support from members of the family of the much missed champion trainer. This one mile four furlongs race for fillies, now offering £60,000, will be part of the course’s tribute to the legendary late master of Warren Place who sent out Eva Luna (1996), Upend (1988) and Startino (1986) to win this race.
 
Overall prize money at the Dante Festival (14, 15 and 16 May) will reach a landmark of  seven figures for the first time, as more than half of the races see their prize value increased. The Tattersalls Musidora will offer £80,000 (up £5,000) to connections of the leading filly seeking to follow the six champions who have tasted subsequent classic glory.
 
There are 115 races scheduled for York in the 2014 season. Aside from the self-funded evening fixture which is treated differently in terms of levy funding, all remaining racedays have a prize fund of at least £100,000, a feature race worth at least £25,000 and no contest worth less than £10,000.
 
Speaking about the prize money increases, the Chairman of York Racecourse, Lord Grimthorpe, said, “I am delighted York is able to continue to invest in prize money and develop the race programme on the Knavesmire. The aim is to continue to attract the very best horses to York and to stage competitive, compelling racing action. As with all of these investments, they are only possible because of the unstinting support of the owners, sponsors, partners, racegoers, punters and our commercial operations. I believe this investment, coupled with continuing improvements in facilities at York, means that we can look forward to the season ahead with great enthusiasm.”

 
 
 Catterick’s season over Jumps continues with a seven-race programme this Friday (January 31), which is set to begin at 1-10 p.m.
 
The feature race, The New Racing UK Anywhere Available Now Handicap Chase, is contested over two and three furlongs and offers prize money of £12,000. The European Breeders’ Fund supports a race for Novice Hurdlers – a qualifying contest in a national series under the auspices of the EBF – which culminates in a £60,000 Final at Sandown Park in March.
 
Friday’s longest race is The Watt Fences Handicap Hurdle over the extended three miles and one furlong.
 
This meeting coincides with the Chinese New Year, which is ‘The Year of the Horse’, and a quantity of ‘fortune cookies’ will be distributed to racegoers!
 
The giant screen, situated opposite the main stands, will enable racegoers to enjoy even more of the action. There is a shuttle bus service from Richmond town centre departing at 11-45 a.m. and returning after the last race.

GO RACING IN YORKSHIRE
FEBRUARY 2014

 

 
Wetherby stages a ‘Medieval Raceday’ on the opening day of the month (Saturday, 1st), to highlight the afternoon’s feature race, The totepool Towton Novices’ Chase. Leading novice chasers will be advertising their credentials when they participate in this Grade 2 contest for up-and-coming chasers.
 
Acknowledged as the bloodiest battle ever fought on British soil, The Battle of Towton in 1461 was a cataclysmic event in the ‘Wars of the Roses’ and took place only a few miles from Wetherby. It resulted in a Yorkist victory and almost 553 years later, the battle is commemorated at this meeting with living history re-enactments, battle demonstrations, archery, falconry and live music, making it a full day out for the family.
 
Recent winners of the ‘Towton’ include Goulanes (last year), Wayward Prince and Weird Al (who went on to win Wetherby’s other Grade 2 Chase of the season, The Bet365 Charlie Hall Chase). Other notable winners of this race include Mr. Mulligan (successful in the first running in 1996, who went on to land the Cheltenham Gold Cup just over a year later), while Halcon Genelardais (the 2006 winner) and Miko De Beauchene (runner-up in 2007) both went on to win the Welsh Grand National in those respective years. The other meeting this month at Wetherby takes place on Tuesday, 18th.
 
Catterick hosts a couple of midweek fixtures this month on Monday, 10th and Tuesday, 25th, with the North Yorkshire track sure to attract plenty of runners.
 
Doncaster is in action on Thursday, 6th, while ‘Golden Oldies’ have their opportunity at the South Yorkshire track on Wednesday, 19th when horses aged ten or more take part in the main race on Town Moor, The Veterans’ Handicap Chase over three miles. Last year’s race included Auroras Encore, who fell at the second fence; just over six weeks later, he went on to win the Grand National for West Yorkshire trainer, Sue Smith.
 
The Jumps season at Doncaster concludes with a two-day fixture on Friday and Saturday (28th & 1st March). The big race on the Saturday, The William Hill Grimthorpe Handicap Chase could well attract some Grand National contenders.
 
The new Yorkshire Racing Season Ticket for 2014/15 begins on March 1st; anyone interested can obtain details on www.goracing.co.uk or call (01937)580051. Costs are £325 (single) and £540 (joint) for over 180 days’ racing until 28th February 2015.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 
Doncaster’s principal meeting over Jumps, the two-day Sky Bet Chase Meeting this Friday and Saturday (January 24 & 25), features the most valuable race of the Jumping season on Town Moor – The Sky Bet Chase on Saturday – which offers prize money of £75,000. It’s the likely target for last season’s Grand National winner, Auroras Encore (trained near Bingley in West Yorkshire by Sue Smith), as part of his preparations to defend his crown at Aintree on April 5. This major race is complemented by a trio of Grade 2 races on Saturday afternoon, along with a valuable handicap chase making the amount of prize money on offer during the day in excess of £200,000.
 
The Sky Bet Chase is a Handicap and Listed race over three miles and was first held at Doncaster in 1948 as The Great Yorkshire Chase. A quality turnout is expected for Saturday’s renewal, including potential Cheltenham Festival and Grand National contenders. Possible runners in the big race, along with Auroras Encore could be Sam Winner, Court By Surprise, Hadrian’s Approach, Unioniste and recent Doncaster winners, Mart Lane and Night In Milan.
 
Saturday’s seven-race card starts at 12-25 p.m. and the three Grade 2 races are The OLBG.com Doncaster Mares’ Hurdle (a £36,500 contest over the extended two miles), The Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle (a £27,500 race for staying hurdlers over the extended three miles historically known as the River Don Novices’ Hurdle) and The Racing Post Lightning Novices’ Chase (a contest over the extended two miles with prize money of £30,500). The latter race could include the 2012 champion hurdler, Rock On Ruby.
 
The £22,500 TRM-Excellence In Equine Nutrition Handicap Chase over the extended two miles is also featured on Saturday; the opening race is The Sky Bet Handicap Hurdle, while the afternoon’s concluding race is a contest on the Flat for young horses about to begin their careers over Jumps, contested by fillies and mares and supported by both Park Hill Hospital Doncaster and The European Breeders’ Fund.
 
Sky Bet, one of the U.K’s leading horseracing, gaming and sports betting companies sponsor at this meeting for the twelfth year and support all seven races on Friday including the feature race, a Handicap Hurdle contest over the extended three miles. Racing on Friday starts at 1-10 p.m.
 
After racing on Saturday, there’s live entertainment available for all racegoers on the ground floor of the Lazarus Stand by renowned Coldplay tribute band, ‘Coldplace’.
 
The giant screen, situated opposite the main stands will enable racegoers to see all of the action. A shuttle bus service will be in operation from the railway station.
 
  • There’s also live entertainment and a free Cheltenham Festival preview available to racegoers after racing on Grimthorpe Chase Day – the final day of the Jumps season at Doncaster on Saturday, March 1.
 

 

 
Catterick stage a seven-race programme over Jumps next Wednesday (January 22) set to begin at 1-10 p.m. with The BHEST Racing To School Novices’ Hurdle. The race title refers to the ‘Racing To School’ initiative by The British Horseracing Education & Standards Trust – a registered charity which brings youngsters racing as part of the National Curriculum with local schools.
 
The feature races are The Scorton Handicap Chase over two miles, offering prize money of £12,000 and The racinguk.com Handicap Hurdle, a £10,000 contest over two miles and three furlongs.
 
The giant screen, situated opposite the main stands, will enable racegoers to enjoy even more of the action. There is a shuttle bus service from Richmond town centre departing at 11-30 a.m. and returning after the last race.

                                                                       
Wetherby’s season over Jumps continues next Tuesday (January 21) with a seven-race card which gets underway at 12-20 p.m.
 
The feature race is The Star Sports Cheltenham Preview Night – 3rd March Interactive Handicap Chase over three miles and one furlong. The race title draws attention to the special Cheltenham Festival preview evening at the racecourse on Monday, 3rd March which is hosted by racing commentator Darren Owen and includes a panel headed by former Jump jockey now racing broadcaster, Niall Hannity.
 
The totepool Medieval Day – Saturday 1st February Novices’ Chase is contested over the extended two and a half miles and the title is a reminder of Wetherby’s next meeting which features the Grade 2 totepool Towton Novices’ Chase.
 

The giant screen situated opposite the stands will enable racegoers to see even more of the action


 
The popularity of the sport of horseracing in Yorkshire was emphasised by the fact that the nine racecourses serving the county attracted just over one million racegoers last year.
 
The warm summer months and a relatively mild conclusion to the year meant that very few meetings were lost to the weather and once again the ‘Go Racing in Yorkshire’ Summer Festival in July proved to be a big draw for racing fans, with over 100,000 attending the week-long event. This was complimented by the first-ever Winter Festival in December.
 
A delighted chairman of ‘Go Racing in Yorkshire’, John Sexton said “Topping one million racegoers on our racecourses during 2013 was a fantastic achievement and I couldn’t be more thrilled.
 
“It was a sensational year for racing in Yorkshire, with a memorable ‘Go Racing in Yorkshire’ Summer Festival which attracted great crowds, a very competitive first ‘Future Stars’ Apprentice Series (won by Gary Mahon), nine wonderful ‘Ladies Days’ capped off by the Final at Doncaster in October and last, but not least, an extremely successful first-ever ‘Go Racing in Yorkshire’ Winter Festival which helped tip the aggregate attendance over the one million mark.
 
“Racing in Yorkshire is going from strength to strength and bouyed by these figures, we can look forward to 2014 and beyond with real confidence”.
 

 
 
   
 Wetherby’s first meeting of 2014 is set to take place this Saturday (January 11) – ‘Christmas Jumper’ Day – when race-goers can give their Christmas jumpers a last (or only!) official outing to obtain entry into the Paddock Enclosure for just a tenner. There’s also a prize for the ‘Best turned-out Jumper’!
 
Saturday’s seven-race programme begins at 12-30 p.m. with a qualifying race in this season’s European Breeders’ Fund Novices’ Hurdle Series. The first four horses in this contest over two and a half miles will be eligible to compete in the Final of this national series at Sandown Park in March.
 
The feature race is The Download The New racing UK iPad App Handicap Chase, contested over two miles and offering prize money of £18,500. Last year’s race was won by Dunowen Point, one of three winners ridden that day by Jason Maguire. Another highlight is The wetherbyracing.co.uk Handicap Hurdle over two and a half miles.
 
 Four-year-old fillies take part in the final contest, a race on the Flat for young horses about to begin their careers over Jumps, known as a Bumper Race. This race is held over an unusual shorter distance of one mile and five furlongs.
 
The giant screen will be situated opposite the main stands, complemented by a display screen serving the parade ring area, enabling race-goers to see the big-race action from Kempton Park and Warwick.
 
There’s a free shuttle bus service between Wetherby Bus Station and the racecourse from 11-00 a.m., operating every 20 minutes. The bus will run shuttles on the reverse journey up to an hour after the last race (due off at 3-55 p.m.).

 
 NORTH YORKSHIRE GRAND NATIONAL DAY AT CATTERICK ON THURSDAY
 
The North Yorkshire Grand National – the longest and most valuable race of Catterick’s season over Jumps – heads a seven-race programme next Thursday (January 9), which begins at 12-40 p.m.
 
This Handicap Chase for stayers over three and three-quarter miles offers prize money of £20,000 and was won last year by Chac Du Cadran, trained in Lincolnshire by Chris Bealby and ridden by Tom Messenger. The race may attract one or two horses which could be entered for The John Smith’s Grand National at Aintree on Saturday, April 5. The winning owner will receive The Denys Smith Challenge Trophy, presented by the man who trained Red Alligator to win the 1968 Grand National from his base near Bishop Auckland. Mr. Smith was the champion trainer over Jumps during the 1967/68 season, and was a leading dual-purpose trainer, recording a remarkable 146 winners at Catterick (89 on the Flat and 57 over Jumps). Now aged 89, he regularly attends meetings at Catterick and his daughter, Susan, is the racecourse’s Administration Manager.
 
Thursday’s card also features The W.L. & Hector Christie Memorial Trophy (a Novices’ Handicap Chase) over two miles offering increased prize money of £12,000. The race commemorates William Christie and his son, Hector. William Christie passed away in 1962 at the age of 103. Educated at Eton and Oxford, his family were land-owners in Wensleydale. In the Victorian era, he was an amateur rider, and rode winners in six different countries! Known as ‘The Squire of Jervaulx Abbey’, William Christie owned racehorses until he was 100 years old and he served as a steward at Catterick. His son, Hector trained Fortina (owned by Lord Grimthorpe) to win the 1947 Cheltenham Gold Cup.
 
 The giant screen, situated opposite the main stands, will enable racegoers to enjoy even more of the action.

 
WEDNESDAY MEETING BEGINS DONCASTER’S 2014 CAMPAIGN
 
 
Doncaster’s opening meeting of 2014 takes place on Wednesday (January 8) – the first of 36 racedays this year on Town Moor.
 
Wednesday’s seven-race programme is set to begin at 12-40 p.m. with The Pegler Yorkshire Handicap, followed by The 1stsecuritysolutions.co.uk Maiden Hurdle.
 
The remaining five races are supported by Freebets, including the most valuable race of the afternoon, a Novices’ Chase over two miles and three furlongs, offering prize money of £10,000. This race last year was won by Overturn, who went on to compete in Grade 1 races at both the Cheltenham Festival and the Grand National meeting at Aintree.
 
 The giant screen situated opposite the main stands will enable racegoers to see all of the action. A shuttle bus will be in operation from the railway station.

 
 
 DONCASTER’S ‘SPROUT-FREE’ SUNDAY PROGRAMME IS FINAL DAY OF THE GO RACING IN YORKSHIRE WINTER FESTIVAL        
 
 
Doncaster’s season over Jumps continues over the holiday period with the ‘Sprout-Free’ New Year Meeting on Sunday (December 29) – a seven-race programme, set to begin at 12-10 p.m. (Gates open 10-00 a.m.)
 
This meeting is the final day of the inaugural Go Racing in Yorkshire Winter Festival
 
The largest amusement business in the UK, Quicksilver, support four races, including the feature races – a Handicap Chase over three miles and a Handicap Hurdle contest over the extended three miles. Three-year-old fillies take part in the opening race – a Juvenile Maiden Hurdle contest under The Throughbred Breeders’ Association banner; Novice hurdlers have their opportunity in a Handicap race sponsored by The Crown Hotel Bawtry, while Park Hill Hospital support a Handicap Hurdle contest for fillies and mares.
 
There’s a variety of special pre-booked packages on offer, including a ‘Sprout-Free’ Family Package for £25 which includes Grandstand admission for two adults, racecard and pie and peas for two. Children go free and there’s also free parking.
 
There’s the chance to win an overnight stay at The Crown Hotel Bawtry along with tickets to Sky Bet Chase Day at Doncaster in January in a special competition held throughout the Go racing in Yorkshire Winter Festival and the leading trainer and jockey during the Festival will be presented with their respective awards in the competitions supported by Raithwaite Hall Estate near Whitby. Racegoers can have their picture taken in a full-size Snow Globe, and there will be a preview of racing in the winners’ enclosure, while former jockey, Niall Hannity provides Paddock commentaries prior to each race.
 
The giant screen situated opposite the main stands will enable racegoers to see all of the action, while a shuttle bus will be in operation from the railway station.

 
 

 
 
Catterick stages competitive action over Jumps during the forthcoming holiday period, with meetings on Saturday, December 28 and New Year’s Day, Wednesday January 1, as the course sees out the Old Year and welcomes in the New Year. Racing on both days begins at 12-30 p.m. (gates open at 10-30 a.m.)
 
Racing on Saturday is scheduled to begin at 12-30 p.m. The most valuable race is The Come Racing New Year’s Day Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase over two miles, offering prize money of £15,000. Racegoers arriving early will be offered mulled wine and mince pies.
 
Saturday’s card is part of the inaugural Go Racing in Yorkshire Winter Festival which concludes at Doncaster the following day (December 29).There’s a chance to win an overnight stay for two at The Crown Hotel Bawtry along with tickets to Sky bet Chase Day at Doncaster in January in a special racecard competition during the Festival and the leading trainer and jockey competitions during the Festival are supported by Raithwaite Hall Estate near Whitby. Racegoers have the opportunity to have their picture taken in a full-size Snow Globe during the Festival. There’s also a preview of the afternoon’s racing in the winners’ enclosure, while former jockey, Niall Hannity will provide Paddock commentaries prior to each race.
 
The highlights on New Year’s Day Wednesday (First Race 12-30 p.m.) are the two £11,000 chases – a Handicap Chase over two miles and three furlongs and a Beginners’ Chase over the extended three miles and one furlong.
 
As usual, the giant screen will enable racegoers to see even more action on the track, including The Welsh Grand National from Chepstow on Saturday and the big races from Cheltenham on New Year’s Day. Car and coach parking is free, while accompanied children under 18 years of age are admitted free of charge. In addition, there’s a popular new indoor play area for youngsters in the Course Enclosure.

 
                                                                      
 Wetherby is gearing up for the traditional two-day William Hill Yorkshire Winter Festival on Boxing Day Thursday and Friday (December 26 & 27). With increased prize money of £122,500 on offer this prestigious fixture is set to attract several of the country’s top horses, as preparations continue for both the Cheltenham and Grand National Festivals in the spring.
 
The gates open on both days at 10 a.m., and there’s complimentary mulled wine and mince pies for the ‘early birds’ on Boxing Day. As usual, accompanied children aged 17 and under  are admitted free of charge into all enclosures. There’s also a dedicated ‘Parenting Room’ in the Paddock Enclosure, with baby-changing facilities, microwave and comfy chairs.
 
This meeting forms the opening two days of the inaugural Go Racing in Yorkshire Winter Festival, which also includes racing at Catterick (28 December) and Doncaster (29 December).
 
Racing on Boxing Day Thursday begins at 12-35 p.m. and the principal race of the afternoon is The William Hill Rowland Meyrick Handicap Chase, a Grade 3 contest for stayers over three miles and one furlong offering prize money of £40,000. Synonymous with Wetherby’s Christmas Meeting for many years, this race commemorates a former clerk of the course, who officiated between 1919 and 1947.
 
Malton trainer, Malcolm Jefferson has supplied the last two winners of this race – According To Pete and Cape Tribulation (last year) and a possible runner in this year’s renewal is the Grand National winner, Auroras Encore, trained near Bingley by Wetherby’s leading trainer, Sue Smith and ridden by Ryan Mania, who was on board the 11-year-old when he became the first Yorkshire-trained winner of the Grand National for 53 years when he prevailed at Aintree in April.
 
Friday’s programme is set to begin at 12-45 p.m. and the afternoon’s main race, The William Hill Castleford Handicap Chase, is a contest for chasers over the specialist distance of two miles, with the contenders attacking their fences at speed.
 
The giant screen will be in use during the meeting, while a display screen will provide details for racegoers in the vicinity of the parade ring. They will also be showing the action from Kempton Park over both days, including The King George VI Chase on Boxing Day. There are extra facilities to cater for the large crowds expected, including additional marquee areas.
 
Musical entertainment on both days is provided by the Bill Bailey Jazz Band and the Endeavour Ceilidh Band, while the team from Rigmoor Reindeer are bringing a couple of reindeer. New Beginnings, the Yorkshire-based enterprise that provides a safe, secure and supportive environment for former racehorse, will have former Wetherby specialist and great favourite with racegoers, Mister McGoldrick in attendance on Boxing Day. Formerly trained near Bingley by Sue Smith, Mister McGoldrick retired as a racehorse at this meeting in 2011.
 
There’s also the chance to win an overnight stay for two at The Crown Hotel Bawtry along with tickets to Sky Bet Chase Day at Doncaster in January in a special racecard competition during the Go Racing in Yorkshire Winter Festival and the leading Trainer and Jockey competitions during the Festival are supported by Raithwaite Hall Estate near Whitby. Racegoers have the opportunity to have their picture taken in a full-size Snow Globe during the Festival. There will also be previews of the racing some 45 minutes before the first race, while former jockey, Niall Hannity will provide Paddock commentaries prior to each race.
 
On both days, there’s a free shuttle bus service between Wetherby Bus Station and the racecourse from 11-00 a.m. on Boxing Day and 11-15 a.m. on Thursday, operating every 20 minutes. The bus will run shuttles on the reverse journey up to an hour after the last race

 

 
The second meeting of Catterick’s Jumping season takes place on Tuesday (December 17) when the seven-race programme is set to begin at 12-10 p.m. with a Handicap Hurdle contest for amateur riders.
 
The principal races are a pair of Novices’ Limited Handicap Chases, supported by The Horserace Betting Levy Board – The Buy Your 2014 Annual Badge Today Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase over the extended three miles and one furlong, offering prize money of £15,000 and The Catterick Interactive Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase, a £10,000 contest over two miles and three furlongs.
 
As usual, the giant screen will enable racegoers to see even more action on the track.
 
Applications for membership at Catterick in 2014 are now being taken. For 27 scheduled racedays at Catterick next year, along with 30 reciprocal fixtures at other racecourses and ten selected Yorkshire County Cricket Club matches, the cost of membership is £135 (Single); £230 (Joint – husband and wife); £240 for a member and guest (transferable), while an optional Reserved Car Park Label can be purchased for £40.
 
There’s holiday racing coming up at Catterick, with meetings on Saturday, December 28 and New Year’s Day Wednesday, January 1. The Saturday fixture is part of the inaugural ‘Go Racing in Yorkshire Winter Festival’.

 
 
Doncaster’s season over Jumps continues this Saturday (December 14) with The BetVictor Christmas Meeting; the seven-race programme is set to begin at 11-55 a.m.
 
Leading online bookmaker, BetVictor.com once again support this fixture, sponsoring a quartet of races including The BetVictor Summit Juvenile Hurdle (a £27,500 Grade 2 contest for leading three-year-old hurdlers) and The BetVictor Handicap Chase, a contest for stayers over three miles offering prize money of £20,000.
 
Kashmir Peak, trained at Malton by John Quinn, won last year’s BetVictor Summit Juvenile Hurdle, and went on to compete in the Grade 1 JCB Triumph Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.
 
Regular sponsors, The Crown Hotel, Bawtry support a contest for novice hurdlers, while Saturday’s card also includes The Macmillan Novices’ Chase (a race won last year by Rocky Creek, who recently finished runner-up in the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury) and The DFS Supports Macmillan Handicap Hurdle.
 
Macmillan Cancer Support will have an ‘Information Bus’ at Saturday’s meeting and they are being supported by DFS – the Doncaster-based upholstery manufacturer and retailer.
 
Santa Claus will make an appearance during the afternoon, and there will be a giant snow globe photo booth and fun casino tables, courtesy of Napoleons Casino.
 
The giant screen situated opposite the main stands will enable racegoers to see all of the action, including racing from Cheltenham. A shuttle bus will be in operation from the railway station.


                                                                       
Wetherby’s Christmas Carol Saturday meeting this weekend (December 7) is a seven-race programme starting at 12-10 p.m. The pair of feature races – both offering prize money of £10,000 – are The Constant Security Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (extended two and a half miles) and The Download The totepool App Handicap Chase over two miles. The latter is one of four races supported by totepool during the afternoon.
 
Constant Security Services provide the security duties at most Yorkshire racecourses, while local racehorse owner, David Knaggs celebrates his birthday by supporting The Knaggsy Boy 48th Birthday Novices’ Handicap Chase over three miles and one furlong.
 
The Christmas lights at the racecourse will be switched on; musical entertainment is provided by a brass ensemble, while members of the Wetherby Musical Theatre Group will be singing carols as part of  their fund-raising activities. There’s also an appearance by Santa Claus with his reindeer!
 
The giant screen situated opposite the stands will enable racegoers to see even more of the action, supplemented by an additional screen near the parade ring.
 
Also on Saturday, there’s a free shuttle bus service between Wetherby Bus Station and the racecourse, starting at 10-40 a.m., operating every 20 minutes and then up to an hour after the conclusion of racing.
 


 
 
Catterick’s 2013/14 season over Jumps begins on Wednesday (December 4) – the first of ten scheduled days’ racing over Jumps at the North Yorkshire track during the campaign, which concludes in March.
 
The action on Wednesday afternoon is due to start at 12-20 p.m. with The Richmondshire Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle, while the seven-race programme also includes BHEST Racing To School Juvenile Hurdle for three-year-olds. This race is named after The British Horseracing Education & Standards Trust’s ‘Racing To School’ initiative involving schools throughout the UK and children from Le Cateau Community Primary School at Catterick Garrison will be at Wednesday’s meeting,
 
The Saltburn-based father and son combination of Keith and James Reveley were the leading trainer and jockey during Catterick’s previous season over Jumps, while County Durham-based John Dawson was the top Conditional rider in the competitions sponsored by Laurence R. Watson & Co. Ltd., the company which provides the trophies at Catterick. It is hoped that presentations can be made to the respective winners on Wednesday.
 
From the start of the Jumps season, all accompanied under 18’s will be admitted free of charge.
 
As usual, the giant screen will enable racegoers to see even more action on the track.

 
  
 
Doncaster’s 2013/14 season over Jumps begins on Friday (November 29) with The Ice Cream Direct UK Race Day. This is the first of ten scheduled racedays over Jumps this season on Town Moor, which concludes on the first Saturday in March. Racing on Friday is due to begin at 12-20 p.m.
 
Doncaster-based Ice Cream Direct UK Ltd. is an independent wholesaler of ice cream and related products throughout the UK. The race titles reflect the flavour of the afternoon – The National Ice Cream Wholesalers Handicap Chase (two miles and three furlongs) is the feature contest, while the seven-race programme also includes The Kelly’s Scooping Ice Cream Novices’ Chase, The Cadbury Flake ‘99’ Novices’ Handicap Chase, The Walls Ice Cream Handicap Hurdle and The Allied Massarellas Bentley Cash & Carry Novices’ Hurdle.
 
Freebets support the last two races on the card – a Novices’ Handicap Hurdle contest and a National Hunt Flat race for Conditional jockeys and Amateur riders.
 
The giant screen, situated opposite the main stands will enable racegoers to see all of the action. A shuttle bus service will be in operation from the railway station.
 
·                     The next meeting at Doncaster is the betVictor Christmas Meeting on Saturday, December 14, followed by a fixture on Sunday, December 29 (‘Sprout-Free Zone Day’) – the final day of the inaugural ‘Go Racing in Yorkshire’ Winter Festival.

                                                                       
Wetherby’s season over Jumps continues on Wednesday (November 27) with the annual ‘Countryside Race Day’ – a seven-race card which is set to start at 12-15 p.m. – although prior to the opening race (at approximately 11-30 a.m.), there’s a contest on the Flat over one mile for horses ridden by Hunt supporters who are obtaining sponsorship for the event as part of the effort to repeal the Hunting Act. The Tom Bannister Memorial Cup is the prize for the winning connections. Gates open at 10-30 a.m.
 
There will also be a parade of hounds from the local Badsworth & Bramham Moor Hunt, while hunts from Yorkshire, Durham and Northumberland are also represented.
 
The feature race is The William Hill Yorkshire Winter Festival Handicap Chase over two miles, while other highlights include a contest for novice hurdlers supported by The Coniston Hotel & Country Estate, The Stowford Press Cider Handicap Chase over the extended two and three-quarter miles and Harrogate Polo Club support a juvenile maiden hurdle race for three-year-olds. The concluding race, a National Hunt Flat race for fillies and mares which are about to begin their careers over Jumps, is supported by The European Breeders’ Fund.
 
The giant screen situated opposite the stands will enable racegoers to see even more of the action.

 

                                                                                                                                                                                                
Wetherby’s annual totepool & CIU Charity Racecday takes place on Saturday (November 16), with the twin highlights being a Handicap Chase for stayers over three miles and one furlong and a Handicap Hurdle contest over the extended two miles – both races held under the totepool banner. Wyck Hill won the former race last year and went on to land a Listed handicap Chase at Ascot before ending the season with a highly-creditable third place in a race at the Punchestown Festival in April.
 
Saturday’s seven-race programme begins at 12-25 p.m. and the afternoon’s activities are supported by members of the Club & Institute Union Racing Club as they continue to attend this Saturday fixture. Senior officials of the CIU will also be at Wetherby, as funds are raised for the CIU’s holiday and convalescent centre at Saltburn on the Yorkshire coast. A record number of bookings for Saturday’s meeting have been made by clubs affiliated to the CIU, with Farsley WMC once again leading the way with over 250 members due at Wetherby.
 
Leeds-based national gaming machine specialists, Dransfields once again support a Handicap Hurdle contest for stayers over three miles and one furlong, while the opening race is The Colin Baldwin 82nd Birthday Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle (extended two miles). The Rob Seldon Retirement Handicap Chase (extended two and a half miles) is also featured.
 
There will be a preview of the afternoon’s racing in the winners’ enclosure prior to racing. Also, for the 21st consecutive year, members of Driffield Veterans’ Soccer Club will be attending this meeting, as usual in fancy dress – the theme this year is ‘Mrs. Brown’s Ladies’!
 
The giant screen situated opposite the stands will enable racegoers to see even more of the action, including racing from Cheltenham and the big race, The Paddy Power Gold Cup (due off at 2-30 p.m.) The full-colour racecard will contain details of the feature races at Cheltenham, while Blimey O’Reilly’s Irish Band provide the musical entertainment in the Paddock Enclosure.
 
Also on Saturday, there’s a free shuttle bus service between Wetherby Bus Station prior to and for up to one hour after the final race.

  
 
 
Doncaster stages the traditional conclusion to the British Flat season on turf, when the 2013 campaign signs off in style with a seven-race programme this Saturday (November 9) – Betfred November Handicap Day starting at 12-40 p.m.
 
To celebrate the 2013 season, there will be ‘end of term’ presentations to honour the champions of the season, including the Champion Jockey, Richard Hughes – who retains his title for his second successive championship after recording over 200 winners – the first time the double century has been achieved since Keiren Fallon ten years ago.
 
Yorkshire-based Jason Hart leads the way in the race to be the Champion Apprentice Jockey of the season, as he follows last year’s champion Amy Ryan, who is also based in the county. It is also planned to make presentations to the champion trainer Richard Hannon (his fourth championship) and the representative of leading owner, Godolphin, who have retained their title, making it the ninth time they have won the award.
 
Presentations to the three category winners in the Prolinx Lady Jockeys’ Championship will also be made.
 
The principal race of the afternoon is The Betfred November Handicap Stakes. This famous ultra-competitive Handicap over one mile and a half offers prize money of £65,000 and was won last season by 20/1 Art Scholar, trained near Newark by Mick Appleby. A couple of long-standing Listed races are also featured – The Betfred Mobile EBF Gillies Fillies’ Stakes (a contest for fillies and mares named in memory of a former chairman of Doncaster racecourse, Cllr. Ron Gillies, J.P.) and The Betfred Goals Galore Wentworth Stakes, a race for sprinters over six furlongs. Both races offer increased prize money of £40,000 and £37,000 respectively. The Betfred ‘Cock O’The North’ EBF Maiden Stakes refers to the leading northern-based jockey of the Flat season, Joe Fanning, who has again recorded over a century of winners for the season to retain his crown. He too will be honoured on Saturday.
 
The afternoon’s concluding race is the Final Round of the inaugural Go Racing in Yorkshire Future Stars Apprentice Series for 2013. The Series has been held on each of the county’s racecourses which stage Flat racing, and there are financial rewards and equipment up for grabs, along with the opportunity to promote racing in Yorkshire in 2014. Gary Mahon with 42 points is the confirmed Series’ winner, as the two young riders who could have overtaken him, Jacob Butterfield and Jordan Nason, are both unavailable to ride in Saturday’s race.
 
There’s live musical entertainment after racing on stage in the main betting hall, courtesy of ‘The Blues Bros Duo’.
 
The giant screen, situated opposite the main stands will enable racegoers to see all of the action. A shuttle bus service will be in operation from the railway station.


 
Redcar’s 2013 season on the Flat comes to a resounding conclusion on Tuesday (November 5), with a seven-race programme scheduled to start at 1-00 p.m. with a race for maiden two-year-old supported by The Governors of The Irish European Breeders’ Fund.
 
The afternoon’s feature race is The Annual Badges Make Great Christmas Presents Handicap Stakes – a contest over one mile and a quarter.
 
As usual, the giant screen situated opposite the stands will enable racegoers to see even more of the action on the track.
 
Going into this final meeting of Redcar’s campaign, the course’s top trainer and jockey awards for the season – based on a points system for winners and places obtained – will be decided, with David O’Meara enjoying a clear advantage in the trainers’ category, while Danny Tudhope, David Allan, James Sullivan, Paul Mulrennan, Graham Gibbons and Michael O’Connell are all prominent in the race to be the leading jockey.
 
Redcar’s 18-day 2014 season begins on Monday, April 7.
 

 

 Wetherby’s two-day bet365 Charlie Hall Chase Meeting (Friday and Saturday, 1st & 2nd) sees the Jumping season move up a few significant gears, with £260,000 in prize money on offer, while Doncaster hosts the traditional climax to the British Flat season on Saturday, 9th, including presentations to the nation’s leading owner, trainer, jockey and apprentice rider.
 
All roads lead to Wetherby, as some of the best chasers in the business are set to line up in the bet365 Charlie Hall Chase on the first Saturday this month. This prestigious £100,000 Grade 2 contest over three miles and one furlong remembers a famous Yorkshire trainer, Charlie Hall, who was based at nearby Towton. This race is seen as a stepping stone for some of the leading contenders in the Jumping game regarding future big-race honours and should attract a top-notch line-up. Last year’s winner, Silviniaco Conti went on to win the Grade 1 Betfair Chase at Haydock Park and compete in The Cheltenham Gold Cup.
 
Saturday’s seven-race programme also features another Grade 2 contest, The John Smith’s Hurdle (won last year by the brilliant but enigmatic Tidal Bay), a £36,500 race which is sure to include progressive staying hurdlers which could go on to compete in The World Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in March. Another highlight on a classy Saturday is a Listed hurdle contest for fillies and mares over the extended two miles, won last year by Une Artiste, trained at Lambourn in Berkshire by the champion trainer of last season, Nicky Henderson.
 
A pair of Listed races are the highlights on the Friday at Wetherby, with precocious young hurdlers taking part in The Weatherbys Hamilton Insurance Wensleydale Juvenile Novices’ Hurdle for three-year-olds and The bet365 Handicap Chase over fences.
 
The 2013 British Flat season on turf concludes in style at Doncaster the following Saturday, with Richard Hughes in pole position to retain the jockeys’ championship – a title he won for the first time last year. He leads the way from three-times former champion jockey, Ryan Moore.
 
Richard Hannon is attempting to win his fourth Trainers’ Championship; the Marlborough-based handler has trained over 200 winners, but it could be a close call come the 9th November, with Aidan O’Brien, who is based at Ballydoyle in Ireland in close pursuit, after winning the Group 1 Ladbrokes St. Leger Stakes at Doncaster in September with Leading Light. This title is decided on prize money accrued over the season. Incidentally, Yorkshire-based trainers Mark Johnston and Richard Fahey have both accumulated won more than £2 million in prize money during the Flat season, to be third and fourth respectively in the list. Hambleton-based Kevin Ryan has hit the £1 million mark, while another of the county’s trainers, David O’Meara is poised to do so.
 
There’s very much a Yorkshire interest in the outcome of the Apprentice Jockeys’ championship, with Jason Hart right in the mix to follow last year’s champion from the White Rose county, Amy Ryan, who created racing history when being the first female to be the outright top apprentice rider in the UK (Hayley Turner shared the title in 2005).
 
The battle for the Sky Bet trophies presented to the leading trainer and jockey on the Yorkshire courses during the Flat season, look like going down to the wire. Danny Tudhope is the leader in the riders’ category, closely pursued by Graham Gibbons, Paul Mulrennan and Silvestre de Sousa. It looks like being even closer in the contest to be the top trainer on the county’s tracks, as David O’Meara and Richard Fahey are going toe-to-toe for the Yorkshire bragging rights.
 
The action on the track at Doncaster features The Betfred November Handicap Stakes over one mile and a half, offering prize money of £65,000 with strong support from a couple of valuable Listed races with increased prize money – The  Gillies Fillies’ Stakes (£40,000) and The Wentworth Stakes (£37,000). This day also sees the Final Round of the inaugural Go Racing in Yorkshire Future Stars Apprentice Series, the culmination of a competition for talented young riders on the Yorkshire courses which began at Doncaster in March.
 
Redcar’s season on the Flat concludes on Tuesday, 5th, prior to the climax of the campaign at Doncaster. Racing over Jumps at Wetherbycontinues with a meeting on Saturday, 16th – ‘totepool Day’ incorporating the annual CIU Charity Raceday at the popular West Yorkshire Jumps venue, which is also in action on Wednesday, 27th (‘Countryside Day’) A new season over Jumps at Doncaster begins onFriday, 29th.

                                                                      
One of the big meetings of the season at Wetherby takes place this Friday and Saturday (November 1 & 2) – a top-quality two-day programme over Jumps. The highlight is the course’s richest race of the season on Saturday, The bet365 Charlie Hall Chase, which for the fifth consecutive year offers prize money of £100,000. Total prize money on offer for the meeting has been increased to a record £259,500.
 
Leading contenders of the Jumping game are set to be in action at Wetherby as the current season over Jumps starts to move up several gears. Sponsored for the eleventh year by leading sports bookmaker, bet365, Saturday’s Charlie Hall Chase is a Grade 2 contest over three miles and one furlong and is recognised as one of the most important and informative early-season races for top chasers as they set out on the long road to the Cheltenham and Grand National Festivals in the spring. The race commemorates the local Champion Hurdle-winning trainer, Charlie Hall who recorded a remarkable 169 winners at Wetherby from his base at nearby Towton. In all, he trained 584 winners over Jumps, plus some 100 winners on the Flat. He passed away in 1977, aged 75.
 
Probable contenders include the 2011 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner, Long Run, Cape Tribulation (trained at Malton by Malcolm Jefferson and the winner of The Rowland Meyrick Handicap Chase at Wetherby on Boxing Day), Grand Crus and Dynaste representing Somerset trainer, David Pipe, Unioniste from the yard of former champion trainer, Paul Nicholls, the Irish-trained Benefficient (winner of The Jewson Novices’ Chase at last season’s Cheltenham Festival) and one of last season’s leading novice chasers, Harry Topper.
 
This prestigious race has been won by some of the best chasers over the years, among them Wayward Lad, Burrough Hill Lad, Forgive ‘N’ Forget, Celtic Shot, Barton Bank, One Man, See More Business, Grey Abbey, Our Vic, Deep Purple, Nacarat and last year’s winner, Silvianaco Conti, who went on to land major races at Haydock Park and Newbury, before competing in the Cheltenham Gold Cup.
 
Saturday’s seven-race programme begins at 12-45 p.m. and a classy card also includes a pair of valuable hurdle contests – The bet365 Hurdle (a Grade 2 race for staying hurdlers whose ultimate target could be The Ladbrokes World Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival) and The OLBG.com Mares’ Hurdle – a Listed race for fillies and mares. The hugely-talented but enigmatic Tidal Bay won the former race last season, and is likely to be in the line-up again; another possible contender is At Fishers Cross, unbeaten in all of his six races last season, which culminated in Grade 1 Novice Hurdle victories at both the Cheltenham Festival and the Grand National Meeting.
 
The action on Friday begins at 1-10 p.m. and the afternoon’s twin highlights are a pair of Listed races. The Weatherbys Hamilton Insurance Wensleydale Juvenile Novices’ Hurdle is a contest for precocious three-year-old hurdlers, while The bet365 Handicap Chase is held over the extended two and a half miles. The longest race of the afternoon is The bet365.com Handicap Chase over three miles and one furlong.
 
‘New Beginnings’, the Yorkshire-based enterprise that seek to provide a safe, secure and supportive environment for former racehorses will have former Wetherby specialist and great favourite with racegoers Mister McGoldrick in attendance on Saturday.
 
Also on Saturday, there’s a free shuttle bus service between Wetherby Bus Station and the racecourse starting at approxiamately 11-00 a.m. and then operating every 20 minutes up to the first race, concluding an hour after the final race at 4-05 p.m.
 
On Saturday, former Yorkshire-based Jump jockey, Niall Hanitty will be giving paddock commentaries prior to each race.
 
 Musical entertainment is provided in the Paddock Enclosure on Saturday by both the Endeavour Band and LA Jazz (the former also perform on Friday) whilethe giant screen, situated opposite the stands, is in operation both days, with an additional screen located by the parade ring during the meeting.

 
CATTERICK’S FLAT SEASON ENDS ON TUESDAY
 
Catterick’s final fixture on the Flat this year takes place on Tuesday (October 29), when racing is scheduled to begin at 1-50 p.m.
 
The feature race is The Happy 90th Birthday John Gawthorpe Handicap Stakes over seven furlongs. John’s daughter, Judith Beckett won last year’s Go Racing in Yorkshire Best-Dressed Lady Racegoer competition.
 
The Racing Post Weekender support the opening two races – a contest for maiden two-year-olds and a handicap race for sprinters – both held over six furlongs.
 
Going into this final meeting of the season, David O’Meara (who is based at Nawton near Helmsley) and jockey Graham Lee lead the way in their respective categories regarding the awards for the top trainer and rider during Catterick’s campaign on the Flat, supported by The Nag’s Head at Pickhill.
 
As usual, the giant screen will enable racegoers to see even more action on the track while the indoor play area will be available to young racegoers.
 
Catterick’s next meeting on Wednesday, December 4 signals the start of the course’s 2013/14 season over Jumps.

DOUBLE TRIGGER CONTINUES TO BE HONOURED AT REDCAR
 
 
Double Trigger, one of Britain’s great stayers on the Flat in recent years, is once again honoured in The Double Trigger Maiden Stakes at Redcar on Monday (October 28), when the seven-race programme is scheduled to start at 1-10 p.m.
 
A contest for two-year-olds over nine furlongs, The Double Trigger Maiden Stakes is supported by The European Breeders’ Fund It’s the equivalent race won by Double Trigger on his racecourse debut in 1993, when he broke the track record for a juvenile over that distance, winning by ten lengths at 14/1! Thus, a remarkable career was launched at Redcar.
 
Trained at Middleham by Mark Johnston, Double Trigger won 14 of his 29 races, twelve of which were Group races, becoming the first horse for over 150 years to win the Doncaster Cup on three occasions (1995, 1996 and 1998). He had a locomotive named after him, while a life-size bronze of Double Trigger stands at Doncaster racecourse. Double Trigger is now a dual-purpose stallion, standing at Clarendon Farm in Wiltshire. In a racing career in which he earned his connections over £500,000, Double Trigger was purchased for just IR£7,200 at the 1992 Irish National Sale!
 
Regular sponsors, Market Cross Jewellers support a handicap contest for three-year-old stayers over one mile and three-quarters.
 
Monday’s opening race, a contest for two-year-old maiden fillies, is also supported by The European Breeders’ Fund in conjunction with British Stallion Studs. The giant screen, situated opposite the main stands, will enable racegoers to see even more action on the track.

Deborah Grogan from Shropshire is officially the best dressed lady racegoer in Yorkshire for 2013.

 

She landed the coveted title at a glittering final held at Doncaster, which brought together all nine ladies who had won the individual best dressed lady competitions at the county’s nine racecourses during the summer.  

 

However it was Deborah, representing Catterick racecourse, who caught the eye of the judges in a beautiful Karen Millen floral Peplum pencil dress, oyster dress coat and matching shoes. Accessories included gloves and a handbag, both adorned with pearls.   

 

The outfit was topped off with a striking asymmetric floral hat, featuring pearls and summer flowers, made by Sharper Millinery.   

 

After winning the title Mrs Grogan said: ‘I am absolutely over the moon. Any one of the ladies would have been a very worthy winner, so I feel honoured to have been chosen.      
                                                        

‘Ladies’ Days in Yorkshire are always fantastic occasions and for many of us the real highlight of the social calendar. It is a rare chance to really get dressed up and all the courses go out of their way to make the day extra special.’       

 

It was the second year running that the lady representing Catterick has lifted the title, as Deborah followed in the footsteps of Judith Beckett.  

 

Her prices include a luxury two night break in a Spa Suite with treatments included at the Best Western Premier Mount Pleasant Hotel in Doncaster, a £500 fashion voucher for Yasmine of Bawtry and Epworth and a diamond pendant to the value of £2500, courtesy of lovevintagediamonds.com.

 

She also becomes the face of Go Racing in Yorkshire for 2014, which promotes racing at all the Yorkshire courses.

 

John Sexton, Chairman of Go Racing in Yorkshire, who hosted a VIP box for all the finalists and their guests said: ‘The nine ladies did Yorkshire racing proud. It has brought the curtain down on a wonderful summer of high fashion and great racing action across the county.’   

 

The full list of ladies who qualified for the final is:  

Hollie Dixon – Representing Beverley

Deborah Grogan – Representing Catterick

Liz Akroyd – Representing Doncaster

Michelle Taylor – Representing Pontefract

Sophie Antill – Representing Redcar

Wendy Bennett – Representing Ripon

Annette Knowles – Representing Thirsk

Cherryl Evans – Representing Wetherby

Vicky Jenkinson – Representing York

Deborah Grogan from Shropshire is officially the best dressed lady racegoer in Yorkshire for 2013.

 

She landed the coveted title at a glittering final held at Doncaster, which brought together all nine ladies who had won the individual best dressed lady competitions at the county’s nine racecourses during the summer.  

 

However it was Deborah, representing Catterick racecourse, who caught the eye of the judges in a beautiful Karen Millen floral Peplum pencil dress, oyster dress coat and matching shoes. Accessories included gloves and a handbag, both adorned with pearls.   

 

The outfit was topped off with a striking asymmetric floral hat, featuring pearls and summer flowers, made by Sharper Millinery.   

 

After winning the title Mrs Grogan said: ‘I am absolutely over the moon. Any one of the ladies would have been a very worthy winner, so I feel honoured to have been chosen.                                                              

 

‘Ladies’ Days in Yorkshire are always fantastic occasions and for many of us the real highlight of the social calendar. It is a rare chance to really get dressed up and all the courses go out of their way to make the day extra special.’       

 

It was the second year running that the lady representing Catterick has lifted the title, as Deborah followed in the footsteps of Judith Beckett.  

 

Her prices include a luxury two night break in a Spa Suite with treatments included at the Best Western Premier Mount Pleasant Hotel in Doncaster, a £500 fashion voucher for Yasmine of Bawtry and Epworth and a diamond pendant to the value of £2500, courtesy of lovevintagediamonds.com.

 

She also becomes the face of Go Racing in Yorkshire for 2014, which promotes racing at all the Yorkshire courses.

 

John Sexton, Chairman of Go Racing in Yorkshire, who hosted a VIP box for all the finalists and their guests said: ‘The nine ladies did Yorkshire racing proud. It has brought the curtain down on a wonderful summer of high fashion and great racing action across the county.’   

 

The full list of ladies who qualified for the final is:  

Hollie Dixon – Representing Beverley

Deborah Grogan – Representing Catterick

Liz Akroyd – Representing Doncaster

Michelle Taylor – Representing Pontefract

Sophie Antill – Representing Redcar

Wendy Bennett – Representing Ripon

Annette Knowles – Representing Thirsk

Cherryl Evans – Representing Wetherby

Vicky Jenkinson – Representing York

 

 


Britain’s final Group 1 race of 2013, The Racing Post Trophy for leading two-year-olds, is the principal race at Doncaster on Saturday (October 26) – the second leg of the two-day October Meeting on Town Moor. Racing on Friday is scheduled to begin at 1-40 p.m., while the action on Saturday is set to start at 2-05 p.m. The meeting is enhanced by the inclusion of a special international race on Friday for Apprentice jockeys representing Great Britain, Ireland, France, Germany and Italy. Also on Saturday, the Final of the 2013 ‘Go Racing in Yorkshire’ Best-Dressed Lady competition takes place during the afternoon
 
First held in 1961, when known as The Timeform Gold Cup, The Racing Post Trophy over the straight mile offers prize money of £200,000 and boasts a fine pedigree, with Authorized, Motivator, High Chaparral and Camelot all winning this race as juveniles this century before going on to Derby glory at Epsom the following year.
 
The powerful racing operations, such as Ballydoyle (responsible for last year’s winner, Kingsbarns) and Godolphin are sure to be represented in The Racing Post Trophy, as they seek to introduce a possible star in the making for next year’s big races, including the Classics.
 
Saturday’s seven-race programme also features a Listed race for two-year-old sprinters over six furlongs, The Scott Dobson Memorial Stakes and a valuable £50,000 sprint handicap contest over five furlongs, under the Racing Post banner. The Racing Post ipad App Conditions Stakes (seven furlongs), The crownhotel-bawtry.com Nursery Handicap Stakes (for two-year-olds) and The Download The Racing Post Mobile App Handicap Stakes (one mile and a half) are also part of Saturday’s card, while the concluding race – a handicap contest over seven furlongs contested by three-year-olds is for apprentice jockeys and supported by South Yorkshire-based Universal Recycling Company.
 
 After the opening race, the Final of the ‘Go Racing in Yorkshire’ Best-Dressed Lady competition will take place, consisting of the nine ladies who have won the best-dressed competitions this summer on each of the Yorkshire racecourses. The overall winner will receive a luxury two-night break at the Best Western Mount Pleasant Hotel in Doncaster, a £500 fashion voucher from Yasmine of Bawtry & Epworth, along with a diamond pendant to the value of £2,500 courtesy of lovevintagediamonds.com
 
 There are eight races on Friday, starting with a contest for two-year-olds, The Racing Post Weekender Nursery Handicap Stakes, while other races for juveniles on the opening day are The pioneerfurniture.co.uk Leisure & Hospitality Manufacturers EBF Maiden Fillies’ Stakes and The Initiatec CCTV EBF Maiden Stakes. Also featured on Friday are The Doncaster Mini Handicap Stakes (extended one mile and three-quarters), The Artsign Handicap Stakes (extended mile and a quarter for three-year-olds), a Handicap contest for amateur riders over the extended one mile and a quarter), while international apprentice jockeys take part in The European Association of Racing Schools Apprentice Handicap Stakes over the straight mile. The Northern Racing College, based at nearby Rossington Hall is a member of EARS.
 
In addition, the final 24 candidates in this year’s Racing Post/SIS Betting Shop Manager of the Year will be at the races on Friday; this is marked by The Racing Post/SIS Betting Shop Manager of the Year Handicap Stakes over the sprint distance of six furlongs. The overall winner will be announced in London next month and will receive a VIP trip to next year’s Dubai World Cup – the world’s richest race meeting.
 
On Saturday, there’s musical entertainment in the main betting hall after racing by ‘Coldplace’ a ‘Coldplay’ tribute band, while former British Heavyweight boxing champion, Frank Bruno will be in attendance, supporting the ‘Help For Heroes’ charity.
 
The giant screen, situated opposite the main stands will enable racegoers to see all of the action. A shuttle bus service will be in operation from the railway station.

                                                                                                                   

Leading two-year-olds – possible stars of the future – are catered for in the principal race at Pontefract’s final meeting of 2013 on Monday (October 21), The EBF Stallions/totepool Mobile Silver Tankard Stakes. Racing is scheduled to begin at 2-10 p.m.
 
The 21st running of The EBF Stallions/totepool Mobile Silver Tankard Stakes, a Listed race for juveniles over one mile, should attract a good turnout of leading two-year-olds. Last year’s winner, Willie The Whipper, trained at Constable Burton in North Yorkshire by Ann Duffield, went on to finish sixth in this season’s French Derby at Chantilly. Prize money for Monday’s race has increased to £40,000.
 
Former course specialist, Bluff Cove is once again honoured in the 23rd renewal of The Bluff Cove Handicap Stakes, a race for stayers over two and a quarter miles, under the totepool Mobile banner. Bluff Cove won five long distance races at Pontefract during the 90’s, when trained by the late Reg Hollinshead. This is the final race in this season’s Pontefract Stayers Championship, which incorporates all the races of at least two miles staged this year at the course. The owner, trainer and stable staff of the horse accumulating the most number of points during the series – now in its tenth year – each receive a memento and £1,000. Riptide – trained near Ross-on-Wye in Herefordshire by Michael Scudamore – has already sewn up this season’s championship.
 
Middleham-based Mark Johnston heads the trainers’ category with nine winners in the season-long competition to find Pontefract’s top trainer, while Silvestre de Sousa has all but won the jockeys’ title with twelve winners this term at the track.
 
The racecourse’s ‘Postcode Lottery’ £2 promotion for this meeting concerns those living in the WF4 and WF5 area. See the racecourse’s website for details.
 
All of the action on Monday will be shown on the giant screen.
 
Pontefract’s 16-day 2014 season begins on Tuesday, April 8 and annual membership prices remain the same at £190 (single) and £255 (joint).


The totepool Mobile Catterick Dash takes pride of place on a seven-race programme on Saturday (October 19), when racing is scheduled to begin at 1-55 p.m. With almost £65,500 in prize money on offer throughout the afternoon, ‘totepool’ Day is Catterick’s richest raceday of the year.
 
There’s record prize money of £25,000 up for grabs in The totepool Mobile Catterick Dash, a handicap contest over the minimum distance of five furlongs which should attract plenty of good sprinters. Last year’s race was won by Kingsgate Choice, trained at Ledbury in Herefordshire by Ed de Giles. Kingsgate Choice went on to win at York in May of this year and recently competed in the Group 1 Prix de l’Abbaye for sprinters at Longchamp near Paris.
 
Totepool continue to support this entire meeting, on a day which sees the penultimate round of the inaugural ‘Go Racing in Yorkshire’ Future Stars Apprentice Series, which culminates in a Final at Doncaster next month. Coming into this race, North Yorkshire-based riders, Gary Mahon (42 points) and Jacob Butterfield (30 points) lead the way.
 
As usual, the giant screen and the Closed-Circuit Television System will enable racegoers to see even more action on the track, along with showing the action from QIPCO British Champions Day at Ascot.
 
The indoor play area in the Course Enclosure will be in use for young racegoers.

 

 
Redcar’s season on the Flat continues with a seven-race programme on Friday (October 18), scheduled to start at 2-00 p.m. with a contest for maiden two-year-olds supported by The European Breeders’ Fund – one of two races held under the EBF banner.
 
The Sam Hall Memorial Handicap Stakes over one mile and three-quarters commemorates the great Yorkshire trainer, who passed away in 1977. He trained over 1,000 winners during an illustrious career which began in 1949, achieving a lot of success at Redcar, including winning the Zetland Gold Cup on four occasions.
 
Regular sponsors, Market Cross Jewellers put their name to the afternoon’s Claiming race – a contest for two-year-olds over seven furlongs. Lady Amateur Riders take part in the final race, a Handicap contest over one mile and a quarter.
 
As usual, the giant screen situated opposite the stands will enable racegoers to see even more of the action on the track.

 
 

Wetherby’s 2013/14 season over Jumps starts on Wednesday (October 16) – the first of 18 days’ racing during the campaign – which concludes with an evening meeting on Thursday, May 29 2014.

 
Wednesday’s seven-race programme starts at 2-20 p.m. and is the backdrop to the 23rd annual charity meeting in aid of Spinal Research, with over £350,000 raised during the previous twenty-two charity racedays at Wetherby for the national charity which funds research into finding a cure for paralysis caused by injury to the spinal cord. Spinal Research is again hosting a fund-raising luncheon prior to racing in a marquee adjacent to the parade ring. One of the guests id Nicola Wilson, a member of the Great Britain Eventing Team which won a silver medal at last year’s Olympic Games.
 
Once again, the principal race on this day is The Bobby Renton Handicap Chase, a contest over the extended two and a half miles which remembers the late Bobby Renton, who trained Freebooter to win the 1950 Grand National from his base near Ripon.
 
The opening race, The Rachel Wright Memorial Hurdle, a contest for three-year-old juvenile maiden hurdlers, is held in memory of Rachel Wright who organised this charity raceday since its inception and who passed away in 2006.
 
Presentations will be made to the leading trainer of last season at Wetherby, Sue Smith (last season’s Grand National-winning trainer, who is based at High Eldwick near Bingley) – along with the top jockey (Jason Maguire) and Conditional rider (John Dawson) at the course last term.

 

 
The last chance to enjoy racing action at York in 2013 comes on Friday and Saturday (11 & 12 October). With prize money of over £315,000 on offer, it is the most valuable October finale ever staged on the Knavesmire
 
Friday will see the second staging of ‘Countryside Raceday’ while Saturday will be accompanied by the sound of the Corps of Drums of the Coldstream Guards.
 
Saturday’s quality programme begins at 1-50 p.m. The Coral Sprint Trophy takes pride of place with this famous contest offering prize money of £75,000, while precocious two-year-olds are catered for in The Coral Rockingham Stakes, a £45,000 Listed race. Both feature races are run over six furlongs.
 
Leading bookmaker, Coral once again support six of Saturday’s seven races, while the Corps of Drums will perform during the afternoon and bring the curtain down on the season as they mark the Coldstream Guards Association Cup, a middle-distance handicap race.
 
Looking to combine the delights of the rural life with the excitement of a raceday, the ‘Countryside Raceday’ on Friday will look to build on last year’s inaugural event with seven races being complemented by rural activity and products; including a sheepdog display courtesy of Carol Melling from ITV’s ‘The Dales’, laser clay-shooting and a chance to get up close falconry display. For those wishing to start their Christmas shopping early there is a Countryside Market of local produce and crafts.
 
Friday’s card begins at 2-00 p.m. and blends competitive handicaps with contests to develop the two-year-olds as well as a race for amateur riders. Regular race sponsors on this day include TSG and the Parsonage Country House Hotel & Cloisters Spa at Escrick. The European Breeders’ Fund continue their backing of York with support of the contest for maiden two-year-olds in conjunction with Brittain’s Beverages. They are joined by three new sponsors at this meeting, Novus Property Services, Website Designers Yorkshire and bookmaker Stan James. The latter displaying both their wider support of racing and a sense of humour in naming the richest race of the day, “The This Isn’t the Stan James Champion Hurdle Stakes”, no doubt much to the relief of the connections of the flat thoroughbreds looking to be at their best over just a mile. Completing the Friday card is this year’s renewal of The Future Cleaning Services Apprentice Stakes – a contest for up-and-coming young riders backed by the York firm who provide the cleaning at the Knavesmire.
 
The meeting will also see the conclusion of the season long contests to be top jockey and trainer at York. Both competitions look like going right down to the wire. In the Living North-sponsored jockey’s race, the three-time champion jockey, Ryan Moore has ridden nine winners this year on the Knavesmire, two more than North Yorkshire-based Danny Tudhope, with Neil Callan and Silvestre de Sousa both on the five-winner mark.
 
The race to be the Hatfields Motor Group Top Trainer at York is equally close with Malton trainer, Richard Fahey’s seven-year domination of this award facing serious competition. Fellow North Yorkshire-based trainers, David O’Meara and Kevin Ryan lead the way with ten and eight winners respectively, with both Fahey and Newmarket-based Yorkshireman William Haggas on seven winners. It took the final race of the 2012 season to decide the crown and this year could prove as tight a finish with second or even third place totals coming to the party.
 
Four large screens will cover both racing on the Knavesmire and the major contests from Newmarket on the Saturday. The totepool – backed Punters Panel will offer tips before racing on each day,
 


 
Action on the Flat continues at Catterick on Tuesday (October 8), when racing is set to begin at 2-30 p.m.
 
Former course specialist, Skyram, who won several races at Catterick in the early 1980’s, is once again remembered with The Skyram Handicap Stakes, a race for stayers over two miles. Skyram was owned by Lord Hartington (now The Duke of Devonshire), a former senior steward of The Jockey Club and chairman of The British Horseracing Board – now The British Horseracing Authority.
 
The racinguk.com Handicap Stakes is contested over one mile and a half, while Tuesday’s programme includes a couple of Nursery handicaps for two-year-olds. The European Breeders’ Fund put their name to a contest for maiden juveniles, in conjunction with Irish Stallion Farms, while amateur riders take part in a handicap race for sprinters over five furlongs.
 
As usual, the giant screen will enable racegoers to see even more action on the track.
 

                                                                                                                                                 


 Pontefract’s penultimate meeting of the season on Monday (October 7) features The Phil Bull Trophy Conditions Stakes. The seven-race programme gets underway at 2-10 p.m.
 
The longest race of the afternoon, the 27th renewal of The Phil Bull Trophy, a Conditions contest for stayers over two and a quarter miles, is named after one of the legends of the turf, the late Phil Bull, who founded the renowned Timeform Organisation, the respected racing form specialists based in Halifax. The original headquarters of Timeform was at Hemsworth near Pontefract. Mr. Bull, who passed away in 1989, had a long affinity with Pontefract racecourse, it being the first course he visited as a boy and where his famous ‘cerise, white circle’ colours were first carried to victory as an owner.
 
The Phil Bull Trophy is the penultimate race in this season’s Pontefract Stayers’ Championship which comprises all of the races for stayers at the course. Going into Monday’s race, Riptide – trained in Herefordshire by Michael Scudamore – has a commanding lead with 22 points, having won two races in this season’s series. This year’s Championship concludes on October 21 – Pontefract’s final meeting of 2013 – and the owner, trainer and stable staff of the horse accumulating the most number of points will each receive a trophy and £1,000.
 
Maiden two-year-olds take part in the opening race, a contest supported by The European Breeders’ Fund in conjunction with British Stallion Studs, while The Many Thanks To Di Price Handicap Stakes (a contest for three-year-olds over one mile and a half) refers to the imminent retirement from the Stewards’ Panel at Pontefract of Di Price.
 
The racecourse’s ‘Postcode Lottery’ £2 promotion for Monday’s meeting concerns those living in the WF3 area. See the racecourse’s website for details.
 
The giant screen situated opposite the main stands will enable racegoers to follow all of the action.

 

 
 
The totepool Two-Year-Old Trophy – one of the most valuable races in the UK for juveniles – heads a quality seven-race programme at Redcar this Saturday (October 5), which is scheduled to begin at 1-40 p.m.
 
First held in 1989, the prestigious totepool Two-year-Old Trophy offers guaranteed prize money of £150,000 and is one of a pair of Listed races on Saturday’s card. Contested over the straight six furlongs, the race is once again supported by totepool and is sure to attract the maximum field of 23 from an original entry of 288 made back in April. The race has been won in the past by top-class horses such as Somnus, Captain Rio, Pipalong, Peak To Creek and Ladies Are Forever, while the 2008 winner Total Gallery went on to land the Group 1 Prix de l’Abbaye at Longchamp. The last three winners were all trained in Yorkshire – Ladies Are Forever (2010), Bogart (2011) and last year’s heroine, Body And Soul. Ladies Are Forever – owned and bred by Yorkshire businessman, Reg Bond and trained at Malton by Geoff Oldroyd – has gone on to land the Group 3 Summer Stakes at York on two occasions – 2011 and again this year.
 
Saturday’s strong card also features The Watch Racing UK On Sky 432 Straight-Mile Championship Final. This £20,000 Handicap contest is the culmination of a series of qualifying races held at Redcar throughout the summer over the straight mile, while the eleventh running of The Guisborough Stakes as a Listed race over seven furlongs offers record prize money of £40,000 and is supported by both totepool and The European Breeders’ Fund.
 
Saturday’s opening race – a contest for maiden two-year-olds – is also supported by The European Breeders’ Fund in conjunction with British Stallion Studs, while regular sponsors, Market Cross Jewellers put their name to a Handicap contest over one mile and a quarter.
 
 The big screen at Redcar will enable racegoers to view the proceedings on the track as well as showing the main races from Ascot and Newmarket.
 
Racegoers are also invited to join former jockey, Jimmy Bleasdale for a ‘behind-the-scenes’ tour of the racecourse, including a visit to the weighing room. The tour starts at 12-15 p.m. in front of the Petch Stand.
 
Attractions for youngsters during the afternoon in the Course Enclosure include bouncy castles, face painting, a magician and balloon modellers.
 
This major meeting comes soon after Redcar retained its award as the sports venue in north-east England with the best blooms. The track once again won a gold medal for its array of flowers in the recent ‘Northumbria in Bloom’ Awards.

October provides Yorkshire racegoers with a glimpse into the future as some of the best two-year-olds stake their claims for big race success in 2014, with important races for precocious juveniles being staged this month in the county at Redcar, York, Pontefract and Doncaster, while the ‘season of mists and mellow fruitfulness’ as John Keats described, is the signal for the Jumping season at Wetherby to begin.

 

It’s a quality start to the month, with Redcar’s biggest day of the season taking place on Saturday, 5th. The programme at the seaside track is dominated by one of the richest races in Europe for juveniles – The totepool Two-Year-Old Trophy – a Listed race for youngsters with guaranteed prize money of £150,000. The record of Yorkshire-trained horses in this valuable contest over the sprint distance of six furlongs is a proud one, with the last three runnings won by contenders from the White Rose county. Last year, the filly Body And Soul took the honours for Great Habton (Malton) trainer, Tim Easterby – a decade after he produced Somnus to land the considerable prize. Other recent notable winners from the region are Danum Dancer, Misu Bond, Captain Rio, Dim Sums and Pipalong. The chief supporting race is The Guisborough Stakes – another Listed contest, while the programme also includes The Racing UK Straight-Mile Championship Final. There are further meetings this month at Redcar on Friday, 18th and Monday, 28th.

 

Another significant year at York comes to a resounding conclusion with the traditional two-day finale on the Knavesmire – Friday and Saturday, 11th & 12th. Friday is ‘Countryside Raceday’, while speed is of the essence on the final afternoon, when sprinters face the starter in The Coral Sprint Trophy (a £75,000 Handicap), while up-and-coming two-year-olds take part in the Listed Rockingham Stakes (won last year by Royal Rascal, trained by the aforementioned Tim Easterby); both feature races are contested over six furlongs.

 

Once again Doncaster hosts Britain’s final Group 1 race of the year, The Racing Post Trophy, on Saturday, 26th. This eagerly-awaited £200,000 contest for Europe’s leading two-year-olds should provide some important clues to the big races next year, including the Classics. Recent Derby winners, Authorized, Motivator and High Chaparral all won this race as juveniles before going on to Derby glory at Epsom the following year. Top Irish trainer, Aidan O’Brien has produced the winner of this race three times in the last four years, with Kingsbarns taking the honours last year. During the afternoon, the Final of the ‘Best-Dressed Lady’ Competition on the Yorkshire racecourses takes place, with a glittering parade of the ladies who won their respective competitions on each of the individual Yorkshire racecourses. The prizes for the overall winner include a luxury spa weekend for two at the Best Western Premier Mount Pleasant Hotel Doncaster, a £500 fashion voucher courtesy of Yasmine of Bawtry & Epworth, and a diamond pendant from lovevintagediamonds.com. This is the second leg of a two-day fixture at Doncaster, with racing on Town Moor on the Friday (25th).

 

Pontefract’s 2013 season comes to an end with a couple of Monday meetings – 7th and 21st. The Phil Bull Conditions Stakes for stayers is the main race on the first Monday, while the highlight of the final fixture at the West Yorkshire track is the 21st running of The totesport Silver Tankard Stakes – a Listed race for leading two-year-olds. There was a Yorkshire-trained winner of this race last year – Willie The Whipper, trained at Constable Burton near Leyburn by Ann Duffield.

 

The season on the Flat continues at Catterick with a trio of meetings at the North Yorkshire track – Tuesday, 8th, Saturday, 19th and Tuesday, 29th. The totepool Catterick Dash – a valuable Handicap race for sprinters – is the highlight of the Saturday fixture. Racegoers at Catterick on Saturday, 15th will also be able to see the action from the QIPCO British Champions’ Day at Ascot – the richest raceday ever staged in the UK – on the giant screen

 

 Wetherby’s 2013/14 season over Jumps starts on Wednesday, 16th – the annual Spinal Research Charity Day – featuring The Bobby Renton Handicap Chase – a race which commemorates a former Yorkshire trainer, who trained Freebooter to win the 1950 Grand National from his base near Ripon.

 

 

                         
 
 
David O’Meara, who trains at Nawton near Helmsley and his stable jockey, Danny Tudhope both have narrow advantages in their respective categories regarding the race for the Sky Bet Trophies presented to the leading trainer and jockey who record the most number of winners on the Yorkshire racecourses during the 2013 Flat season, which concludes at Doncaster on Saturday, November 9.
 
O’Meara, who is yet to win this award, has 60 winners in the bag, just two ahead of Malton trainer, Richard Fahey (a three-times winner of this prize), while Tudhope (who won this award for the first time last year with 43 winners) has already ridden 42 winners so far this season on the county’s tracks, six clear of Graham Gibbons.
 
The trophies will be presented to the respective winners at the ‘Go Racing in Yorkshire’ Annual Awards Lunch in November, an event also sponsored by Sky Bet.
 

 

 

 
Ripon’s 2013 season comes to a resounding conclusion on Saturday (September 28) with a quality seven-race programme at Yorkshire’s ‘Garden Racecourse’ which is scheduled to begin at 2-10 p.m. with a contest for maiden two-year-olds supported by The European Breeders’ Fund.
 
The principal race is The Ripon Cathedral City Of The Dales Handicap Stakes, a contest for sprinters over six furlongs, offering increased prize money of £30,000 with the chief supporting races being The Trevor Ingham Celebration Handicap Stakes (one mile and a half), The Ripon Land Rover Nursery Handicap Stakes (for two-year-olds over one mile), The freebets.co.uk Maiden Stakes (one mile and a half) and The SIS Live Handicap Stakes – a contest for sprinters over five furlongs.
 
Stuart Hogg supports the afternoon’s Selling race, a contest for apprentice riders – The Carole Hogg & Andrene Dickins Stakes over six furlongs.
 
Ripon’s permanent giant screen will enable racegoers to follow the action in more detail, while The Wetherby & District Silver Band provide the musical entertainment from the bandstand. There’s also a selection of attractions for youngsters in the Course Enclosure – dependent upon the weather – while there are permanent play areas in both the Paddock and Course enclosures.
 
Going into this final meeting of the season, Richard Fahey, who is based at Malton, leads the way in the race to be Ripon’s top trainer this season, closely pursued by David O’Meara, while Graham Gibbons has a very narrow advantage over Tony Hamilton the in the jockeys’ category.

 

 

The action at Pontefract next Thursday (September 26) is set to start at 2-20 p.m. with The British Stallion Studs EBF Strawberry Hill Maiden Stakes, a contest for two-year-olds over six furlongs – the first of the pair of races supported during the afternoon by The European Breeders’ Fund.
 
The afternoon’s feature race is The Simon Scrope Dalby Screw-Driver Handicap Stakes over one mile and a quarter. It’s the 21st running of this race, and for the fourth time, it bears the name of a former chairman of Pontefract racecourse, the late Simon Scrope, who passed away in March 2010. The rest of the race title draws attention to an oil painting of 1826 by the celebrated equine artist, David Dalby of York, who specialised in depicting racing and hunting scenes, along with horse portraiture. This particular painting, which is owned by the race company shows ‘Screw-Driver’ – owned by Mr. Flintoff Leatham and ridden by Captain W. Healy of the 7th Hussars – winning The Badsworth Cup at Pontefract on March 29 1824. Middleham trainer, Mark Johnston has a good record in this race, supplying two recent winners in the appropriately-named Art History and Licence To Till.
 
The racecourse’s ‘Postcode Lottery’ £2 promotion for Thursday’s meeting concerns those living in the WF2 area. See the racecourse’s website for details.
 
The giant screen situated opposite the main stands will enable racegoers to follow all of the action.



 
Redcar’s seven-race programme on Wednesday (September 25) is set to begin at 2-10 p.m. with a race for maiden two-year-olds supported by the European Breeders’ Fund in association with British Stallion Studs,
 
Juveniles also take part in The Hold Your Christmas Party Here Nursery Handicap Stakes over the straight mile, while sprinters have their opportunity in both The Download The racing UK App Handicap Stakes (five furlongs) and The Two-Year-Old Trophy Comes Next Handicap Stakes (six furlongs).
 
The latter race title refers to the next meeting at Redcar – on Saturday, October 5 – totepool Two-Year-Old Trophy Day, with the big race – a Listed contest for juveniles – offering guaranteed prize money of £150,000.
 
 The giant screen, situated opposite the main stands, will enable racegoers to see even more action on the track.

 


 
Beverley’s 2013 season comes to an end with a seven-race programme on Tuesday (September 24), when racing is scheduled to start at 2-10 p.m. The afternoon’s principal race is the 14th running of The Violet and Eddie Smith Memorial Conditions Stakes, an £11,500 contest for sprinters over five furlongs, which remembers a brother and sister who enjoyed racing at Beverley.
 
Amateur riders take part in The Brian and Jason Merrington Memorial Handicap Stakes (one mile and a quarter), a race which remembers a former head groundsman at Beverley and his son who also worked at the course.
 
The George Kilburn Memorial Handicap Stakes, contested over the extended seven furlongs, commemorates a former local businessman, racehorse owner and a director of Beverley racecourse.
 
The opening race is a contest for maiden two-year-olds supported by The European Breeders’ Fund in association with British Stallion Studs, while The MPH Fulfilment Handicap Stakes is contested over the extended mile.
 
The giant screen will be in use helping racegoers to follow all of the action on the track.
 
The Beverley Annual Badgeholders Selling Stakes over one mile and a half draws attention to annual membership at the course for 2014, details of which can be obtained by contacting the racecourse on (01482) 867488/882645.


 
 
Catterick’s season on the Flat continues with a seven-race programme on Saturday (September 21), starting at 2-10 p.m. with a contest for maiden two-year-olds supported by The European Breeders’ Fund. It’s the course’s only meeting this month.
 
The principal race is The 2013 Catterick Twelve Furlong Series Final – a £20,000 Handicap contest over one mile and a half. It’s the culmination of a new Series held at Catterick this season; there have been seven qualifying races from when the course’s campaign on the Flat began in April.
 
The Pin Point Recruitment Handicap Stakes, a contest over for three-year-old stayers over one mile and three-quarters, is supported by the Newcastle-based company who are regular sponsors at Catterick.
 
There’s a selection of attractions for children in the Course Enclosure, such as a bouncy castle, roundabout and face painting, along with an indoor play area, while the giant screen will enable racegoers to see even more action on the track, as well as showing the big race action from Newbury and Ayr (featuring the Ayr Gold Cup). Local band, ‘Trio Gitan’ provides the musical entertainment.
 

                                                                                                                   
 
The Pontefract Park Fillies’ Handicap Stakes, a £15.000 sprint contest for fillies and mares over six furlongs, is the feature race on Pontefract’s seven-race programme next Thursday (September 19), which is scheduled to begin at 2-30 p.m. with a contest for maiden two-year-olds supported by Racing Profits Guides Ltd.
 
Misplaced Fortune, trained at Malton by Nigel Tinkler has won the main race on this day for the past two years and the eight-year-old mare could be in the line up again.
 
The longest race of the afternoon is Round Six of the Pontefract Stayers Championship – a Series which incorporates all eight races of at least two miles in distance at the course this year. Going into Thursday’s race – a Handicap contest over two miles and one furlong – Riptide leads the competition with 13 points, followed by Stickleback on ten points and with four horses each having acquired nine points, it promises to be a close battle for the overall honours. At the end of the Series next month, the owner, trainer and stable staff of the horse accumulating the most number of points – according to places obtained – will each receive a memento and £1,000. It’s the tenth year the course has hosted this special competition for stayers.
 
The Rifles Challenge Handicap Stakes is held over one mile, and is named after the local Infantry Regiment, while the final race on Thursday is a handicap contest for apprentice jockeys over the sprint distance of six furlongs.
 
The racecourse’s ‘Postcode Lottery’ £2 promotion for Thursday’s meeting concerns those living in the WF11 area. See Pontefract’s website for details.
 
 The giant screen situated opposite the main stands will assist racegoers in following all of the action on the track.

 

 

Beverley’s penultimate meeting of the season takes place on Wednesday (September 18) – Totepool Day – when the seven-race programme on the Westwood is scheduled to start at 2-00 p.m.
 
The whole card is supported by Totepool, who along with parent company Betfred, comprise one of the biggest commercial sponsors in British racing. The feature race is a contest for three-year-olds over one mile and a half.
 
The afternoon’s final race is part of a national series for apprentice jockeys – The Racing Excellence Apprentice Training Series Classified Stakes, a contest over the extended mile. The series is designed to assist in the development and education of young riders under the auspices of The British Horseracing Authority. The series concludes at Newmarket on November 1 and Shelley Birkett leads the Series, followed by Joey Haynes.
 
Going into this meeting, Middleham trainer, Mark Johnston has recorded 14 winners at Beverley this season, to lead the way in the competition to be the course’s top trainer for the fifth consecutive year. Paul Mulrennan and Dane O’Neill head the jockeys’ category, both having ridden seven winners so far this term on the Westwood.
 
The giant screen will be in use helping racegoers to follow all of the action on the track.



 
Thirsk’s 2013 season comes to a conclusion with a seven-race programme on Tuesday (September 17), when racing is scheduled to begin at 2-10 p.m. with a Nursery Handicap contest for two-year-olds.
 
The feature races are a trio of £8,000 contests, one of them being The Anderson Barrowcliff Centenary Stakes, a handicap contest over seven furlongs supported by the Thornaby-based chartered accountants and business advisers as part of their centenary celebrations.
 
The awards for the top trainer, jockey and apprentice rider during the season at Thirsk are sponsored by Green’s Farm Supplies Ltd. and going into this last meeting of the campaign, David Barron, Danny Tudhope and Connor Beasley lead their respective categories.
 
The giant screen, situated opposite the stands, will enable racegoers to follow even more of the action.

BEVERLEY STAGES A SPECIAL ‘TWILIGHT’ MEETING ON TUESDAY WITH TICKETS AT JUST A FIVER FOR ALL ENCLOSURES

 

Beverley hosts an additional meeting next Tuesday (September 10) – a new ‘Twilight’ fixture, starting at 4-35 p.m. and concluding at 7-10 p.m.

 

To encourage racegoers to sample this unique fixture granted by The British Horseracing Authority, admission into all enclosures is just £5, with accompanied under 18’s as usual admitted free of charge.

 

The opening race is The racehorsetrader.com Maiden Auction Stakes for two-year-olds, while the feature race is The Bet & Watch With Racing UK’s App Handicap Stakes – a contest for sprinters over five furlongs.

 

The giant screen will be in use helping racegoers to follow all of the action.

 

Redcar stages a seven-race programme on Tuesday (September 10), when racing is scheduled to begin at 2-30 p.m.

 

The afternoon’s action includes a qualifying contest in this season’s Racing UK Straight-Mile Championship – a Series which culminates in a £20,000 Final on Saturday, October 5 – a day which also features The totepool Two-Year-Old Trophy, one of the richest races in Europe for juveniles.

 

Also featured are a couple of races for two-year-olds – The Weatherbys Hamilton Insurance Nursery Handicap Stakes and The Market Cross Jewellers Maiden Auction Stakes – while sprinters take part in The Weatherbys Bank Foreign Exchange Handicap Stakes over six furlongs. Based in Wellingbrough, Weatherbys provide a range of services – both administrative and commercial – for the racing industry and are major sponsors throughout the UK, while Market Cross Jewellers are also regular sponsors at Redcar.

 

 The giant screen, situated opposite the main stands, will enable racegoers to see even more action on the track.

 

 

 
There’s fun for all at the annual Press Family Sunday at York Races this weekend (Sunday September 8), including a seven-race thoroughbred card worth over £100,000; featuring the second running of the Betfred Garrowby Stakes, a Listed race for sprinters. Plus, the return of children’s favourite, Peppa Pig to the Knavesmire.
 
For the first time the track will host the Grand Final of the Charles Owen Pony Racing Series. There is a host of entertainment for all from when the gates open at 11-15 a.m.
 
 It is a full day out for both the novice and regular racegoer and, as usual, accompanied children under 16 years of age will be admitted free of charge into all enclosures. Continuing from the previous years is the popular offer of a single admission combining both the Grandstand & Paddock Enclosure with the Course Enclosure for just £12. This will enable racegoers bringing a traditional picnic into the Course Enclosure to enjoy their lunch and then take advantage of the special ‘picnic hamper cloakroom’ and then cross over the track to see the horses close up in the Parade Ring and sample the facilities on the stands side.
 
Also, for this special family meeting, the County Stand dress code is relaxed, with a smart casual being the advice.
 
The action on the track begins at 1-00 p.m. with a couple of races – the respective Finals of the 2013 Charles Owen Pony Racing Series, showcasing the talents of the next generation of riders.
 
Racing under rules starts at 2-00 p.m. with The Judith Marshall Memorial Stakes – a Nursery Handicap for two-year-olds. Sprinters take part in the afternoon’s feature race, The Betfred Garrowby Stakes, this is the second running of this Listed race which has increased prize money of £37,000. It will be run over six furlongs, the same distance as The Hanson Springs 50th Anniversary Stakes –a handicap contest for three-year-old sprinters.  Stayers have their opportunity in The Castles UK Educational & Residential Furniture Stakes (a handicap contest over two miles). Other highlights include The Minster Alarms EBF Maiden Stakes for two-year-olds and the challenging to solve, Coopers Marquees Stakes.
 
The upcoming jockeys are again in the spotlight when they compete in The Future Cleaning Services Apprentice Stakes. This race is Round 7 of nine races in the inaugural ‘Go Racing in Yorkshire’ Future Stars Apprentice Series, which culminates in a Final at Doncaster in November. Coming into this race, North Yorkshire-based riders, Gary Mahon (42 points) and Jacob Butterfield (30 points) lead the way.
 
The Racing Interactive Zone will offer the chance to ride a virtual racehorse, to try on racing silks, question our experts and enter a colouring competition. Meanwhile, Harry the racehorse is a retired star of the track waiting to meet racegoers. We’ll also demonstrate how to saddle him up.
 
For those of all ages, the funfair is back for this meeting. Bouncy castles are also located around the course, along with a wide array of entertainments for the family. There’s also the ever popular face painting.
 
‘Tommo’ – well-known broadcaster, Derek Thompson will share his knowledge of the sport. Listen out for his racing guide and be ready to say hello and see yourself on the big screen as he roams the stands.
 
With just three racedays to go in York’s 2013 season, the competitions for both the Living North Top Jockey at York and the Hatfields Top Trainer are gathering pace, with three-times champion jockey, Ryan Moore ahead on eight winners in the riders’ category, followed by locally-based rider, Danny Tudhope on seven winners. North Yorkshire-based trainer, David O’Meara is also seeking his first title at York, having recorded ten winners so far this year on the Knavesmire.
 
Three-course Sunday lunches are being served from noon, or you might want to enjoy a fresh sandwich on one of the many lawns; either way, a great afternoon awaits.

The annual ‘Ladies Day’ at Thirsk on Saturday (September 7) promises to be stylish and glamorous with an array of fashion prizes to be won in the afternoon’s competitions to find the ‘Best-Dressed Lady’ and ‘Best-Dressed Gentleman’ along with the wearer of the ‘Best Hat’. The seven-race programme – the penultimate meeting of the season at Thirsk – is scheduled to begin at 2-30 p.m.

 

 The most valuable race of the afternoon is The Personal Touches Handicap Stakes, a contest for three-year-olds over one mile offering prize money of £15,000, while The Hambleton Cup, a competitive handicap contest over one mile and a half is one of the oldest races in Britain. The origins of the race can be traced back to 1714, when racing took place at the nearby Hambleton racecourse, the forerunner of Thirsk racecourse. Other highlights include The Barkers Of Northallerton Handicap Stakes, The Adorn Hats Fillies’ Handicap Stakes, The Marc Findlay 21st Birthday Nursery Handicap Stakes and The British Stallion Studs EBF Maiden Stakes. The concluding race is The Thirsk Curry & Comedy Night 11th October Handicap Stakes.

 

The winner of the main ‘Best-Dressed Lady’ competition will receive a £300 gift card to spend in store at Barkers of Northallerton along with a free year’s subscription to either Yorkshire Ridings Magazine along with flowers, champagne and chocolates. In addition, the winner will go forward to represent Thirsk in the Grand Final of the ‘Best-Dressed Lady Racegoer in Yorkshire’ competition, held in October at Doncaster racecourse.. It’s the culmination of a special competition linking all the individual ‘Ladies Days’ on the Yorkshire racecourses this summer. She will then have the chance to win a luxury prize for two at the Best Western Premier Mount Pleasant Hotel near Doncaster, along with a £500 fashion voucher from Yasmine of Bawtry and Epworth and a diamond pendant valued at £2,500 courtesy of lovevintagediamonds.com

 

There are similar prizes in the ‘Best-Dressed Gentleman’ competition, while the lady adjudged to be wearing the best hat will receive a £150 gift voucher donated by milliner Jenny Roberts of Adorn Hats of Harrogate, along with other prizes. There’s also a pair of runners-up prizes in all three categories.

 

Musical entertainment from the bandstand is provided by The LA Jazz Band; for the children, there’s a playground and bouncy slides. The giant screen, situated opposite the stands, will enable racegoers to follow even more of the action.

 

 
 
 
The four-day St. Leger Festival which begins next Wednesday (September 11) at Doncaster, culminates in the oldest Classic race in the world, The Ladbrokes St. Leger Stakes on the Saturday (September 14). This famous Group 1 contest for top-class three-year-olds was first held at Doncaster in 1776 and is sponsored for the ninth year by leading bookmaker, Ladbrokes. Contested over one mile, six furlongs and 132 yards, the fifth and final Classic of the 2013 season has a record prize fund of £600,000 and is part of The QIPCO British Champions Series
 
Possible contenders for the big race include Libertarian (runner-up in the Investec Derby), Excess Knowledge, Galileo Rock, Leading Light, Foundry and Eye Of The Storm.
 
The winning owner will receive the specially-commissioned St. Leger Trophy, depicting the White Rose of Yorkshire; the successful trainer will receive The Dick Hern Trophy – presented in memory of the six-times St. Leger-winning trainer – while the winning jockey will be presented with the traditional embroidered Jockeys’ Cap.
 
Also on Ladbrokes St. Leger Day, Doncaster hosts the first ever Arabian race to be run on a Classic card in Britain. The new addition is the Group 1 Qatar Racing Equestrian Club International Harwood Stakes, taking the total Prize money for the Festival to over £2 million (and in excess of £1 million on Saturday alone). There’s a 2-00 p.m. start to racing on Wednesday (The Crown Hotel at Bawtry Opening Day), while the action on both Thursday (DFS Ladies Day) and Friday (Speedy Services Doncaster Cup Day) gets underway at 1-40 p.m. Ladbrokes St. Leger Day Saturday begins at 2-05 p.m. Accompanied children under 16 years of age are admitted free of charge into all enclosures.
 
Racegoers are in for a treat on the opening day, when some of the most popular and successful jockeys from both codes of racing will don the silks one more time in the fourth renewal of the Leger Legends Classified Stakes over the straight mile – the fourth race on the programme and sponsored for the third time by Clipper Logistics. The race is in aid of two Yorkshire-based charity projects – The Northern Racing College at nearby Rossington Hall and The Injured Jockeys’ Fund, specifically ‘Jack Berry House’- the rehabilitation facility for retired and disabled jockeys to be constructed in the Malton area. Former St. Leger-winning jockeys, John Reid and Kevin Darley are set to ride in this special 16-runner race, along with dual Grand National-winning rider, Carl Llewellyn.
 
The first day of the Festival, as well as featuring The Clipper Logistics Legends Classified Stakes, includes The Crown Hotel Bawtry Scarbrough Stakes (a Listed race for sprinters over five furlongs), The Irish Stallion Farms EBF Conditions Stakes, The Park Hill Hospital Conditions Stakes, The Arena Group Nursery Handicap Stakes, The Berendsen Workwear Handicap Stakes and The Beauty At Doncaster Handicap Stakes
 
Style and glamour compliment the racing on Thursday with a host of prizes for the ‘Best Dressed Lady’ competition. Judges will be circulating in the County and Grandstand Enclosures prior to racing. Further details can be obtained from: www.doncaster-racecourse.co.uk  The contest is once again supported by DFS – the UK’s leading upholstery manufacturer and retailer based in Doncaster, who will provide the star prize. Others donating prizes include ‘Beauty at Doncaster’, ‘Visit Bawtry’, Personal Shopping Experience, Coast Meadowhall and The Crown Hotel, Bawtry.
 
On the track, the highlights on Thursday are the Group 2 DFS Park Hill Stakes for fillies and mares over the St. Leger distance, The Weatherbys Hamilton Insurance £300,000 Two-Year-Old Stakes and The Japan Racing Association Sceptre Stakes (a Group 3 contest for fillies and mares). The European Breeders’ Fund Carrie Red Fillies’ Nursery Handicap (two-year-olds), The Download The Ladbrokes Bingo App Handicap Stakes, The DFS Handicap Stakes and The crownhotel-bawtry.com Irish EBF Maiden Stakes complete the line-up on Thursday.
 
A trio of famous Group 2 races dominate proceedings on Friday. Some of the best stayers in the business will face the starter in The Speedy Services Doncaster Cup over two and a quarter miles, while juvenile sprinters advertise their credentials in The Polypipe Flying Childers Stakes. Precocious two-year-old fillies have their opportunity for big race success in The Barrett Steel May Hill Stakes.
 
Two famous record-breaking steam locomotives built in the railway workshops at Doncaster, ‘The Mallard’ and ‘The Flying Scotsman’ are celebrated on Friday. This year’s renewal of The Ladbrokes Mallard Stakes, a handicap contest over the St. Leger distance, is now complimented by a new Listed race for two-year-olds, The One Call Insurance Flying Scotsman Stakes –a race won in 2010 as a juvenile by Frankel, who went on to become the highest-rated horse in the world. The Frank Whittle Partnership Classified Stakes and The Towndoor Limited Commercial Property Rental Handicap Stakes are also featured.
 
The Ladbrokes St. Leger Stakes takes pride of place on Saturday, and along with the new Group 1 Arabian race, a quality programme also features the Group 2 At The Races Champagne Stakes for leading two-year-olds with Classic and big-race aspirations for next year, The OLBG Park Stakes (another valuable Group 2 race), The Ladbrokes Portland (a Handicap for sprinters), The Harriet Powell Handicap Stakes, The Napoleons Casinos & Restaurants Handicap Stakes and The AgriArgo UK Tractor Challenge Nursery Handicap Stakes.
 
Both The Ladbrokes St. Leger Stakes and The Speedy Services Doncaster Cup are part of the QIPCO British Champions Series, now in its third season.
 
Accompanied children under 18 years of age are admitted free into all enclosures.
 
‘Beauty at Doncaster’ are present during the Festival with a beauty marquee on the Champagne Lawn and roving therapists. Racegoers can enjoy mini pamper treats and ‘emergency’ beauty treatment.
 
For ladies who are struggling with their shoes on both DFS Ladies Day and Ladbrokes St. Leger Day, Ladbrokes are running a golden flip-flop promotion with magnums of champagne as prizes. On Friday, the headline sponsors, Speedy Services – to celebrate their first-time sponsorship of the Doncaster Cup – will be having a 15 dart challenge competition with tickets to be won to go to the Alexandra Palace World Darts Championship in December.
 
Bands will be playing after racing in the County Enclosure on both Thursday and Friday, and in both the County and Grandstand Enclosures at the conclusion of racing on Saturday.
 
Big screens will enable racegoers to follow all of the action on the track, while a shuttle bus service is operating between the railway station and the racecourse, starting in the morning and returning after the fourth race with a stop off on the way back in the town centre.

 

The world’s oldest Classic race, the St. Leger Stakes at Doncaster on Saturday, 14th, is the climax of the four-day Ladbrokes St. Leger Festival on Town Moor which begins on Wednesday, 11th. It’s possible that the first two in the Derby at Epsom in June, Ruler Of The World and Libertarian could renew rivalry in the 237th running of the fifth and final Classic of the British Flat racing season –a race which was first held in 1776. This year’s race – a Group 1 contest over one mile, six furlongs and 132 yards for Europe’s top staying three-year-olds – has record prize money of £600,000.

 

Last year’s race was an epic encounter, with Encke (ridden by the 2011 Derby-winning rider, Mickael Barzalona) denying Camelot the opportunity of being the first horse since Nijinsky in 1970 to win the coveted ‘Triple Crown’. Having been successful in both the 2,000 Guineas and the Derby, Camelot had to settle for the runner-up spot in front of a huge crowd at Doncaster.

 

Several of Britain’s most famous and best-known races are featured during the Ladbrokes St. Leger Festival. The action on the opening day, Wednesday, once again features a ‘Leger Legends Race’ to raise funds for the north’s first residential and rehabilitation centre for injured and retired jockeys soon to be built at Malton. Last year’s race was won by Patriotic, ridden by former St. Leger-winning jockey, Mick Kinane, winning by a nose from the NorthYorkshire – trained Elijah Pepper, ridden by another former St. Leger-winning rider, Yorkshireman George Duffield.

 

The Thursday of the Festival (12th) is DFS Ladies’ Day with classy racing combining with the latest fashions and a ‘Best-Dressed Lady’ competition held during the afternoon.

 

The list of prestigious Group and Listed races which take place during the St. Leger Festival, includes The Scarbrough Stakes on the opening day (Wednesday), The DFS Park Hill Stakes and The Japan Racing Association Sceptre Stakes (Thursday), The Stobart Doncaster Cup, The Polypipe Flying Childers Stakes and The Barrett Steel May Hill Stakes (Friday, 13th) along with The OLBG Park Stakes and The Champagne Stakes on Ladbrokes St. Leger Day – Saturday, 14th. In fact, there’s a new Listed race on the Friday, The One Call Insurance Flying Scotsman Stakes, a contest for two-year-olds which commemorates the construction of the famous steam engine, The Flying Scotsman at Doncaster in 1923 – 90 years ago.

 

The annual ‘Ladies Day’ Thirsk is on Saturday, 7th, in association with Barkers of Northallerton and features a couple of valuable handicap races, including the Hambleton Cup. There will be competitions to find the ‘Best-Dressed Lady’ and the wearer of the best hat. The season at Thirsk concludes with a fixture on Tuesday, 17th.

 

York’s sole meeting this month is the annual Press Family Day on Sunday, 8th. There’s a host of attractions for families and young racegoers, including appearances by Peppa Pig. The highlight of this Sunday programme on the Knavesmire is the second running of a Listed race, The Garrowby Stakes, a contest for sprinters over six furlongs. For the first time at this fixture, York will host the Finals of the nationwide Charles Owen Pony Racing Series, which is sure to include a few potential future jockeys.

 

Yorkshire’s ‘Seaside Racecourse’, Redcar hosts a couple of meetings (Tuesday, 10th and Wednesday, 25th), while Catterick’s campaign on the Flat continues with a Saturday fixture on 21st, featuring The Final of the Catterick Twelve Furlong Series – a Handicap contest offering prize money of £20,000. Racegoers at Catterick will be able to see the action from Ayr on the giant screen, featuring the Ayr Gold Cup – a race which will include several Yorkshire-trained horses. Indeed, last year’s winner, Captain Ramius was trained at Hambleton near Thirsk by Kevin Ryan.

 

The season at Beverley concludes with a couple of meetings this month on Wednesday, 18th and Tuesday, 24th, while Pontefract’s meetingon Thursday, 19th features a valuable sprint Handicap contest for fillies and mares and the sixth round of The Pontefract Stayers’ Championship. The principal race at the West Yorkshire track the following Thursday (26th), The Dalby Screw-Driver Handicap Stakes honours a 19th Century oil painting by the celebrated artist, David Dalby of York, who specialised in depicting racing and hunting scenes. The 1826 painting, which belongs to the racecourse, shows ‘Screw-Driver’ – owned by Mr. Flintoff Leatham and ridden by Captain W. Healy of the 7th Hussars – winning the Badsworth Cup at Pontefract on March 29th 1824. This race is also run in memory of a former chairman of Pontefract racecourse, Simon Scrope.

 

The season at Ripon – Yorkshire’s ‘Garden Racecourse’ comes to a conclusion on Saturday, 28th, the feature race being a £25,000 contest for sprinters, The Ripon, Cathedral City of the Dales Handicap Stakes.

 

 

 
 
 
Speed is the theme of racing at Beverley this Saturday (August 31), with leading sprinters taking part in the afternoon’s feature race, The Betfred Beverley Bullet Sprint Stakes.
 
Racing begins at 1-55 p.m., although prior to the opening race, young riders are featured in a couple of pony races starting at one o’clock, as part of a national series of pony races throughout the UK, The Charles Owen Series under the auspices of The Pony Racing Authority.
 
Saturday’s principal race is the tenth renewal of The Betfred Beverley Bullet Sprint Stakes, a Listed race for sprinters over the minimum distance of five furlongs, carrying increased prize money of £40,000. Last year’s winner, Borderlescott (a dual Group 1 Nunthorpe Stakes winner at York) could be in Saturday’s renewal, as could Tangerine Trees, successful in this race two years ago. Both horses are former winners of the ‘Yorkshire Horse of the Year’ award.
 
Three-year-olds take part in The Betfred ‘Double Delight’ Handicap Stakes, a £20,000 contest over one mile and a quarter. Saturday’s opening race, The European Breeders’ Fund racehorsetrader.com Maiden Stakes, is a contest for two-year-old fillies, while the final race is a Handicap contest for apprentice riders.
 
Youngsters can see former racehorse ‘Harry’, who is now in the care of New Beginnings, a Yorkshire-based community-interest company which looks after and finds homes for retired racehorses. Budding jockeys can also have a go on the mechanical horse provided by The Northern Racing College at Rossington Hall near Doncaster.
 
The giant screen will be in use helping racegoers to follow all of the action.


 

It’s ‘Super Heroes’ Family Day at Thirsk this Friday (August 30), with attractions for young racegoers in the Family Enclosure such as Spiderman and Batman look-a-likes, the ‘Great British Racing’ Kids Roadshow, face painting, bouncy castles and playground. As usual, accompanied children under 18 years of age are admitted free of charge into all enclosures.
 
 The Paradise Steel Band provides the musical entertainment during the afternoon, while the giant screen, situated opposite the stands, will enable racegoers to follow even more of the action on the track.
Racing on Friday is scheduled to begin at 2-10 p.m. and the seven-race programme features The Theakston Lightfoot Handicap Stakes for sprinters over six furlongs and The JW 4×4 Northallerton Handicap Stakes over seven furlongs. The opening race is The British Stallion Studs Maiden Stakes – a contest for two-year-olds – supported by The European Breeders’ Fund.

 
 

 

Catterick’s Family Day on Wednesday (August 28) when racing is scheduled to start at 2-10 p.m. The seven-race programme is supported by Betfred, with the feature race being a Handicap contest for three-year-olds over one mile and a half – a qualifying race for the inaugural Catterick Twelve Furlong Series Final, which takes place next month.
 
There’s a selection of attractions for youngsters in the Course Enclosure, such as bouncy castles, roundabouts, face painting and glitter tattoos while there are vouchers for free sweets (one voucher per child) while stocks last! As usual, accompanied children under 16 years of age are admitted free of charge.
 
New this year is the ‘Kids Love The Races’ Roadshow by Great British Racing, where children can gain an insight into the sport of Racing, while a former racehorse in the care of ‘New Beginnings’, a Yorkshire-based community interest company specialising in re-homing former racehorses, will be at the meeting.
 
Musical entertainment during the afternoon is provided by local band, ‘Trio Gitan’, while the giant screen will enable racegoers to see all of the action on the track.

 


 
Ripon’s traditional Bank Holiday Meeting on Monday and Tuesday (August 26 & 27) is set to feature some of the major races of the year at Yorkshire’s ‘Garden Racecourse’. There are seven races on both days.
 
Bank Holiday Monday’s programme begins at 1-55 p.m. with the highlight being The Ripon Champion Two-Years-Old Trophy 2013 – the only Listed race staged at Ripon. This £30,000 contest for precocious juveniles over six furlongs is supported by The European Breeders’ Fund under the Irish Stallion Farm banner. The race was won last year by Deauville Prince, trained in Cheshire by Tom Dascombe. Notable winners over the years include Sir Xaar, Space Shuttle, Invincible Spirit, Kahir Almaydan and Desert Phantom.
 
The Ripon Rowels Handicap Stakes (a £20,000 contest over one mile) is the main supporting race, while The Billy Nevett Memorial Handicap Stakes, a race for three-year-old sprinters, commemorates a former top northern jockey, who rode three wartime Derby winners, including Dante in 1945 – the last northern-trained horse to win the Classic. In a long and distinguished career as a jockey, Billy Nevett rode 2,068 winners between 1924 and 1956, recording his 2,000th winner at a Ripon meeting in 1955. He passed away in 1992, aged 86.
 
The concluding race on Monday is the penultimate contest in The Betfair Novice Flat Amateur Riders’ Series.
 
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 Sapper Conditions Stakes over five furlongs. This race is named in honour of the Ripon-based 2/1 Regiment Royal Engineers, members of which are making their annual visit to their local racecourse.
 
Ripon’s permanent giant screen will enable racegoers to have an even closer view of the action on the track. There’s musical entertainment from the bandstand on Bank Holiday Monday by The Tom Roberts Jazz Band, and there’s a selection of attractions for children in the Course Enclosure, such as bouncy castles, face-painting, an inflatable assault course, balloon modelling, along animals from the locally-based Riggmoor Reindeer Farm. There are designated play areas for youngsters, and as usual, children under 16 years of age will be admitted free of charge into all enclosures.

More than 20 racehorse trainers will be opening their doors to the public at Malton’s annual open day which takes place in North Yorkshire on Sunday, August 25 offering a unique opportunity to meet the horses, talk to the trainers and to see first hand the area’s racing industry.

 

The Malton area has been associated with the training of thoroughbreds for more than 300 years and is the third largest training centre in the UK, after Newmarket and Lambourn. The area is home to more than 1000 racehorses and last year they produced the winners of 600 flat races, 150 jump races and more than £4million in prize money.

 

This year’s open day is sponsored by Betfair and is being staged as a fund raiser for four charities, Malton Hospital, the Yorkshire Air Ambulance, Jack Berry House and Racing Welfare and to highlight the trainers based in North Yorkshire.

Susannah Gill, Head of Public Affairs at Betfair: “We are thrilled to be sponsoring the Malton Open Day on 25 August; Malton is one of the country’s most established training centres and we are delighted to take on the sponsorship for the first time. We already sponsor the Middleham, Lambourn and Newmarket Open Days which raise money for some brilliant horse racing related charities.”

 

Many yards will host individual demonstrations such as physiotherapy, equine dentistry and farriery, and there will also be the opportunity to watch  renowned horse whisperer Gary Witheford as he reveals the unique techniques he uses to deal with equine traits and behaviour and there will be a display by Retraining of Racehorses.

 

Equine celebrity honours go to the 2012 John Smith’s Grand National winner Auroras Encore who will be paraded by his trainer Sue Smith.

Classic winning trainer Tim Easterby, who last year  won the Top Trainer in Yorkshire tilte at the Go Racing in Yorkshire Awards for the fitfth time, said: “We are delighted to be supporting the Malton Open Day again. All three of our yards will be open, and all our horses will be on show. There is a tremendous community atmosphere training in this part of England, and the open day is a fantastic opportunity for the public to see what we have to offer, and have a really lovely day out with all the family.”

 

Malton Market Place looks set to be a hive of activity with the legendary  former jockey-turned-TV presenter John Francome, Jack Berry and David Elsworth taking part in a question and answer session, a display of local racing memorabilia, horseracing photography, a children’s section hosted by the British Horseracing Education and Standards Trust and refreshments stands.

 

Karon Brown, a member of the Malton Racing Association, said: “The aim of the Open Day is to  promote horse racing and Malton and to raise money for four fantastic charities. We are hoping to put on a really fun day out for everyone so that people really get a taste of an incredible sport and a wonderful place for training horses.”

 

The yards open from  9am until 1pm, with Tim Easterby’s opening half an hour earlier,  and admission is £10 per adult with under 12s free. Admission includes a free park and ride system with a bus every 15 to 20 minutes taking visitors to all the yards in Malton and Norton. Included in the price is a £3 discount off admission at Beverley Races in the afternoon.
  
For more details visit Maltonstablesopenday.co.uk.

 


 
Beverley’s annual August Bank Holiday Sunday Meeting takes place this weekend (August 25), with a host of attractions for young racegoers in the Course Enclosure, provided as usual (for a nominal fee) by The Beverley Lions, along with ferret racing.
 
Adults are catered for with a combined Folk Festival (‘live’ music between racing from various bands on the Lavender Lawn) and The Wold Top Beer Festival, which offers a selection of around 30 hand-pulled real ales in the Minster Bar.
 
Racing on Sunday is scheduled to begin at 2-20 p.m. with The John Jenkins Memorial Claiming Stakes, a race which commemorates a local vet who was a member of the racecourse for many years. This is the 13th year a race has been held in his memory.
 
The Wold Top Beer Festival Here Today Handicap Stakes (a contest for three-year-olds over the extended mile) and The Andrew Little Butchers Of Hedon Nursery Handicap Stakes for two-year-olds over five furlongs are featured, while the Final Round of the Beverley Middle Distance Series (now in its third year) is a Handicap contest over one mile and a half. Flamingo Beat, trained at Newmarket by Rae Guest, is the leader of this popular series after a win and a second place this season.
 
The players of Old Crossleyans Rugby Club of Halifax make their annual visit to Beverley to support a contest for maiden two-year-olds in conjunction with The European Breeders’ Fund.
 
Three-year-olds have their opportunity in The Beverley Lions Handicap Stakes (five furlongs) and The Constant Security Handicap Stakes (one mile and a quarter) – the latter race supported by the company which provides the security duties on racedays at Beverley.
 
The giant screen will be in use helping racegoers to follow all of the action.

 
 Best-Dressed competitions, a Fashion Show, a ‘Pamper Zone’, ‘Fun Casino Tables’ and live music are all part of Redcar’s evening meeting this Saturday (August 24) – ‘Ladies & Gents Evening’, when racing is set to begin at 5-30 p.m.
 
There are competitions to find the ‘Best-Dressed Lady’, ‘Best-Dressed Gent’ and ‘Best-Dressed Couple’, with a host of prizes in each category. There’s also a Fashion Show during the evening and racegoers can also try their luck in the Fun Casino, experience the ‘Pamper Zone’ – courtesy of Orange Kerr Hair & Beauty – and boogie along to local band, Chilli & The Peanuts.
 
Market Cross Jewellers provide top prizes in all three ‘Best-Dressed’ competitions, namely a DKNY Ladies’ Watch, an Accurist Mens’ Chronograph Watch and His & Her Boss Watches. Also, the ‘Best-Dressed Lady’ will receive a bespoke hate from Chic Hats. The ‘Best-Dressed Gent’ will also win a £400 suit, shirt & tie from Baker’s Tailoring of Middlesbrough. In addition for the ‘Best-Dressed Couple’, there’s a location photoshoot by Capture Le Coeur Photography and beauty treatments by Orange Kerr Hair & Beauty. ‘Flowers by Hannah’ provide bouquets in two of the categories.
 
Racing on Saturday evening features is a qualifier in this season’s Racing UK Straight-Mile Championship, a popular handicap series which culminates in a Final on Saturday, October 5 – a day which also features The totepool Two-Year-Old Trophy, one of the richest races in Europe for juveniles.
 
Regular sponsors, Market Cross Jewellers return to support a contest for maiden two-year-olds, while three-year-old stayers line-up for The Betty & Goff Memorial Handicap Stakes over one mile and three-quarters.
 
Former jockey, Jimmy Bleasdale will conduct a ‘behind the scenes’ tour of the racecourse, including a visit to the weighing room, starting at 3-30 p.m. from in front of the Petch Stand.
 
Tickets are available on the night, and there’s free parking. Accompanied children under 16 years of age are admitted free of charge into all enclosures, while the giant screen, situated opposite the main stands, will enable racegoers to see even more action on the track.

 
 
Ahead of the Welcome to Yorkshire Ebor Festival (Wednesday 21 August – Saturday 24 August), York Racecourse has released more details of the additional elements that will contribute to a fantastic festival of fashion, food, friendship and fun; alongside the twenty-five fabulous races.
 
Total Prize Fund for this year’s racing action will be over £3.200,000, an increase of £270,000 on 2012 values. The first day of the festival is Wednesday 21 August which is a million pound raceday at York and will feature the richest single race York has ever staged, the Group 1 Juddmonte International now worth £750,000. 
 
Fashion is always prominent at the Ebor and leading milliner Yvette Jelfs will be on hand with top tips for top hats.  For all four days, racegoers will be able to take to the catwalk in the dedicated “Fashion at the Ebor” marquee.  Each day there will be a prize for the winner of the best dressed racegoer as well as for the best hat.  The daily winner on Ladies Day (Thursday 22 August), will also be crowned ‘Best Dressed Racegoer’, and will win a short break for two to the Marriott Hotel in Dubai as well as entry to the Dubai World Cup Race Night.  The competition is open to ladies, gentlemen and children, who will each have their own category prize. It is about looking your best and enjoying fashion, it is not a search for a supermodel.  The judging panel will consist of different guest judges over the course of the four days, including top designers.  For those seeking some retail therapy amongst others, there will be Yvette Jelfs hats as well handbags from Oriella, and clothing from Country Sporting of Cashel.
 
Food is a key part of the raceday experience and the team of over 60 chefs will use the best of Yorkshire ingredients to prepare 10,000 rounds of sandwiches, dressing 2,000 East Coast crab and using 450 dozen Yorkshire eggs in their desserts and sauces.
 
A hallmark of the Ebor Festival is the Yorkshire value on offer, a stand out example is champagne at £29.50 a bottle on selected bars, with Mercier at £30.50.  The Pimms Summer Bus is due at the course serving alongside John Smith’s and hand pulled Theakston Yorkshire ale.
 
A popular aspect of the Ebor Festival last year was the edible racehorse sculpture created by the combined talents of Yorkshire Sculpture Artist Emma Stothard and this year Harvey Nicholls window dresser Bruce Emeritt.  The team has again been commissioned to celebrate York Racecourse Hospitality’s commitment to using Yorkshire produce and their 2013 design will be revealed on raceday but expect to see a reference to the Grand Départ of the Tour de France which will see York Racecourse as the start of Day 2 on Sunday 6 July 2014.
 
The festival atmosphere will see live music on all four days ranging from Murphy’s Marbles foot stomping Irish folk band fun to a Yorkshire Brass Band on the Weighing Room Lawn, performing in to the early evening to let the crowd linger a while after racing.
 
Art lovers also have a wide choice with the Blue Rider Gallery offering fine equestrian art and the Ascot Gallery offering a varied selection of prints and originals; the special commission of “Frankel at York” is expected to be popular.
 
York works in partnership with its sponsors and racegoers can look out for the latest Range Rover Sport on display around the course and to relaxing in deckchairs courtesy of Neptune Investment Management.  The horse is never far away and QIPCO, sponsors of the four British Champions Series races as well as Future Stars Apprentice Stakes, provide the opportunity for racegoers to meet a real racehorse who will be waiting in his special stable to greet them all week.
 
As some racegoers make Ebor week their annual trip to York, it is the first opportunity they may have had to enjoy the projects completed ahead of the season. The runners will pass in front of the recently refurbished County Stand, a Listed building that has seen its Edwardian charms both preserved and enhanced by the work of Yorkshire craftsmen, marshalled by Gem Construction Ltd of York.
 
Behind the freshly painted signature barber poles, racegoers can sample the snug created in the Alcoves Bar this season, whilst enjoying their choice of, wines from Cloudy Bay, hand-pulled Theakston Best Bitter or Laurent-Perrier champagne at York’s trademark low prices.
 
Four days of racing, fashion, food, and festival atmosphere await.

 

 

Record prize money of over £3.2 million will be offered for the Welcome to Yorkshire Ebor Festival, over the four feature days (21, 22, 23 and 24 August), a boost of £270,000 (9%).
 
The richest race ever staged at York will be the Group One Juddmonte International, the showpiece of the opening day when the top middle distance horses in the world will compete for £750,000 (up by £25,000) and the chance to join the roll of honour headed by Frankel.
 
Probably the most famous race at York, the Betfred Ebor itself, will be cemented as the richest flat handicap in Europe by the addition of £25,000 to the prize pot making it worth a quarter of a million pounds.
 
Consistent with an annual review process there are some alterations to the twenty-five race programme, the most significant of which will see a pair of famous Group Two races swap places.  The Weatherbys Hamilton Insurance Lonsdale Cup, the richest staying Group 2 of the QIPCO British Champions Series, will move to Friday 23 August in a switch with the Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Gimcrack Stakes which will now to be run on Ebor Day, Saturday 24 August.  Both contests will have more prize money, a £10,000 injection going towards the leading staying race of the week set to offer £150,000, whilst the juvenile sprint will receive the biggest boost of any single race increasing its prize fund to £200,000 (up by a third or £50,000). This makes the Gimcrack by far the richest Group 2 for juveniles. 
 
Chief Executive and Clerk of the Course, William Derby, said, “We are delighted to be investing in a record prize fund for our flagship Festival. This year we are switching our two famous Group 2 contests to help balance the race programme – the two mile Weatherbys Hamilton Insurance Lonsdale Cup joins our Group 1 sprint the Coolmore Nunthorpe on the Friday card while the six furlong Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Gimcrack joins the 1 mile six furlong Betfred Ebor and Melrose on the Saturday.”
 
The Festival welcomes Connolly’s RED MILLS as a sponsor to The Group 2 Lowther which has been increased by £40,000 to a prize fund of £150,000 making it the richest Group 2 for juvenile fillies. On the same Thursday, Ladies Day card, the Darley Yorkshire Oaks has been raised to £325,000, making it the richest all age fillies Group 1 race of the season, apart from the Fillies and Mares contest on British Champions Day, so it is most apt that it forms a key leg of the QIPCO backed British Champions Series. 
 
Minimum prize money on offer for any race at Ebor has been increased to £30,000 (2012: £25,000) and the three Listed contests supported by the European Breeders’ Fund, Betfred and the family of Julia Graves have all been increased to £50,000 each, some £13,000 more than BHA race values. 
 
On the Friday, a new one mile handicap for three year olds has been added to the card securing a second new backer to the event in Nationwide Accident Repair Services.  Completing both the new partners and a fully sponsored schedule are Lanstone Building Conservation who back a stayer’s handicap on the opening day.  Friday also sees the richest maiden run in Britain, the £30,000 Sky Bet Mobile Convivial Maiden Stakes over seven furlongs which is also part of the Racing Post Yearling Bonus Scheme with a potential additional £10,000 for the winner.
 
The support of QIPCO is prevalent on all four days with the three Group Ones and Friday’s £150,000 Group 2 Weatherbys Hamilton Insurance Lonsdale Cup all part of the British Champions Series.  The final race of the Festival will once again be the QIPCO Future Stars Apprentice Race over five furlongs for three year olds with a prize fund of £30,000, part of a three race initiative which started at Glorious Goodwood and ends on British Champions Day, it intends to focus on the rising talents in the jockey ranks.
 
The international standing of the races is further enhanced with the Connolly’s RED MILLS Lowther joining the Coolmore Nunthorpe as part of the Breeder’s Cup Challenge Series.  Both the Juddmonte International and Darley Yorkshire Oaks are nominated by the Japan Racing Association for big bonuses if the winner travels to the far east in the autumn. 
 
All races at the Festival will have speed tracking equipment attached to runners to allow an instant relay of speed and position information to racegoers and viewers which will delivered by Turftrax. 
 
There are also prizes for the Leading Jockey of the Festival backed by Sky Bet and the White Rose Award where Living North magazine will provide a special prize for the stand-out moment over the four days. Of course this went to the mighty Frankel in 2012.
 
William Derby concluded, “Twenty-one of our twenty-five races that make up the Welcome to Yorkshire Ebor Festival have been increased in value which means, when combined with last year’s increases to a further three contests, that all bar the already valuable sales race, have been increased over the last two years. Add in the various bonus initiatives and it becomes a yet more attractive proposition for connections.  The quality and quantity of horses running at the Ebor Festival continues to increase and we are very much looking forward to welcoming the very best horses and jockeys to York and so witnessing some compelling and competitive racing action.”

 
Thirsk’s ‘Pirates Family Day’ Meeting on Monday afternoon (August 19) is a seven-race programme scheduled to begin at 2-00 p.m. with a race for maiden two-year-olds supported by The European Breeders’ Fund.
 
There’s a variety of attractions for young racegoers, including an inflatable ‘Pirate’s Ship’, a Captain Jack Sparrow look-a-like, face painting and a children’s playground. The Paradise Steel Band provide the  musical entertainment from the Paddock Enclosure bandstand.
 
The feature races are The welcometoherriotcountry.com Handicap Stakes over one mile (supported by Yorkshire’s Herriot Country Tourism Group),  The Watch Racing UK On Sky 432 Handicap Stakes (three-year-olds – one mile and a half), while sprinters take part in The Bet & Watch With Racing UK’s App Handicap Stakes over five furlongs.
 
 The giant screen, situated opposite the stands, will enable racegoers to follow even more of the action on the track.

FAMILY SUNDAY AT PONTEFRACT
 
The European Breeders’ Fund Highfield Farm Flying Fillies’ Stakes – the fourth of Pontefract’s quintet of Listed races during the season – tops a quality seven-race programme this Sunday (August 18), beginning at 2-15 p.m. It’s Pontefract’s third and final Sunday fixture of 2013 and there’s a host of attractions for young racegoers from when the gates open at 11-30 a.m., and as usual, accompanied children under 16 years of age are admitted free into all enclosures.
 
First held in 1999, The Flying Fillies’ Stakes – a race for fillies and mares over the sprint distance of six furlongs – offers increased prize money of £50,000 and is once again supported by The European Breeders’ Fund, this time in conjunction with Highfield Farm Stud of Lancashire (who return to sponsor this race, having supported it in 2009) Mince – ridden by Frankie Dettori – won last year’s race. Mince went on to win a Listed race at York and a Group 3 contest at Ascot.
 
Maiden two-year-olds take part the opening race, The British Stallion Studs EBF Trevor Woods Memorial Maiden Stakes, while Nova Display Ltd. of Peckfield Business Park sponsor once again at this meeting. They supply bespoke services to shops and the retail trade and put their name to the final race, a handicap contest for sprinters over six furlongs.
 
 Stayers are in action in the longest race of the afternoon, The St. John Ambulance Handicap Stakes over two miles and one furlong. This race is the fifth of the eight races which comprise this season’s Pontefract Stayers’ Championship, a competition which is led by Riptide, trained in Herefordshire by Michael Scudamore.
 
 Also featured are a couple of races supported by totepool (a Handicap contest over one mile and a half, along with a contest for maidens over one mile), while The CGC Events For Conference & Banqueting Handicap Stakes is contested by three-year-olds over one mile.
 
Former racehorses under the care of New Beginnings, a Yorkshire-based community interest company will be in attendance, along with greyhounds for youngsters to meet.
 
For the first time at this meeting, there’s a new interactive Roadshow for children – The ‘Kids Love The Races’ Roadshow – held in association with Great British Racing, designed to inform and entertain youngsters regarding racing.
 
The other family attractions include performances by the National Festival Circus, children’s fun-fair, along with face-painting and free ice-creams for children (while stocks last!). The giant screen situated opposite the main stands will assist racegoers in following all of the action on the track.

 
 
To celebrate Doncaster’s last meeting before next month’s prestigious four-day Ladbrokes St. Leger Festival, this Saturday’s meeting on Town Moor (August 17) – ‘A Beautiful Day’ on Town Moor includes performances after racing by tribute bands ‘Oasish’, ‘Stereotonics’ and ‘U2-2’.
 
 
The seven-race programme begins at 1-55 p.m. and the principal race is The PC Excavations Ltd. Handicap Stakes – a £20,000 contest over seven furlongs. Also featured are The Joc Murray Memorial Handicap Stakes, The S.Smith T/A Pro-Pave Ltd. EBF Maiden Fillies’ Stakes (in aid of the ‘Wish Upon A Star’ Charity), The ‘Beauty At Doncaster’ Maiden Stakes, The Expert Guide To Doncaster At doncasterracecoursetips.co.uk Handicap Stakes and The freebets.co.uk Apprentice Handicap Stakes.
 
The opening race – The Crown Hotel Bawtry Leger Preview Dinner Handicap Stakes – draws attention to the special St. Leger Festival Preview evening at the hotel on Tuesday, September 10. It’s black-tie affair and there’s expert advice from racing broadcasters Derek Thompson and Simon Mapletoft, along with David Williams of Ladbrokes and form expert, Roger Hart.
 
The giant screen, situated opposite the main stands will enable racegoers to see all of the action. A shuttle bus service will be in operation from the railway station.


 
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 17) – the richest raceday ever staged at Yorkshire’s ‘Garden Racecourse’ with total prize money of £144,000 up for grabs. For the second year, this meeting includes The William Hill Silver Trophy a £20,000 ‘consolation’ race for those horses entered for, but eliminated from the feature race.
 
Contested over six furlongs, The Great St. Wilfrid Stakes continues to be supported 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 two years by Pepper Lane, trained at Nawton near Helmsley by David O’Meara and ridden by Danny Tudhope.
 
The successful owner in Saturday’s big race will receive a silver trophy depicting Ripon’s Patron Saint, St. Wilfrid, mounted on horseback.
 
 Racing on Saturday begins at 2-15 p.m.
 
Two-year-olds are put through their paces in The Ripon Horn Blower Conditions Stakes over the sprint distance of six furlongs, offering increased 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 VW Van Centre (West Yorkshire) 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.
 
The afternoon’s opening race, a contest for maiden two-year-olds over six furlongs, sees the first-time sponsorship at Ripon of Wooltex UK Ltd. of Huddersfield.
 
Musical entertainment from the bandstand is provided by The Fanfare Brass Band and Ripon’s permanent giant screen will enable racegoers to see even more of the action. There’s a selection of rides for children in the Course Enclosure.


 
 
Glamour and style combine with racing at Catterick on Friday evening (August 16) as ‘Ladies Evening’ at the course begins at 5-35 p.m.
 
There are competitions to find the ‘Best Dressed Lady’ competition and the wearer of the ‘Best Hat’ during the evening, supported by Dawn Caroline Smith Photography (a photo-shoot at Rockliffe Hall Hotel & Spa for the ‘Best-Dressed Lady’), Yorkshire Outdoors of Felixkirk near Thirsk and ‘Oops A Daisy’, who provide the flowers. The winner will go forward to represent Catterick in the Grand Final of the ‘Best Dressed Lady Racegoer in Yorkshire’ competition, held in October at Doncaster racecourse. It’s the culmination of a special competition linking all the individual ‘Ladies Days’ on the Yorkshire racecourses this summer. She will then have the chance to win a luxury prize for two at the Best Western Premier Mount Pleasant Hotel near Doncaster, along with a £500 fashion voucher from Yasmine of Bawtry and Epworth and a diamond pendant valued at £2,500 courtesy of lovevintagediamonds.com
 
For the fourth year at this meeting, Newcastle-based Pin Point Recruitment sponsor the opening race of the evening, a middle-distance handicap contest for amateur riders.
 
There’s ‘live’ music during the evening provided by local band, ‘Trio Gitan’. As usual, the giant screen will enable racegoers to see all of the action on the track and there’s a selection of attractions for youngsters in the Course Enclosure, such as face painting, bouncy castle and roundabouts, along with the indoor play area.
 


 
BOOK up the beauty salons, get out the dresses and the fascinators – fashion and finery collide in the social highlight of the season in East Yorkshire, The Journal Ladies’ Day at Beverley Racecourse, and tickets are still available.
 
Kicking off a two-day meeting on the Westwood, which begins on Wednesday, August 14, and continues on Thursday, August 15, there’s brilliant action both on and off the track.
 
This year’s The Journal Ladies’ Day is promising to be bigger and smarter than ever. Beverley Chief Executive Sally Iggulden says: “We are rightfully proud of the amazing day out that The Journal Ladies’ Day provides, but this year we are redressing it as a Summer Garden Party.
“We have added new zoned areas to provide something for everyone including a new laid back area called the Lavender Lawn, and an English Country Garden. It’s going to be our smartest The Journal Ladies’ Day yet!”
 
A seven race programme on Wednesday begins with The Journal Classified Claiming Stakes. Also featured from the Mail News & Media stable are The Hull Daily Mail/British Stallion Farms EBF Maiden Stakes, the East Riding Mail Maiden Auction Stakes, the Beverley Advertiser Handicap Stakes and the Property Guide Handicap Stakes.
 
Rawfield UK Ltd., building contractors of Hornsea, return once more to support a contest for sprinters over five furlongs, with Paragon Data, while the Wold Construction Brian And Ian Memorial Handicap Stakes is a race for three-year-olds and upwards over a mile and a quarter – the feature of the afternoon.
 
But, of course, the racing action is only part of the attraction.
 
Throughout the day, a team of five judges will be scouring the racecourse in search of contestants for the titles of Best Dressed Lady, Best Dressed Gentleman and Best Hat.
The lucky winner of this year’s Best Dressed Lady will pick up a raft of brilliant prizes – with a year’s hairdressing services worth up to £1,000 from one of Unique’s three salons in Beverley, Cottingham and Hessle, together with £250 worth of Wella Hair products just the opener.
In addition, KP Club in Kilnwick Percy are offering the winner a two night stay, including breakfast, in their brand new luxury hotel-style suite ‘The Huxtable’, a two-course meal in the KP Club’s Glasshouse Restaurant and a bottle of Veuve Clicquot champagne on arrival.
And that’s not all. The winner will also enjoy Sunday Lunch for two in the Vale of York restaurant with stunning views over the Wolds. A complimentary Molton Brown gift pack, a round of golf and buggy, and in-room pampering treatment round off a quite stunning prize package.
 
The crowning glory of any race day outfit is a beautiful hat and this year’s prize for the best headwear will win a bespoke hat made to the winner’s exclusive design by milliner Sharon Watts from Whatahat.co.uk
 
Last, but by no means least, all the winners will be presented with a stunning bouquet courtesy of The Floral Lounge at The Glasshouse and a bottle of champagne from GCG Events, caterers to the racecourse.
 
The winner of the Best Dressed Lady competition will represent Beverley in the Grand Final of ‘Go Racing in Yorkshire Best Dressed Lady for 2013’, staged at Doncaster on Racing Post Trophy Day, Saturday, October 26.
 
Back on the track on Thursday, a seven-race card climaxes with the White Rose Saddlery Amateur Riders’ Handicap Stakes at 5.50pm. The Malton shop, run by master saddler Wendy Hoggard, has a ‘satellite’ outlet at Beverley situated close to the weighing room.
 
The feature race of the day is the Racing UK iCard For Today’s Racing Handicap Stakes over two miles for horses aged three and upwards.
 
Racing on the Westwood begins at 2.10pm on The Journal Ladies’ Day and at 2.30pm on Thursday. Tickets are still available for both meetings – call 01482 867488 to book, or log on to www.beverley-racecourse.co.uk

 


 
WHETHER it’s enjoying cocktails by the paddock, or being photographed like a celebrity as you enter the racecourse, why not live like a celebrity for an evening at Thirsk’s Glitz and Glamour Night on Monday, August 12.
 
The North Yorkshire track is laying out the red carpet and racegoers can get suited and booted for a night of fine action. To add to the ‘glitzy’ theme of the evening, casino tables and a Party Photo-booth will be in the James Herriot Hall. With competitive action to enjoy on the track too, it promises to be a great fun evening that is not to be missed.
 
The course’s final evening meeting of the season begins at 5.25pm with The Betfair Novice Flat Amateur Handicap Stakes, a contest over two miles for novice amateur riders. Three-year-olds and upwards take part in The Read Hayley Turner Every Friday racinguk.com Selling Handicap Stakes, over a mile, while the Calverts Carpets Handicap Stakes is competed over a mile by three-year-olds only at 8pm.
 
The racing programme on Monday also includes the feature £7,500 Market Cross Jewellers Handicap Stakes – a five furlong dash down the straight – while the action concludes at 8.30pm over a mile-and-a-half in the Download The Free Racing UK App Handicap Stakes.
 
The giant screen, situated opposite the stands, will enable racegoers to follow even more of the action on the track. A Premier Enclosure badge on the day of racing costs £21, while Paddock Enclosure tickets are £14. Children aged under 18 can gain entry to the racecourse free of charge, when accompanied by a paying adult.


 
SHIVER me timbers and prepare to board!
 
Dust off those pirate costumes and those grass skirts once more as Redcar Racecourse hosts its popular Caribbean party on Saturday, August 10.
 
Enjoy a cocktail or dance to the rhythm of the steel band at the Tees Valley track, where both children and adults can dress up in their best outfits to wow the judges in the Caribbean Fancy Dress Competition.
 
One of Redcar’s most popular racedays, racegoers are advised to arrive early and the programme wouldn’t be complete without ex-jockey Jimmy Bleasdale also conducting his popular Behind The Scenes tour of the racecourse.
 
Including a visit to the weighing room, the tour will start at 12.15pm. People interested in taking part are asked to meet in front of the Petch Stand.
 
As usual, there will be lots of entertainment for children, including clowns, face painting, stilt walkers, bouncy castles and slides.
 
On the track, the feature contest of a seven race meeting is the £10,000 Download The Free Racing UK App Handicap Stakes – the third race on the card at 3.10pm and a qualifier race for the prestigious final of the Straight-Mile Championship in October.
 
Seven furlongs will face the runners in the Alec & Mary Golden Wedding Anniversary Handicap Stakes, which is staged at 3.45pm, aimed at horses aged three-years-old and upwards and is also worth £10,000.
 
Gates open at noon and racing gets under way at 2pm.
 
The highlights for the rest of 2013 at Redcar Racecourse include:
 
Saturday, August 24 – Ladies’ and Gents’ evening
Saturday, October 5 – The £150,000 Tote Two Year Old Trophy, Listed Guisborough Stakes and the final of the Racing UK Straight Mile Championship Series.
 
General admission
 
Grandstand £15; Course Enclosure £5. Accompanied children under 16 always admitted free of charge. A Curry & A Pint Package is £25 in the Grandstand enclosure, while the BBQ Package is £37.50 for adults.

 

 

Michelle Taylor from Grimsby won the ‘Best Dressed Lady’ competition at the recent Ladies’ Day meeting at Pontefract racecourse.  

 

Michelle wore a classic white knee length sleeveless dress, which was the perfect choice for a day when the course was bathed in sunshine and the stands packed to the rafters.

 

However, it was the stunning hat and matching accessories which really caught the eye of the judges.

 

Michelle, whose hobbies include hat making, created the distinctive white circle hat, which was topped off with crystals and strawberries. A matching parasol and shoes completed the winning look. 

 

Her prizes included an overnight stay at Rogerthorpe Manor in Pontefract and a chauffeur driven trip to Napoleons Casino. In addition she received a £100 gift voucher for Poshfrox, a meal for two at The Grange in York and a bouquet of flowers, courtesy of Ackroyds Florists.

 

She also had the honour of presenting the trophy to the winning connections of the fourth race on the card.

 

Michelle, who was among a hen party celebrating the forthcoming wedding of her niece Rebecca Hill, was one of 20 finalists who took their place in the Winners Enclosure in the keenly contested competition to find Pontefract’s best dressed lady.

 

The full line up was whittled down to the final three, which included in third place Anne Body of Allerton Bywater and runner up Karen Bowran of Knaresborough, who each received a selection of prizes.      

 

However, for occasional racegoer Michelle the day was about to get even better. Having just landed the prestigious fashion prize, her selection in the fifth race, ‘Chosen One’, also romped to victory.

 

‘I know nothing about horses or studying the form, but having been chosen as the winner of the best dressed lady competition the name of this horse seemed totally appropriate. I couldn’t believe it when it won, but it topped off what was a fantastic day,’ said Michelle.    

 

She now goes forward to represent Pontefract in the Grand Finale of the ‘Go Racing in Yorkshire Best Dressed Lady 2013’ competition which takes place at Doncaster on October 26th.                                                                                    

The prize for the overall winner is a luxury two night break in a Spa Suite with treatments included at the Best Western Premier Mount Pleasant Hotel in Doncaster, a £500 fashion voucher for Yasmine of Bawtry and Epworth and a diamond pendant to the value of £2500, courtesy of lovevintagediamonds.com.

 

The winner will also become the face of Go Racing in Yorkshire for 2014, which promotes racing at the county’s nine racecourses.  

 

The next Ladies’ Day in the county takes places at Beverley Racecourse on Wednesday August 14th.
 

 

Dates of the Ladies’ Days for 2013 are:

 

  • Thursday May 30th (Evening) – Wetherby
  • Thursday, June 20th – Ripon
  • Saturday, June 22nd – Redcar
  • Wednesday, August 7th – Pontefract
  • Wednesday, August 14th – Beverley
  • Friday, August 16th (Evening) – Catterick
  • Thursday, August 22nd – York
  • Saturday, September 7th – Thirsk
  • Thursday, September 12th – Doncaster


 
Fashion and racing combine at Pontefract’s annual Ladies’ Day on Wednesday (August 7); a seven-race programme which begins at 2-00 p.m. with a handicap contest for gentleman amateur riders.
 
There’s a free buttonhole and glass of bubbly for the first 500 ladies into the Premier Enclosure, while bookings are being taken for the various Ladies Day packages.
 
The feature race of the afternoon is a handicap contest over one mile and a half offering prize money of £15,000. Three-year-old sprinters take part in the final race, The Keith Hammill Memorial Handicap Stakes over six furlongs. Keith’s son, Richard, is the assistant manager and clerk of the course at Pontefract. Two-year-olds are catered for in The Family & Friends Of Francis Hamilton Memorial Maiden Stakes, a race also supported by The European Breeders’ Fund, while Big Fellas Nightclub of Pontefract return to support a race.
 
This season’s renewal of The Chaplins Club Handicap Stakes (five furlongs) remembers one of the north’s most remarkable sprinters, whose victory at this equivalent meeting in 1988 was incredibly his seventh win in 18 days and his second in less than 24 hours, having been successful at Ayr the previous evening! Trained at Stillington by the late David Chapman, Chaplins Club carried the colours of Peter Savill, former chairman of the then British Horseracing Board, and who provided a challenge trophy – depicting Charlie Chaplin – for the race.
 
‘Golden Oldies’ have their opportunity in The Matty Bown Veterans Handicap Stakes – a contest over one mile for six-year-olds and upwards. This race remembers a former employee of the racecourse, who worked at Pontefract before, during and after the Second World War.
 
There’s a Best-Dressed Lady competition during the afternoon, with prizes to be won including a VIP trip to Napoleon’s Casino in Leeds along with an overnight stay meal at Rogerthorpe Manor Hotel; vouchers from bespoke designers ‘Poshfrox’; a Mercedes A Class for the day, a meal at The Grange Hotel in York; gym membership at the new Fitness Flex gym; a two-night stay at the luxury Sands Resort near Scarborough, while each finalist receives a goodie bag.
 
Wednesday’s winner will also have automatic entry into the Grand Final of the ‘Best-Dressed Lady Racegoer in Yorkshire’ competition, held at Doncaster racecourse in October, which is the culmination of a special competition linking the individual ‘Ladies Days’ on the Yorkshire racecourses this year. She will then have the chance to win a luxury prize for two at the Best Western Premier Mount Pleasant Hotel near Doncaster, along with a £500 fashion voucher from Yasmine of Bawtry and Epworth and a diamond pendant valued at £2,500 courtesy of lovevintagediamonds.com.
 
The giant screen, situated opposite the main stands will assist racegoers in following all of the action.

 


 
Catterick’s annual ‘Salute Our Heroes’ Family Raceday takes place on Tuesday (August 6), with a variety of attractions in the Course Enclosure to keep youngsters amused, including bouncy castles, inflatable rides from the Army recruiting team, glitter tattoos, face painting and a roundabout. There are vouchers for ice-creams for youngsters while stocks last! As usual, accompanied children under 16 are admitted free of charge into the racecourse.
 
There’s also a parachute display by The Price of Wales’s Regiment a children’s sports day open to all and organised by Richmond Leisure Trust and a boxing display by former world champion super Featherweight, Charles Shephard. BFBS Radio will provide music and a live broadcast with Camp Bastion. Military vehicles will be on display from The Queen’s Own Yeomanry.
 
Catterick Garrison is a major military camp and they are linking up with their local racecourse to raise funds for ABF The Soldiers’ Charity and SSAFA.
 
The seven-race programme is scheduled to begin at 2-15 p.m. with a contest for maiden two-year-olds supported by The European Breeders’ Fund, while the card also includes The ABF The Soldiers’ Charity Handicap Stakes (a race for stayers over one mile and three-quarters) and The SSAFA Handicap Stakes – a contest for sprinters over five furlongs.
 
The title of the afternoon’s other handicap race for sprinters over six furlongs refers to the forthcoming Ladies Evening at Catterick on Friday, August 16.
 
  As usual, the giant screen will be in use, while there’s an indoor play area for youngsters in the Course Enclosure.


 
 
Ripon’s popular annual ‘Children’s Day’ Meeting takes place on Monday (August 5), followed by an evening programme on Tuesday (August 6), with racing set to begin at 2-15 p.m. and 6-10 p.m. respectively.
 
Monday’s activities for children in the Course Enclosure include various bouncy castles and other fun inflatables, face painting, balloon modelling, along with free ice-creams for youngsters while stocks last! As usual at Ripon, accompanied children under 16 years of age are admitted free of charge into all enclosures and there are designated play areas for children. The ‘lovethe races’ Roadshow will also be an attraction.
 
‘New Beginnings’ a Yorkshire-based community interest company will be in attendance with a former racehorse for children to see.
 
Monday’s principal race is the 57th running of The Armstrong Memorial Handicap Stakes, a contest for sprinters over six furlongs, offering prize money of £12,000. This race has been supported since 1957 by the Armstrong family, one of the country’s most famous racing dynasties, which included legendary Yorkshire trainers, the late Gerald and Sam Armstrong. Mr Colin Armstrong, whose father was Gerald Armstrong, is a director of the Ripon Race Company.
 
Maiden two-year-old fillies take part in the afternoon’s opening race, a contest supported by The European Breeders’ Fund.
 
On Tuesday evening, the feature race is the second 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, Chaplins Club, Quito, Glencroft and Soaked. His grand-daughter, Ruth Carr has successfully taken over at Mowbray House Farm and could have a runner in the race.
 
Also featured on Tuesday evening are The Constant Security Services Nursery handicap Stakes (two-year-olds over five furlongs) and The washroom Company Handicap Stakes (a contest for three-year-olds over one mile and a half)
 
The Chris White Jazz Quartet provide the musical entertainment on Tuesday evening and racegoers will be able to follow all of the action on the course’s permanent giant screen.



 
One of the most popular bands in the UK, the award-winning ‘Scouting For Girls’ will be live on stage this Saturday at Doncaster (August 3), as they make a welcome return to Town Moor. They will perform all of their hits from when racing has finished. This will be at approximately 6-15 p.m. Tickets for the day, starting from £30 can be purchased online.
 
The afternoon’s seven-race programme is set to start at 2-25 p.m. It’s the annual UNISON Raceday, supported entirely by the public service union, Unison, with this year’s message being ‘Campaigning for a Living Wage’.
 
The Unison Essential Cover Wherever You Work Handicap Stakes is the feature race of the afternoon, a £20,000 contest over the extended mile and a quarter.
 
Other highlights include The Trade Union Unison & Thompsons Solicitors Conditions Stakes (a £13,000 race for sprinters over six furlongs), The Unison Everyone Deserves A living Wage Handicap Stakes, The Unison & LV-Frizzell Car Insurance Fillies’ Handicap Stakes and The Unison & UIA Home Insurance Maiden Stakes
 
The giant screen, situated opposite the main stands will enable racegoers to see all of the action.

 
 
 
The two-day Thirsk Summer Cup meeting this Friday and Saturday (August 2 & 3) features the second running of The totepool.com Thirsk Summer Cup on Saturday. This £30,000 handicap contest over one mile is sure to attract plenty of runners, making for a competitive race. It represents one of the most valuable races staged at Thirsk. Lord Aeryn, trained at Malton by Richard Fahey won last year’s inaugural race.
 
Racing on Saturday is scheduled to begin at 1-55 p.m. and sprinters have their opportunity in The Peter Bell Memorial Handicap Stakes over six furlongs – a race which commemorates the late Peter Bell, who was a director of the racecourse for many years. His son, Jonny, is on the board of directors.
 
Two-year-olds take part in The Constant Security Nursery Handicap Stakes, a £10,000 contest over five furlongs, while The European Breeders’ Fund support a new addition to this Saturday programme, a £15,000 Conditions race over seven furlongs.
 
The Shirley Anne Faill Memorial Fillies’ Handicap Stakes and The Yorkshire Outdoors Adventure Experiences Maiden Selling Stakes (for three-year-olds) are both contested over one mile and a half.
 
The action on Friday is set to get underway at 2-20 p.m. and a couple of races are supported by Weatherbys – a famous organisation in racing which provides a range of services for the industry. Two-year-old fillies take part in a Nursery Handicap over five furlongs and maidens have their opportunity in a contest over one mile.
 
The Market Cross Jewellers Handicap Stakes over seven furlongs is also featured, along with Round Six of a new series for young riders this season – The Go Racing In Yorkshire Future Stars Apprentice Series – held on the eight Yorkshire courses which stage Flat racing and culminating in a Final at Doncaster in November. Friday’s race is a Handicap contest for sprinters over six furlongs. After the first five legs of the series, Gary Mahon leads the way with 24 points, followed by Jacob Butterfield on 21 points, Charles Bishop and Matthew Hopkins (both 18 points).
 
Musical entertainment on Friday is provided by The Paradise Steel Band while ‘Frankly Jazz’ will entertain racegoers on Saturday.
 
There’s a selection of attractions for children in the Family Ring on both days, while the giant screen, situated opposite the stands, will enable racegoers to follow even more of the action on the track.



 
Redcar hosts a seven-race programme on Wednesday (July 31) when racing is scheduled to start at 2-05 p.m. with a contest for maiden two-year-olds supported by The European Breeders’ Fund.
 
The highlight is a qualifying race in this season’s Racing UK Straight-Mile Championship, a popular handicap series, which culminates in a Final on Saturday, October 5. Wednesday’s race is a contest for three-year-olds.
 
The Market Cross Jewellers Handicap Stakes over one mile and a quarter is also featured, while Novice amateur riders, who at the start of the current Flat season, had not ridden more than three winners under Rules, take part in The Betfair Novice Flat Amateur Riders’ Handicap Stakes over one mile. It’s the third of a six-race series for amateur riders which began earlier this month at Catterick.
.
The giant screen will enable racegoers to see even more action on the track, along with the action from the second day of the ‘Glorious Goodwood’ meeting.

 

 
The second of Pontefract’s three Sunday meetings this summer takes place this weekend (July 28), when the seven race programme starts at 2.20 p.m. It’s the final day of the 2013 ‘Go Racing In Yorkshire Summer Festival’, which showcases all that is best regarding racing in the county.
 
 As usual at Pontefract’s Sunday fixtures, there’s a wide range of attractions available for young racegoers to enjoy and the fun begins from when the gates open at 11.30 a.m., including performances during the afternoon by The National Festival Circus. The Coventry Corps of Drums provide the musical entertainment, while there’s a funfair, face painting and free sweets (while stocks last!).
 
The Sky Bet Supporting The Yorkshire Racing Festival Pomfret Stakes is the principal race of the afternoon. It’s the seventh running of this Listed race over one mile, which offers increased prize money of £45,000 and Newmarket trainer, Saeed bin Suroor has a good record in this race, producing three winners in the well-known royal blue Godolphin colours.
 
The twelfth running of The Graham Rock Memorial Handicap Stakes is contested over one mile and a quarter. The late Graham Rock was a much-respected racing journalist, who was the first editor of The Racing Post. He was latterly the racing correspondent for The Observer and a member of BBC Television’s racing team. He was also a successful racehorse owner; his colours were carried to memorable victories by Pasternak in both The John Smith’s Cup at York and The Cambridgeshire at Newmarket in 1997 – trained and ridden respectively by Sir Mark Prescott and George Duffield. Graham Rock’s roots were always in Yorkshire and he visited Pontefract many times as a youngster and later in life when working for Timeform and the now-defunct Sporting Chronicle.
 
The opening race is a contest for maiden two-year-olds supported by Racing Profits Guides Ltd. and other races featured are The Infinity Ecomax Tyres Handicap Stakes (a race for sprinters over six furlongs) and The Moor Top Farm Shop Hemsworth Handicap Stakes over one mile and a half.
 
Former racehorses under the care of ‘New Beginnings’, a Yorkshire-based community interest company, are in attendance as part of the Festival, enabling racegoers to see them at close hand. Also, racegoers will be able to obtain information regarding some of the local racing syndicates and racehorse ownership from the ‘Go Racing in Yorkshire’ information unit.
 
There’s also the chance to win a VIP day out at the final day of the Welcome to Yorkshire Ebor Festival at York next month – including a £200 bet with Sky Bet and an overnight stay at Raithwaite Hall – in a special racecard competition running throughout the Festival. The draw for the winner will be made during Sunday’s meeting.
 
The leading trainer and jockey of the ‘Go Racing In Yorkshire Summer Festival’ will be presented with their respective trophies. The Byerley Turk Trophy – donated by Goldsborough Hall – is given to the top trainer of the Festival, while the JCT600 Trophy awaits the leading rider.
 
A couple of large screens will assist racegoers in following all of the action.
 
Yorkshire Radio will be broadcasting from the course, as part of their commitment to the Yorkshire Racing Festival and there’s a preview of the afternoon’s racing in the winners’ enclosure.

 

A new record for attendance at an evening race meeting in Britain is possible for York Races on Friday 26 July when Kaiser Chiefs will perform after an attractive six race card.
 
York’s two-day Music Showcase weekend on Friday evening and Saturday afternoon (July 26 & 27), supported by Sky Bet, combines Pattern race quality action on the track and live performances on the music stage after racing has finished. Originally from Leeds and now one of the best bands in the world, Kaiser Chiefs will be on stage on Friday evening, while the only group ever to win ITV’s ‘X Factor’, ‘Little Mix’ entertain racegoers at the conclusion of racing on Saturday.
 
The only evening fixture of the season at York gets underway at 6.00 pm on Friday with gates open at 4pm. The highlight of a valuable evening card is the sixth running of a Listed race for fillies and mares, the British Stallion Studs supporting British Racing EBF Lyric Stakes offering an increased total prize fund of £40,000 and one of sixteen contests on the Knavesmire supported by The European Breeders’ Fund. Last year’s race was won by Barefoot Lady – trained at Malton by Richard Fahey, York’s top trainer for the past seven seasons who leads the way again this season – the filly went on to land the Canadian Stakes at Woodbine racecourse in Toronto in September.
 
Also featured on Friday evening is The Sky Bet Stakes (one mile) – part of Sky Bet’s commitment to The Go Racing In Yorkshire Summer Festival, with this meeting part of the initiative that links the eight flat courses in the county over nine days of fantastic racing.
 
 Apprentice jockeys are in the spotlight in the opening race, The Future Cleaning Services Handicap Stakes. Welcome to Yorkshire, the organisation that works tirelessly to promote tourism for the region, support a handicap contest for three-year-old sprinters, as part of their publicity in hosting next year’s Grand Depart of the Tour de France. Handicap sprinters take part in the second race, While two-year-olds are catered for in The Batleys Cash & Carry Maiden Stakes
 
Away from the track, the Minster FM team will also be broadcasting from the course prior to racing.
 
Saturday’s quality seven-race programme takes the prize money for the two days to a record level as £235,000 is on offer for day two. The action starts at 1-50 p.m. with the entire card sponsored by Sky Bet – one of the leading horseracing, gaming and sports betting companies in the U.K. based in Leeds.
 
The principal race on Saturday is the eighth running of The Sky Bet York Stakes, a £100,000 Group 2 contest, run over the extended one mile and a quarter, won previously by the powerful Newmarket stables of Sir Michael Stoute, John Gosden and Godolphin (twice), Luca Cumani and the late Sir Henry Cecil. It was Newmarket trainer, Roger Varian who took last year’s race with Sri Putra. According to recent history the victor is likely to reappear in the richest race of York’s season, the £750,000 Juddmonte International on Wednesday 21 August.
 
Also featured on Saturday’s strong card is the tenth renewal of The Sky Bet Dash. This £50,000 competitive sprint is over six furlongs. Last year’s winner was Van Ellis – trained at Middleham in North Yorkshire by Mark Johnston.
 
Both days of this meeting are part of the 2013 Go Racing In Yorkshire Summer Festival, a partnership between the eight flat courses to showcase all that is best regarding racing in the county. There’s a special racecard competition each day of the Festival up to and including the final day at Pontefract on Sunday, with the overall winner receiving a VIP day out at York on the concluding day of next month’s Welcome to Yorkshire’ Ebor Festival – Saturday, August 24 – including a £200 bet courtesy of Sky Bet.
 
Former racehorses now in the care of ‘New Beginnings’, a Yorkshire-based community interest company, are in attendance throughout the Festival including on Saturday at York, enabling racegoers to see them at close hand. Also, on Saturday, racegoers will be able to obtain information regarding some of the local racing syndicates and racehorse ownership from the ‘Go Racing in Yorkshire’ mobile information unit.
 
A quartet of giant screens will enable racegoers to enjoy even more of the action from both the track and the stage on both days. The popular totepool ‘Punter’s Panel’ takes place prior to racing helping racegoers to identify possible winners.
 
For the best in racing and live music York is the perfect venue.

 
 
 Thirsk hosts a seven-race programme this Friday (July 26), with racing set to start at 2-10 p.m.  The meeting is part of the 2013 ‘Go Racing In Yorkshire Summer Festival’, aimed to showcase all that is best in racing in the county.
 
The Sky Bet Supporting The Yorkshire Racing Summer Festival Selling Stakes is contested over seven furlongs by three-year-olds, while the same distance and age group appertains for The Infinity Ecosis Tyres Handicap Stakes. A couple of races for maiden two-year-olds are supported by The European Breeders’ Fund, while sprinters take part in The Margaret Leete Memorial Handicap Stakes –a contest for fillies and mares over six furlongs supported by Cleveland Steel & Tubes Ltd.
 
Friday’s concluding race is a handicap race for sprinters over five furlongs for apprentice jockeys which is part of the ‘Hands & Heels’ Series – a national series of races for young riders under the Racing Excellence Initiative. Going into this race, Shelley Birkett heads the table, followed by Jordon Vaughan.
 
Former racehorses now under the care of ‘New Beginnings’, a community interest company – based in Yorkshire – are in attendance throughout the Festival enabling racegoers to see them at close hand. Also, racegoers will be able to obtain information regarding some of the local racing syndicates and racehorse ownership from the ‘Go Racing in Yorkshire’ mobile information unit.
 
There’s also the chance to win a VIP day out at the final day of the Welcome to Yorkshire Ebor Festival at York next month – including a £200 bet with Sky Bet and an overnight stay at Raithwaite Hall – in a special racecard competition running throughout the Festival.
 
Yorkshire Radio will be broadcasting from the course, as part of their commitment to the Festival, and there’s a preview of the afternoon’s racing in the winners’ enclosure. A giant screen, situated opposite the main stands, will enable racegoers to follow the action. For children, there are bouncy castles and a playground in the Family Ring, while the Herr Jenns Band provide the musical entertainment from the bandstand.


 
 
Doncaster’s second consecutive Thursday evening meeting next week (July 25) is part of the 2013  ‘Go Racing In Yorkshire Summer Festival’, aimed to showcase all that is best about racing in the county. Residents who have a DN or S postcode can enjoy free access into the Family Enclosure and discounted admission into other enclosures – ON A PRE-BOOKED BASIS – at this evening meeting.
 
Racegoers wishing to take up these offers, including registering for the free tickets, must book online in advance of Thursday’s meeting on www.doncaster-racecourse.co.uk and using the promo code ’SYDAY’.
 
Racing begins at 5-35 p.m. with The crownhotel-bawtry.com Maiden Stakes, while the fully-sponsored racing programme features The Sky Bet Supporting The Yorkshire Racing Summer Festival Fillies’ Handicap Stakes, The Infinity Ecosis Tyres Handicap Stakes, The Esquires Coffee Partnered With Doncaster Knights Handicap Stakes, The Saint Gobain Weber Maiden Fillies’ Stakes, The 1stsecuritysolutions.co.uk Handicap Stakes and The James Pearson 80th Birthday Handicap Stakes.
 
Former racehorses now under the care of ‘New Beginnings’, a Yorkshire-based community interest company, are in attendance throughout the Festival, enabling racegoers to see them at close hand. Also, racegoers will be able to obtain information regarding some of the local racing syndicates and racehorse ownership from the ‘Go racing in Yorkshire’ mobile information unit.
 
Yorkshire Radio will be broadcasting from the course as part of their commitment to the ‘Yorkshire Racing Summer Festival’ and there’s a preview of the evening’s racing in the winners’ enclosure, along with Paddock commentaries prior to each race.
 
There’s also the chance to win a VIP day out on the final day of the Welcome to Yorkshire Ebor Festival at York next month – including a £200 bet with Sky Bet and an overnight stay at Raithwaite Hall – in a special racecard competition running throughout the Festival. Younger racecgoers can enter a Mascot-naming competition for a chance to win family day tickets to a Yorkshire meeting in 2014 and a Sugar Rush sweetie hamper.
 
The giant screen, situated opposite the main stands will enable racegoers to see all of the action. A shuttle bus service will be in operation from the railway station.

 
 
Catterick’s fourth consecutive Wednesday afternoon meeting (July 24) begins at 2-00 p.m. and is part of the 2013 ‘Go Racing In Yorkshire  Summer Festival’, aimed to showcase racing in the county.
 
The feature race of the afternoon is The Sky Bet Supporting The Yorkshire Racing Summer Festival Handicap Stakes, a contest for sprinters over the minimum distance of five furlongs, while The Infinity Ecosis Tyres Claiming Stakes is also a race for sprinters (six furlongs).
 
Other highlights include The Pin Point Recruitment Nursery Handicap Stakes (for two-year-olds over seven furlongs), The Yorkshire Radio Handicap Stakes (six furlongs), while Apprentice riders take part in the longest race of the afternoon – Handicap contest over one mile and a half – part of a national series for young jockeys, The Racing Excellence Apprentice Training Series.
 
The opening race is a contest for maiden two-year-olds, supported by The European Breeders’ Fund.
 
Former racehorses now under the care of ‘New Beginnings’, a Yorkshire-based community interest company, are in attendance throughout the Festival enabling racegoers to see them at close hand. Also, racegoers will be able to obtain information regarding some of the local racing syndicates and racehorse ownership from the ‘Go Racing in Yorkshire’ mobile information unit.
 
There’s also the chance to win a VIP day out at the final day of the Welcome to Yorkshire Ebor Festival at York next month – including a £200 bet with Sky Bet and an overnight stay at Raithwaite Hall – in a special racecard competition running throughout the Festival. Younger racegoers can enter a Mascot-naming competition for a chance to win family day tickets to a Yorkshire meeting in 2014 and a Sugar Rush sweetie hamper.
 
Yorkshire Radio will be broadcasting from the course, as part of their commitment to the Yorkshire Racing Summer Festival and there’s a preview of the afternoon’s racing in the winners’ enclosure some 45 minutes before racing begins, while there are Paddock commentaries prior to each race. Local band, Trio Gitan provide the musical entertainment, while there’s a variety of attractions for children in the Course enclosure, including an indoor play area  As usual, the giant screen will be in use, enabling racegoers to follow all of the action.


 
Beverley’s final evening meeting of the summer on Monday evening (July 22) is the third leg of the 2013 ‘Go Racing In Yorkshire Summer Festival’, aimed to showcase racing in the county.
 
Racing begins at 6-30 p.m. The feature races during are The Sky Bet Supporting The Yorkshire Racing Summer Festival Handicap Stakes (three-year-olds over the extended seven furlongs), The Infinity Ecomax Tyres Handicap Stakes (Three-year-olds over the extended mile), The Yorkshire Radio Maiden Handicap Stakes (three-year-olds over two miles), The Richard & Carol Hudson Handicap Stakes (one mile and a quarter) and The Beverley Fashion Week 22-27 July Handicap Stakes- a contest for sprinters over five furlongs.
 
The title of then latter race refers to the launch of the second Beverley Fashion Week which begins on Monday and culminates in a Grand Finale at the racecourse the following Saturday (July 27). During racing on Monday evening, there will be a Fashion Week street team in attendance, flash mob dance performances, live music, mobile catwalk shows to promote the event.
 
Former racehorses now under the care of ‘New Beginnings’, a Yorkshire-based local community interest company, are in attendance throughout the Festival enabling racegoers to see them at close hand. Also, racegoers will be able to obtain information regarding some of the local racing syndicates and racehorse ownership from the ‘Go Racing in Yorkshire’ mobile information unit.
 
There’s also the chance to win a VIP day out at the final day of the Welcome to Yorkshire Ebor Festival at York next month – including a £200 bet with Sky Bet and an overnight stay at Raithwaite Hall – in a special competition running throughout the Festival. Younger racegoers can enter a Mascot-naming competition for a chance to win family day tickets to a Yorkshire meeting in 2014 and a Sugar Rush sweetie hamper.
 
Yorkshire Radio will be broadcasting from the course, as part of their commitment to the Festival, while the giant screen situated opposite the main stands, will enable racegoers to see all of the action. There’s also a special preview of racing in the winners’ enclosure some 45 minutes before the action begins on the track, and paddock commentaries prior to each race.


 
 
There’s something for all the family this Sunday at Redcar (July 21) – the second leg of the 2013 ‘Go Racing In Yorkshire Summer Festival’, aimed to showcase all that is best regarding racing in the county. This special Family Fun Day is also part of Redcar’s support for the ‘Help For Heroes’ charity concerning our armed forces.
 
The gates open at noon and there’s a host of attractions for children in the Course Enclosure, such as fairground rides, bouncy castles, slides, children’s entertainers, face painting and stilt walkers. The Felix Fund and bomb disposal team will be on hand and racegoers can try on a bomb disposal outfit and have a go at donating practice bombs with the remote control bomb disposal device. There’s also a Yorkshire regiment Stand, along with a ‘Help For Heroes’ merchandise stand, and collections will be made for the charity.
 
A special preview of racing in the winners’ enclosure some 45 minutes prior to the action on the track and there will be paddock commentaries prior to each race.
 
Racing on Sunday begins at 2-10 p.m. with a contest for two-year-olds – The Yorkshire Regiment British Stallion Studs EBF Maiden Stakes. The highlights of the racing programme include The Sky Bet Supporting The Yorkshire Racing Summer Festival Handicap Stakes (a contest for three-year-old sprinters), The Infinity Ecomax Tyres Handicap Stakes (six furlongs), The Help For Heroes Fillies’ Handicap Stakes (one mile) and The Redcar Cricket Club Handicap Stakes (nine furlongs).
 
The final race is Round Five of a new series for young riders this season – The Go Racing In Yorkshire Future Stars Apprentice Series – held on the eight Yorkshire courses which stage Flat racing and culminating in a Final at Doncaster in November. Sunday’s race is a Handicap Stakes over one mile and three-quarters – the longest race of the afternoon. After the first four legs of the series, Gary Mahon leads the way with 24 points, followed by Charles Bishop and Matthew Hopkins – both with 18 points.
 
Racegoers will be able to obtain information regarding some of the local racing syndicates and racehorse ownership from the ‘Go Racing in Yorkshire’ mobile information unit.
 
Yorkshire Radio will be broadcasting from the course, as part of their commitment to the Yorkshire Racing Festival. There’s a special racecard competition each day of the Festival up to and including the final day at Pontefract the following Sunday, with the overall winner receiving a VIP day out at the final day of the Welcome to Yorkshire Ebor Festival at York next month, including a £200 bet with Sky Bet and an overnight stay at Raithwaite Hall. Younger racegoers can enter a Mascot-naming competition for a chance to win family day tickets to a Yorkshire meeting in 2014 and a Sugar Rush sweetie hamper.
 
 The giant screen will enable racegoers to see even more action on the track.

WATCH YORKSHIRE RACING FOR FREE!

 

The Yorkshire Summer Festival gives racing fans and families the chance to enjoy an entire week of racing and racing events in Yorkshire, from Saturday 20th July until Sunday 28th July. To celebrate Yorkshire racing during the Go Racing in Yorkshire Summer Festival, Racing UK are giving racing fans the opportunity to watch it live.

 

Go Racing in Yorkshire have teamed up with TV channel Racing UK (Sky 432) to offer you a FREE month of their premium coverage on Sky, so you can see every race live from six of the eight courses during the festival.

 

Racing UK broadcasts every race live from 33 of the UK’s best racecourses, including seven of the nine “Go Racing in Yorkshire” courses: Beverley, Catterick, Pontefract, Redcar, Thirsk, Wetherby and York.
Not only will you be able to watch these courses, your FREE month will also include 19 other Flat racecourses, 30 Group races, The July Festival at Newmarket and Glorious Goodwood, so there’s never been a better time to give Racing UK a try!

 

HOW TO REDEEM

Simply call 0845 111 6444 and quote “Yorkshire FREE month” by midday on Saturday July 20, making sure you have your Sky card number to hand. Terms and conditions: Please note that directly after the free month trial period your subscription will automatically revert to a full price 12 month contract of £20 per month.   Customers not wishing to subscribe after the free trial period must call our customer services team at least 5 working days before the end of the trial. Please read the full terms and conditions at: www.racinguk.com/yorkshirefreemonth    

 
 

 
Ripon hosts the opening meeting of the 2013 ‘Go Racing In Yorkshire Racing Summer Festival’ this Saturday (July 20), when staging a seven-race programme, due to start at 2-00 p.m.
 
 The Festival – which concludes at Pontefract on Sunday week – aims to showcase all that is best about racing in the county. To celebrate the opening day of the Festival, racegoers at the main entrances will be greeted by fire eaters and stilt walkers, while prior to the first race, there will be a fly-past signalling the start of the Festival. There’s even an electric horse to admire!
 
There’s also the chance to win a VIP day out at the final day of the Welcome to Yorkshire Ebor Festival at York next month – including a £200 bet with Sky Bet and an overnight stay at Raithwaite Hall – in a special racecard competition running throughout the Festival. Younger racegoers can enter a Mascot-naming competition for a chance to win family day tickets to a Yorkshire meeting in 2014 and a Sugar Rush sweetie hamper.
 
 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 Infinity Ecomax Tyres Handicap Stakes (one mile), along with The EBF yorkshire.com Maiden Stakes – a contest for two-year-olds over five furlongs – supported by The European Breeders’ Fund.
 
 The opening race on Saturday is The Dobson Gaskets Selling Stakes over six furlongs, while other highlights are The Age UK Fit As A Fiddle Handicap Stakes (one mile and a half) and The CHS Vehicles 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, enabling racegoers to see them at close hand. Also, racegoers will be able to obtain information regarding some of the local racing syndicates and racehorse ownership from the ‘Go Racing in Yorkshire’ mobile information unit.
 
Yorkshire Radio will be broadcasting from the course, as part of their commitment to the Festival, and there’s a preview of the afternoon’s racing in the winners’ enclosure. 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.

Pontefract’s 21st annual ‘Red Shirt Night’ charity meeting on Friday evening (July 19) – the course’s third and final evening fixture of the summer – will raise revenue for ‘The House That Jack Built’ – a state-of-the-art rehabilitation centre for injured and retired jockeys which is to be based in Malton. This meeting also incorporates the course’s second Beer Festival. Local breweries such as Pennine Brewery, Revolutions Brewery, Ossett Brewery and the Bier Huis will be selling their distinctive ales.
 
Famous for wearing his trademark red shirt at the races, former leading northern trainer and Yorkshireman, Jack Berry, MBE, has been the major driving force over the years of this charity evening meeting in his capacity as a Vice-President of The Injured Jockeys Fund.
 
The most valuable race on Friday evening is The Betfred Handicap Stakes, a contest for sprinters over five furlongs, offering increased prize money of £15,000.
 
Racing on Friday evening starts at 6-30 p.m. with a contest for maiden two-year-olds supported once again by Countrywide Freight of Trafford Park Manchester, while fillies and mares take part in The totepool Fillies’ Handicap Stakes over one mile and a half. The seventh running of The Colstrope Cup Handicap Stakes – a contest over one mile continues to be supported by Yvonne Jacques and Beryl Jones
 
The Highbank Stud Maiden Handicap Stakes is contested over one mile and a quarter (supported for the first time by Highbank Stud of Wetherby), while sprinters take part in the final race of the evening over six furlongs, The Moor Top Farm Hemsworth Farm Shop Hemsworth Handicap Stakes.
 
A giant screen will assist racegoers in following all of the action, while 80’s tribute band, ‘Smooth Criminals’ will play after racing. As usual, the racecourse will make a donation to ‘The House That Jack Built’ based on the number of runners in each race.
 

Residents who have a DN postcode can enjoy free access into the Family Enclosure and discounted admission into other enclosures – ON A PRE-BOOKED BASIS –at Doncaster’s Thursday evening meeting on July 18.

 

Racegoers wishing to take up these offers, including registering for the free tickets, must book online in advance of Thursday’s meeting on www.doncaster-racecourse.co.uk and use the promo code ‘DONDAY’.

 

Mark Spincer, Doncaster’s managing director said, “We’re looking forward to giving something back to the locals who have supported us over the years and introducing new people to the sport. Guests who live in the DN postcode area can ejoy a fantastic mid-summer evening of racing action for free, with some great exclusive heavily-reduced offers also available.”

 

There are seven races on Thursday evening, starting at 5-50 p.m. with a Handicap contest for apprentice jockeys under the Freebets banner, who also put their name to a contest for maiden two-year-old fillies in association with The European Breeders’ Fund. The programme includes The D C Training & Development Services Ltd. Fillies’ Nursery Handicap Stakes, The PDM Group Connect 2013 Novice Stakes, The Terry Bellas Memorial Conditions Stakes, The Happy Birthday Joy Miller Handicap Stakes and The bonus.co.uk Casino Bonus Handicap Stakes.   

 

The giant screen, situated opposite the main stands will enable racegoers to see all of the action. A shuttle bus service will be in operation from the railway station.

 

The third of four consecutive Wednesday afternoon meetings at Catterick next week on July 17 is set to begin at 2-10 p.m.

 

The main race is The Read Hayley Turner Every Friday racinguk.com Handicap Stakes, a contest for three-year-old sprinters over five furlongs, while also featured is The Eat Sleep Drink at The Nag’s Head Pickhill Handicap Stakes – a qualifier for a new series this season, The Catterick Twelve Furlong Series, which culminates in a £20,000 Final on Saturday, September 21.

 

Novice amateur riders, who at the start of the season had not ridden more than three winners under Rules, take part in The Betfair Novice Flat Amateur Riders’ Handicap Stakes over one mile and a half.

 

 The Go Racing In  Yorkshire Summer Festival Maiden Stakes is contested over seven furlongs and the race title draws attention to the sixth Summer Festival on the Yorkshire racecourses which begins the following Saturday at Ripon and concludes at Pontefract on Sunday, July 28.

 

As usual, the giant screen will be in use.

 

Beverley’s seven-race programme on Tuesday afternoon (July 16) is set to begin at 2-00 p.m. and stayers take part in the principal race, The 128th Year of the Watt Memorial Stakes.

 

Contested over two miles, this famous race has existed since a local dignitary, William Watt bequeathed a fund to the racecourse. His father, Squire Richard Watt, who was based at nearby Bishop Burton, trained four St. Leger winners in the early part of the 19th Century – Altisidora (1813), Barefoot (1823), Memnon (1825) and Rockingham (1833).

 

Tony McCormick of Bridlington once again supports The giracingtrends.com Handicap Stakes over the extended mile, the race title drawing attention to his website. Local racegoer, Tony Dove supports The Timmy Bear Is 50 Handicap Stakes – a contest for three-year-olds over one mile and a quarter.

 

Lady riders – both amateur and professional – are in the spotlight in this season’s renewal of The Dorothy Laird Memorial Trophy Handicap Stakes (one mile and a quarter), a race held in memory of a former Vice-President of The Amateur Jockeys’ Association of Great Britain and Secretary of The Lady Jockeys’ Association (now merged with the AJA).

 

 The giant screen will assist racegoers to follow all of the action on the track.

 

 

 

The 54th running of The John Smith’s Cup – Britain’s longest continuous commercially-sponsored flat race named after Britain’s best-selling ale – is the £150,000 centrepiece of the richest ever renewal of this summer highlight. The quality seven-race programme at York on Saturday 13 July is worth approaching £300,000. The opening day of the early July Meeting on the Knavesmire is Friday, with the Group Three Summer Stakes offering a black type opportunity to the fastest filly down the six furlong course.
 
With the forecast promising some of the hottest days of the year, York have confirmed that the dress code will be relaxed in the County Stand, including all hospitality areas, so no jackets will be required. Therefore the revised dress code for gentleman in County Stand for both days of the John Smith’s Cup meeting will be a collared shirt and a tie.
 
One of Europe’s most prestigious, competitive and valuable middle-distance heritage handicap contests, Saturday’s renewal of The John Smith’s Cup is contested over the extended one mile and a quarter. The winning owner can look forward to receiving the specially-commissioned Wedgewood challenge trophy.
 
Fougalle was the first winner of this famous race back in 1960, and since then there have been many dramatic moments, with the race becoming a major betting heat of the summer. Yorkshire-trained horses have a very good record in the race, especially in recent times, although horses trained in Newmarket have won the last three runnings of the race, with 33/1 King’s Warrior prevailing last year for trainer Peter Chapple-Hyam and jockey Robert Havlin. Always one of the big days of the year, this event has been developed as a showcase for ‘Yorkshire’s Finest’, and sees John Smith’s treasuring its Yorkshire roots with a full Yorkshire menu of locally-sourced and home-made food. In addition, there will be a number of cask ales available at the racecourse, thanks to collaboration with fellow Yorkshire brewers, Theakston’s.
 
To celebrate the occasion, prior to racing, there will once again be a fly-past over the Knavesmire by aircraft from RAF Linton-on-Ouse. The Racecourse and local brewery have forged strong links with its nearest RAF Station which trains the next generation of fighter pilots who will be at the controls of their Tucano aircraft.
 
 Racing on Saturday also features a pair of Listed races; the first for sprinters, The John Smith’s City Walls Stakes – a contest over five furlongs (won last year by Hamish McGonagall, trained at Great Habton near Malton by Tim Easterby – the horse went on to finish third in the Group 1 Prix de l’Abbaye at Longchamp). Earlier in the afternoon sees The John Smith’s Silver Cup, an established Listed contest for stayers over one mile and three-quarters. Mount Athos, trained at Newmarket by Luca Cumani, won last year’s race, before going on to compete in two of the world’s most famous races, The Melbourne Cup in Australia and The Japan Cup in Tokyo. Both Listed races offer increased prize money of £40,000.
 
The highlight on Friday,The Summer Stakes, is a Group 3 sprint contest over six furlongs for fillies and mares, which has also received a boost in prize money to £60,000. Last year’s race was won by the German-trained filly, Gracia Directa, ridden by York-based jockey, Robert Winston.
 
Friday is the annual charity day in support of GroceryAid, the national charity which exists to provide financial aid for those people who have served in the grocery industry. The northern branch of the charity is once again responsible for Friday’s fund-raising activities, which also involves a number of sponsored races – The Haylin Stakes, a nursery handicap for two-year-olds over five furlongs, The Cakemark EBF Maiden Stakes for two-year-olds over seven furlongs and The GroceryAid Chairman’s Charity Cup (a handicap contest over one mile and a half. Continuing the culinary theme, the day sees Food Group, Cranswick PLC support racing at York for the first time by their backing of a five furlong handicap. A household name in household electricals, AEG, are also welcomed to York, putting their Electrolux Appliances name to a handicap contest over seven furlongs where apprentices will be the pilots. Also on Friday, Acturis – an award-winning IT service provider to the insurance industry – return to York to support a handicap contest over one mile and a quarter while apprentice jockeys take part in the concluding race.
 
Going into this meeting, Newmarket trainer, Sir Michael Stoute leads the way to be York’s top trainer and so secure The Hatfields Trophy, having recorded four winners so far this term. Ryan Moore heads the race for The Living North award to be York’s top rider, having ridden six winners already this season on the Knavesmire.
 
Catering for broad musical tastes, the traditional Yorkshire sound of a brass band is provided on Saturday, complimented by the foot-stomping Irish tones of ‘Murphy’s Marbles’.
 
A number of giant screens will enable racegoers to enjoy even more of the action on both days, along with racing from Newmarket’s July Meeting. In an Ashes summer, the action from Trent Bridge will be available in the Sportsman’s bar. The popular punter’s panel held prior to racing on the winners’ podium will preview the card on both days.
 
Contacts:      James Brennan – York Race Committee               (01904) 683940        
                        Mobile 07812 961140 E-mail james.brennan@yorkracecourse.co.uk
 
                        Graham Orange – ‘Go Racing in Yorkshire’    (01937) 580051

Doncaster’s seven-race programme on Friday (July 5), which begins at 2-00 p.m., is a fully-sponsored card, featuring a quartet of races supported by Cardsave, the largest independent provider of credit and debit card processing facilities for businesses in the UK. The feature race is The Cardsave Handicap Stakes over seven furlongs.

 

The other races on Friday afternoon include The winningpost.co.uk Horse Racing Results Handicap Stakes, The Romero Insurance Brokers Ltd. Maiden Fillies’ Stakes and The freebets.co.uk Fillies’ Handicap Stakes.

 

… FOLLOWED BY THURSDAY AFTERNOON

 

The first of three consecutive Thursday meetings at Doncaster takes place next week (July 11) – an afternoon programme also scheduled to start at 2-00 p.m.

 

Freebets support six of the seven races (one race in conjunction with The European Breeders’ Fund), while The Amateur Jockey’s Association of Great Britain support the final race, a Handicap contest for amateur riders over the staying distance of the extended two miles.

 

The following two Thursday meetings on Town Moor are evening cards on July 18 & 25.

 

The giant screen situated opposite the main stands will enable racegoers to see all of the action. A shuttle bus service will be in operation from the railway station.

 

 The second of Catterick’s four successive Wednesday afternoon fixtures next week (July 10) is set to begin at 2-20 p.m.

 

The feature race is The 5th Regiment Royal Artillery Heimdall Handicap Stakes, a contest for stayers over two miles for the Turmeric Challenge Trophy. Turmeric was trained at Newmarket by the late David Morley and owned by his wife, Melanie. He won eight races at Catterick between 1987 and 1989 and was a real favourite with racegoers at the course.

 

Members of the 5th Regiment Royal Artillery – based at nearby Marne Barracks – make their annual visit to Catterick as they maintain links with their local racecourse. The Regiment’s Inter-Battery Tug of War Final will take place during the afternoon.

 

The Yorkshire Racing Summer Festival Handicap Stakes is contested over seven furlongs and the race title draws attention to the Festival which takes place on the county’s racecourses between 20 & 28 July.

 

As usual, the giant screen will be in use.

 

LISTED RACE FEATURED AT PONTEFRACT ON TUESDAY
 

The Weatherbys VAT Services Pipalong Stakes – a £40,000 Listed race over one mile for fillies and mares – is the highlight of Pontefract’s seven-race programme on Tuesday (July 9), when racing is scheduled to begin at 2-30 p.m.

 

The tenth running of the Pipalong Stakes is sponsored by Wellingborough-based Weatherbys Group, a company which provides administrative and commercial services to the British racing industry. Abandoned last year because of a waterlogged track, this race which should attract a quality turnout, in particular horses trained in Newmarket. Past winners include Law Of The Range, Off Chance, Red Bloom and Chorist.

 

Sprinters take part in The King Richard III Handicap Stakes and The Dianne Nursery Handicap Stakes, both races contested over six furlongs. The 29th running of The King Richard III Handicap Stakes – offering prize money of £12,000 – commemorates the granting of a Royal Charter to the Borough of Pontefract in 1484 and the successful owner will receive a perpetual challenge trophy provided by Pontefract Civic Trust, and given extra meaning this year after the discovery of the Monarch’s remains in Leicester, while The Dianne Nursery Handicap Stakes is one of the UK’s first handicap races of the season for two-year-olds.

 

Three-year-old sprinters take part in the second running of The Jeff and Margaret Smith Memorial Handicap Stakes, a contest over five furlongs which commemorates two racegoers from Castleford who passed away in 2010.

 

 Tuesday’s concluding race, The Three Score years And Ten Handicap Stakes for three-year-olds over one mile is supported by annual badge holders, Mr.& Mrs. Reek to celebrate Julie Reek’s 70th birthday.

 

The giant screen, situated opposite the track, will show all of the action.

 

Ripon’s fourth evening meeting of the summer takes place on Monday (July 8), when racing begins at 6-20 p.m.

The feature race is The Summer Sprint Trophy, a handicap contest for three-year-old sprinters over six furlongs, offering increased prize money of £12,000 while the same age group is catered for in The Follow @AtTheRaces On Twitter Handicap Stakes over one mile and a half.

 

Athenian, trained at Newmarket by Sir Mark Prescott won the main race last year.

 

The Yorkshire Racing Summer Festival Coming Soon Handicap Stakes is contested over one mile, and draws attention to the county-wide Festival which begins at Ripon on Saturday, July 20.

 

There’s musical entertainment on Monday evening, courtesy of The Fanfare Brass Band, while Ripon’s permanent giant screen will enable racegoers to follow all of the action, including racing from the other evening meeting at Windsor.

 

Beverley is set to stage the popular Friday evening and Saturday afternoon July meeting this weekend (July 5 & 6), beginning at 6-30 p.m. and 1-55 p.m. respectively.

 

Friday evening features three races supported by the Hull-based independent family-owned company, William Jackson Food Group, it being the 44th year they have sponsored on the Westwood. The trio of races are Jackson’s Yorkshire Champion Bread Handicap Stakes (over the extended seven furlongs), The Aunt Bessie’s Roastiness Novice Stakes (for two-year-olds over five furlongs also supported by The European Breeders’ Fund) and The Ferguson Fawsitt Arms Handicap Stakes (for sprinters over five furlongs). 

 

Leading independent power transmission distributors, Swan Industrial Drives (Hull) Ltd. sponsor for the second time at Beverley when they support a handicap contest for three-year-olds over the extended mile, while the longest race of the evening, The Beverley Middle Distance Series Handicap Stakes (one mile and a half) is part of a special series of races this season on the Westwood; a series now in its third year.

 

Racegoers on Friday evening can have a go on the TribFest Silent Disco situated on the new Lavender Lawn.

 

It’s Coachman Caravans Day on Saturday, with the seven-race programme supported by regular sponsors of racing at Beverley, the award-winning Coachman Caravans of Hull, in conjunction with their suppliers and dealers. The principal race is The Coachman Caravans Quality Handicap Stakes, a contest for ORANGE (‘Go Racing in sprinters over five furlongs, while The Eltherington Stakes is a handicap contest over the extended seven furlongs for three-year-olds.

 

 The giant screen will assist racegoers to follow all of the action on the track, as well as the Group 1 Coral-Eclipse Stakes from Sandown Park on Saturday afternoon.

 

The first of four consecutive Wednesday afternoon meetings at Catterick takes place next week (July 3). Racing is scheduled to begin at 2-30 p.m.

 

The European Breeders’ Fund support the opening race – a contest for maiden two-year-old fillies over five furlongs, while the feature race of the afternoon is a Handicap contest over seven furlongs.

 

The St. Teresa’s Hospice Handicap Stakes, a race for stayers over two miles, draws attention to the fund-raising activities on the day of St. Teresa’s Hospice in Darlington. The Norman Johnson Is 70 Maiden Stakes for two-year-olds, is named after an annual member of the racecourse.

 


As usual, the giant screen will be in use, enabling racegoers to see all of the action.

 

 O’MEARA AND TUDHOPE SET THE PACE ON THE YORKSHIRE TRACKS
                          
 
David O’Meara, who trains at Nawton near Helmsley and his stable jockey, Danny Tudhope lead their respective categories in the race for the Sky Bet Trophies presented to the leading trainer and jockey who record the most number of winners on the Yorkshire racecourses during the 2013 Flat season, which concludes at Doncaster on Saturday, November 9.
 
O’Meara, who is yet to win this award, had 34 winners in the bag up to the end of June, six more than Malton trainer, Richard Fahey (a three-times winner of this prize), while Tudhope (who won this award for the first time last year with 43 winners) has ridden 26 winners so far this season on the county’s tracks, six clear of Paul Mulrennan.
 
The trophies will be presented to the respective winners at the ‘Go Racing in Yorkshire’ Annual Awards Lunch in November, an event also sponsored by Sky Bet.
 

Pontefract’s season continues on Monday (July 1), when the seven-race programme starts at 2-30 p.m. with a Handicap contest for lady amateur riders – The Patricia George Memorial Ladies’ Handicap Stakes over one mile and a quarter.

 

A couple of £15,000 races are featured – both over the sprint distance of six furlongs. The first being The Spindrifter Conditions Stakes, a contest for two-year-olds held annually to commemorate the achievements of the record-breaking juvenile, Spindrifter, who won 13 races as a two-year-old in 1980, three of which were achieved at Pontefract. Spindrifter was owned by Grahame Waters, who will present the challenge trophy to the successful owner. The other highlight on Monday is The British Stallion Studs EBF Park Suite Fillies’ Handicap Stakes, a contest for fillies and mares.

 

The David Waters – A Lifetime In Racing Fillies’ Handicap Stakes over one mile and a half is one of a series of races organised by the charity Racing Welfare to acknowledge those who have spent a lifetime in the sport of racing. David Waters has worked in major training stables in Yorkshire, Newmarket, Lambourn and France since starting as a stable lad in 1980.

 

Once again at this meeting, racehorse owner Tony Perkins sponsors a race in memory of his grandfather, as three-year-old sprinters contest The Wilfred Underwood Memorial Classified Stakes, while the friends and family of the late Wayne Conway continue to support a middle-distance Handicap contest for three-year-olds in his memory. He was from Barnsley and enjoyed racing at Pontefract.

 

The concluding race is The Micky Hammond Proudly Sponsored By Quoteline Direct Handicap Stakes, a contest over one mile which draws attention to the morning visit by Pontefract’s annual members to the Middleham stable of trainer, Micky Hammond.

 

The giant screen, situated opposite the track, will show all of the action.

 

 


Ronan Keating, who has sold over 25 million records worldwide, alongside the 30 million record sales when he was with ‘Boyzone’ will be ‘live’ on stage after racing at Doncaster this Saturday evening (June 29), while there’s action on Friday afternoon on Town Moor (June 28).
 
Ronan made his debut on the music scene in 1994 as the lead singer of the phenomenally successful Irish pop group, ‘Boyzone’. His solo career started in 1999, and has resulted in nine huge albums to date.
 
There are special ticket prices for both the racing and the Ronan Keating concert on Saturday evening, and children under 18 do not receive free admission. Call (01302) 511912 to book tickets.
 
Racing on Saturday evening is set to begin at 5-30 p.m. and the fully-sponsored programme is supported by companies in conjunction with theconstructionindex.co.uk – the Construction Search Engine. The companies involved are SRP Toilet Hire Ltd., Beaver 84 Hire & Sales, Gilks Fencing Ltd., Panelcraft Access Panels, M & G Services Ltd. and Jordan Road Surfacing Ltd.
 
The annual Simpson Millar Raceday takes place on Friday afternoon, starting at 2-00 p.m. The whole seven-race card is supported for the fifth year by Yorkshire-based solicitors Simpson Millar LLP, who have offices throughout the UK. This event raises funds for the company’s chosen charities, such as the Communication Workers’ Union Humanitarian Aid.
 
The Family Enclosure will be closed for this fixture to accommodate the outdoor stage.
 
 
Giant screens, situated opposite the main stands will enable racegoers to see all of the action. A shuttle bus service will be in operation from the railway station.
 
Contacts:  REBECCA BURTON (Commercial Manager – Doncaster)   Tel No: 01302 304200
                  GRAHAM ORANGE (‘Go Racing in Yorkshire’)     Tel No: 01937 580051
 

Thrilling audiences around the UK, a group of specially-trained camels will be racing at Doncaster this Friday. Camel racing is a huge sport in the Middle East and is becoming increasingly popular in Britain. The bright and colourful outfits worn by both the camels and the jockeys (riding during the afternoon on Friday) should provide a unique backdrop to the action

 
  ATTRACTIVE TUESDAY AFTERNOON CARD AT BEVERLEY
 
 
Beverley’s season continues with a meeting on Tuesday (June 25), when racing is scheduled to start at 2-30 p.m.
 
The main race of the afternoon is The Sandra Evison Memorial Handicap Stakes over one mile and a quarter, while The Wold Top Brewery ‘Race Sauce’ Handicap Stakes is contested over one mile and a half.
 
The afternoon’s concluding race is Round Four of a new series for young riders this season – The Go Racing in Yorkshire Future Stars Apprentice Series – held on the eight Yorkshire courses which stage Flat racing and culminating in a Final at Doncaster in November. Tuesday’s race is a Handicap contest for sprinters over five furlongs. After the first three legs of the series, the respective race winners – Charles Bishop, Gary Mahon and Matthew Hopkins – are at the top of the leader board.
 
The giant screen will assist racegoers to follow all of the action on the track.
 


 
Thirsk stages a ‘Singles’ Party Night’ on Monday evening (June 24), although you don’t have to be single to enjoy the seven-race programme which starts at 6-20 p.m.!
 
The James Herriot Hall is the venue for the ‘Singles’ Zone Bar’ and a traffic-light sticker system will be in place for those possibly looking for a kindred spirit, for example red means ‘not interested’; orange indicates ‘maybe’ and green is ‘I’m single’.
 
The feature races are The Yorkshire Outdoors Adventure Experiences Handicap Stakes (a contest for stayers over two miles) and The Bet & Watch With Racing UK’s App Handicap Stakes over seven furlongs.
 
Musical entertainment on Monday evening is provided by ‘Murphy’s Marbles’

 ‘FAMILY DAY SUNDAY’ AT PONTEFRACT SUPPORTED BY TOTEPOOL
 
The ninth running of The totepool Pontefract Castle Stakes (a Listed Race) and The totepool Mobile Pontefract Cup are the twin highlights of Pontefract’s seven-race programme this Sunday (June 23) – the first of the course’s trio of Sunday meetings this summer. There’s a host of attractions for young racegoers, with the emphasis on producing exciting, competitive racing on the track, along with an entertaining and informative day out for the family.
 
Contested over one mile and a half, The totepool Pontefract Castle Stakes now offers record prize money of £40,000 – making it one of the most valuable races of the season at Pontefract. The eight previous winners – Songlark, Alfie Flits, Ivy Creek, Tranquil Tiger, Furmigadelagiusta, Prospect Wells, Distant Memories and Brown Panther – are testament to the quality of the race. Former England footballer, Michael Owen was the owner of last year’s winner Brown Panther, and was on hand to receive the trophy.
 
Stayers take part in The totepool Mobile Pontefract Cup, a Handicap race over two and a quarter miles. This race is the fourth of eight in this season’s Pontefract Stayers’ Championship, which is led by Riptide, after his victory in The Tony Bethell Memorial Handicap Stakes.  The Series incorporates all races over two miles or more at the course and is now in its tenth year. There are bonuses of £3,000 and trophies to the connections of the horse which heads the table in October, based on a points system accrued according to wins and places obtained during the series.
 
Another feature race on Sunday is The totequadpot Four Places In Four Races Handicap Stakes, a £20,000 contest over one mile and a quarter, as the whole of Sunday’s card is supported by totepool, which along with parent company Betfred, comprise one of the biggest sponsors of racing in the UK.
 
The gates open at 11-30 a.m., with the first race taking place at 2-10 p.m.
 
The giant screen situated opposite the main stands will assist racegoers to follow all of the action during the afternoon, while musical entertainment is provided by The Yorkshire Volunteers Marching Band. During the afternoon, there are performances by The National Festival Circus in the Picnic Enclosure, which is also the venue for children’s rides and bouncy castle. Yorkshire-based ‘New Beginnings’ will bring along a former racechorse for children to meet; there are also retired greyhounds to see, along with face painting and free sweets for children – while stocks last!
 
As usual, accompanied children under 18 years of age will be admitted free of charge into all enclosures. A special Family Ticket can be purchased in advance for £20 into the Grandstand & Paddock Enclosure, while a BBQ Package can also be pre-booked. There will also a charity collection for ‘Cash4Kids’.
 
 

Fashion and racing combine at Redcar this Saturday as the final day of Royal Ascot is celebrated with ‘Ladies Day’ at the course – the second leg of a two-day meeting (Friday and Saturday, June 21 & 22).
 
Saturday’s seven-race programme begins at 2-05 p.m. and is one of the social and fashion highlights of the year in the Tees Valley. As usual on this day, there are competitions to find the ‘Best-Dressed Lady’ and the lady wearing the ‘Best Hat’, with top prizes from Market Cross Jewellers, Chic Hats, Orange Kerr Beauty Treatments, Capture Le Coeur Photography and Flowers by Hannah.
 
The first three in both competitions receive special prizes. The lady judged to be the ‘Best-Dressed’ on Saturday will receive a 9-carat white gold Blue Topaz and a cocktail ring from Market Cross Jewellers from Market Cross Jewellers, vouchers from Orange Kerr Beauty Treatments and a bouquet from Flowers by Hannah. The winner will also receive automatic entry into the Grand Final of the ‘Best-Dressed Lady Racegoer in Yorkshire’ competition, held at Doncaster in October, which is the culmination of a special competition linking all of the individual ‘Ladies’ Days’ on the Yorkshire racecourses this year. She will then have the chance to win a luxury prize for two at the award-winning Best Western Premier Mount Pleasant Hotel near Doncaster, along with other top prizes.
 
The lady judged to be wearing the ‘Best Hat’ will receive a bespoke hat or fascinator from Chic Hats, along with a photo-shoot by Capture Le Coeur Photography and a bouquet from Flowers by Hannah.
 
In addition, the racecourse has teamed up with Teesside Hospice to showcase how to look great without breaking the bank in a ‘Dress For Less’ fashion show just after the first race.
 
Redcar’s general manager, Amy Fair enthused “We all look forward to ‘Ladies’ Day’, as it’s an excuse to really dress to impress and have the chance to win some superb prizes.”
 
Saturday’s action on the track features The H. Jarvis 135th Anniversary Handicap Stakes – a contest over seven furlongs – supported by H. Jarvis Ltd. of Marske, one of the UK’s leading window and door makers – while the opening race, a contest for maiden two-year-olds is supported by regular sponsors, Market Cross Jewellers in association with The European Breeders’ Fund. Further highlights on Saturday are The TEC4M Building The Future Handicap Stakes (a race for three-year-old sprinters) and The Lichfield Group Sheerframe Claiming Stakes over seven furlongs.
 
There are also seven races on Friday, starting at 2-10 p.m., the main race being The Anderson Barrowcliff Celebrating 100 Years Handicap Stakes, a contest over the straight mile supported by the Thornaby-based chartered accountants and business advisers, who are long-standing sponsors at Redcar. The Jack Everson Memorial Handicap Stakes is contested over one mile and a quarter.
 
The giant screen on both days will enable racegoers to see even more action on the track, as well as the main races from Royal Ascot. As usual, accompanied children under 16 are admitted free of charge into all enclosures

An exclusive behind the scenes tour and much more

 

If you dream of owning your own racehorse or you’d like an exclusive look behind the scenes of horseracing, there is a superb opportunity to explore this magnificent sport here in Yorkshire as part of the Go Racing in Yorkshire Summer Festival. 

 

Visit Wetherby Racecourse on Tuesday 23rd July for a special Racecourse Open Day and take a tour of all those “off limits” areas not normally open to the public. Meet some of the people who make it happen including; owners, trainers, jockeys and racecourse staff as well as a number of syndicate managers promoting racehorse ownership. You can even have a go at simulated race riding on the equicisor (mechanical horse) – great fun for the youngsters or the young at heart!

 

Of course no racing event would be complete without the stars of the show; come and see some syndicate horses currently in training and ex-racehorses now enjoying their retirement with the charity New Beginnings on the Yorkshire Wolds. 

 

Racecourse Open Day starts at 11 am. Please register for tickets at www.goracing.co.uk/summer-festival.html

 

Tickets are limited so book early, the event is FREE of charge although visitors are asked for a £5 per person donation for the Festival charity New Beginnings.

 

The Go Racing in Yorkshire Summer Festival runs for 9 days, starting at Ripon on Saturday 20th July and closing at Pontefract on Sunday 28th July. With an array of on course events, including family days and music showcases, there’s something for everyone.

 

For more information or to register for the open days visit www.goracing.co.uk follow us @YorkshireRacing on twitter for news, competitions, racing tips and information.

 


 

 

 
 
 
 
Racegoers attending the ‘Champagne Tuesday’ at Thirsk (June 18) will be able to enjoy watching a seven-race programme beginning at 2-20 p.m., along with the action from the opening day at Royal Ascot, which will be shown on the big screen opposite the main stands and also on the closed-circuit televisions in all enclosures.
 
Ladies can take part in the ‘Best Royal Ascot Hat’ competition, with the first three in the competition winning prizes totalling over £1,000, courtesy of Adorn Hats of Harrogate and Market Cross Jewellers. Judging will take place at approximately 4-10 p.m. in the Parade Ring. There’s also a special ‘Premier Champagne Package’ which can be pre-booked at £29-95 per person and consisting of Premier Enclosure Badge, a luxury seafood sandwich, glass of chilled champagne and full-colour racecard including runners at Royal Ascot
 
The principal race is The British Stallion Studs Supporting British Racing European Breeders’ Fund Fillies’ Handicap Stakes, a contest for fillies and mares over one mile, while the EBF also support a contest for novice two-year-olds over the sprint distance of five furlongs.
 
Also featured is The Theakston Best Bitter Handicap Stakes over one mile and a half. Theakston’s Brewery of Masham support The Woolpack Bar in the Premier Enclosure. Sprinters take part in The Market Cross Jewellers Handicap Stakes over six furlongs.
 
Musical entertainment throughout the afternoon is provided by The L.A. Jazz Band.

 

 

Racegoers can celebrate ‘Father’s Day’ at Doncaster on Sunday (June 16) – a special day featuring a range of attractions for young racegoers in the Family Enclosure, including appearances by television character Peppa Pig As usual, accompanied children under 18 years of age are admitted free of charge. There are fairground rides, a variety of stalls, and the chance to see retired greyhounds. Youngsters can also practice to be a jockey on the mechanical horse from the nearby Northern Racing College.
 
Racing is set to begin at 2-30 p.m. and there’s a seven-race programme, with the whole card supported by The Federation of Small Businesses. Sprinters take part in the feature race, The FSB Care Handicap Stakes over six furlongs.
 
The giant screen, situated opposite the main stands will enable racegoers to see all of the action. A shuttle bus service will be in operation from the railway station.
 
  • Racegoers can book tickets to see the ever-popular Ronan Keating live on stage after racing on Saturday evening, June 29 and top band, ‘Scouting For Girls’, who will be playing live on stage after the race meeting on Saturday afternoon, August 3.For more information, contact the racecourse or go on-line at www.doncaster-racecourse.co.uk

 
Building on forty-three years of popularity with racing fans and having already raised over £5.5 million for good causes, Macmillan Charity Day at York Racecourse this Saturday (June 15) promises to be an afternoon of quality racing.
 
For only the second time, it will include The Macmillan Charity Race, a chance for twelve supporters to “ride the dream” as they participate in a nine furlong race around the famous Knavesmire. Each has pledged at least £2,500 to the charity and you can help them beat this target by visiting their donation pages on Just Giving. Aged from twenty one to sixty four the mixed group also represent many walks of life, as a teacher, marketing director and a retired jockey all feature.  
 
Once again, the charity auction so generously supported over the years is now available on line and in advance of the raceday. This means everyone can place a bid for wonderful items such as an exclusive package for the gala opening night of Mamma Mia! in Hong Kong, a private tour of Bishopthorpe Palace home to the Archbishop of York, or a double magnum of Chateau de la Riviere, Fronsac 2000. Other items include a fully catered BBQ in your own home as well as luxury hotel stays, fine dining experiences and various prestigious racing opportunities. Visit the yorkracecourse.co.uk news section for more information on how to make your bid.
 
For the second year, a Listed race is featured on the Saturday  racing programme supported once again by Mr Ian Hall and his wife Kate, the Ganton Stakes over one mile offers increased prize money of £37,000 and provides another reason to attend the day, just by attending, racegoers will increase the money raised for charity.
 
Racing on Saturday begins at 2-05 p.m. with the 25th running of The Queen Mother’s Cup, the richest race for lady amateur riders in Britain and a contest won by The Princess Royal in 1988. It offers an opportunity for the successful rider to toast her success in her own weight of G.H. Mumm champagne.
 
Saturday’s principal race is The Charity Sprint Trophy, one of Britain’s richest sprint handicaps for three-year-olds, which now offers prize money of £100,000. The roll of honour in this race over six furlongs includes top sprinters such as Cadeaux Genereux and Sheikh Albadou, as well as locally-trained stars Tax Free, Dazzling Bay, Artie and Lexi’s Hero.
 
For the fifth year, Ladbrokes support a valuable handicap over nine furlongs – The ladbrokes.com Stakes. The high standard continues on this Charity Day with The Macmillan Cancer Support Stakes followed by The Reg Griffin Appreciation EBF Maiden Stakes – a contest named in honour of the founder of this Charity Day in 1971. A new sponsor to the day is the Ice Company who back a competitive handicap that denotes their support of Macmillan, a link that is amplified by the presence of company director, Polly Marr, in the Macmillan Charity Race. The traditional seventh race of the card is once again, The Charles Henry Memorial Stakes.
 
Macmillan Charity Day is part of a two-day meeting with racing on the Friday beginning with the backing of The McArthurGlen Designer Outlet of York and the European Breeders’ Fund for a maiden two-year-olds affair over the minimum trip of five furlongs. Racegoers will also be treated to a series of fashion shows and stylist tipping sessions throughout the afternoon as well as having the chance to win a luxury holiday.
 
Neptune Investment Management return to support a handicap contest over the extended ten furlongs to complement their backing of the Group 2 Great Voltigeur Stakes at York in August. The SKF Rous Selling Stakes is supported for the ninth year by engineering company, SKF (UK) Ltd. when DBS (Doncaster Bloodstock Sales) will bring the excitement of the Sales Ring to the Winner’s Enclosure with an auction straight after the race. Also featured are The Bell Trailers 25th Anniversary Stakes (a handicap contest for sprinters over five furlongs) and The Garbutt & Elliott Stakes – a handicap race over seven furlongs. On a card full of variety, the concluding race is a handicap contest for apprentice jockeys supported by the company who help to keep the racecourse spic and span, York-based Future Cleaning Services.
 
The totepool-supported ‘Punters’ Panel’ takes place prior to racing on both days from the winner’s podium as a preview to the action on each day, while giant screens will provide racegoers with an even closer view of proceedings on the track.

 
  
 
Ripon is in action again on Wednesday evening, followed by the course’s annual ‘Ladies Day’ fixture on the Thursday afternoon (June 19 & 20). Racing starts at 6-50 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, 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, The Elaine Wiles Lifetime In Racing Classified Selling Stakes is a sprint contest over six furlongs for apprentice jockeys who have yet to ride a winner. Elaine is well known in racing circles mainly for her work as a former northern Almoner for The Injured Jockeys’ Fund.
 
 Musical entertainment on Wednesday evening is provided by The Cabaret Sensational Band, while it’s the turn of Trio Gitan on Thursday afternoon.
 
Ripon’s ‘Ladies Day’ once again coincides with ‘Ladies Day’ at Royal Ascot on Thursday afternoon as racing and fashion combine. Fashion Shows courtesy of ‘Curvy Bridal’ of Boroughbridge take place during the afternoon on the catwalk in the hospitality marquee, while the renowned ‘Magician to the Stars’, Paul Lytton will be entertaining guests in the marquee. Bookings for the ‘Grand Marquee Package’ are being taken by the racecourse.
 
 The ‘Best Dressed Lady’ and the ‘Best Hat’ Competitions will take place during the afternoon, with a cash prize of £1,500 up for grabs for the Best-Dressed Lady, who 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 prize for two at the renowned Best Western Premier Mount Pleasant Hotel near Doncaster, along with a £500 fashion voucher from Yasmine of Bawtry and Epworth and a diamond pendant valued at £2,500 courtesy of lovevintagediamonds.com. The winner of the ‘Best Hat’ award on Thursday will receive a couple of annual badges for the 2014 season at Ripon.
 
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 27th year by Beaumont Robinson – independent financial advisers of Shipley..
 
The most valuable race is The Ladies Day 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 Curvy Bridal Boroughbridge Handicap Stakes over one mile and a half.
 
 Ripon’s permanent giant screen will enable racegoers to follow all of the action, including that from Royal Ascot on Thursday afternoon.

 
Beverley’s season continues with ‘A Very British Raceday’ on Saturday (June 8), followed by a meeting the following Wednesday (June 12). Racing on both days is scheduled to begin at 2-00 p.m.
 
Saturday’s seven-race programme features a pair of Conditions races for sprinters over five furlongs. Colts and geldings line-up for The Brian Yeardley Continental Two-Year-Old Trophy, a race for juveniles, while there should be plenty of speed in The Brantingham Stakes.
 
The Happy Birthday Graham Hallett Handicap Stakes is held over one mile and a quarter, The Beryl & Joe Turner Memorial Stakes (a handicap race for three-year-olds over seven furlongs), The Empress Hull 25 Year Celebration Handicap Stakes (extended mile) and The Strawberry Fillies’ Handicap Stakes (five furlongs) are also featured.
 
Prior to racing on Saturday (at approximately 1-20 p.m.), six professional jockeys riding during the afternoon will take part in The ‘Donkey Derby’ and to celebrate a quintessential British racecday, racegoers can enjoy cream teas and strawberries on the open top bus and Pimm’s on the lawn. There’s also a jazz band and a ‘Last Night of the Proms’ sing-a-long at the conclusion of racing. For young racegoers in the Course Enclosure, there are performances by Punch & Judy.
 
Racing next Wednesday is supported by Racehorse Trader, which promotes the buying and selling of racehorses and thoroughbred stock via the internet.

GO RACING IN YORKSHIRE SUMMER FESTIVAL RETURNS FOR THE 6TH YEAR

 

The Go Racing in Yorkshire Summer Festival returns for its 6th year on Saturday 20th July and continues until Sunday 28th July. The Festival showcases a week of Yorkshire racing and racing events, along with live music, entertainment, competitions, a stable visit and racecourse open day.

 

The Go Racing in Yorkshire Summer Festival continues to be supported by Sky Bet, Great British Racing, The Yorkshire Post, Welcome to Yorkshire, and Yorkshire Radio with new sponsors Infinity Tyres joining the line-up for this year.

 

As well as some superb racing action there are two special racing events during the Festival week including a visit to the yard of one of the county’s leading trainers, Richard Fahey and Racecourse Open Day at Wetherby Racecourse, both events providing an exclusive insight into what goes on behind the scenes. Racecourse Open Day promises to deliver everything for the aspiring racehorse owner or racing enthusiast who wants to know more. Meet owners, trainers, jockeys and racecourse staff as well as a number of syndicate managers promoting racehorse ownership. Come and see horses currently in training and ex-racehorses now enjoying their retirement with the charity New Beginnings on the Yorkshire Wolds. The event is FREE of charge although visitors are asked for a £5 per person donation for the festival charity New Beginnings.

 

This year’s race card competition offers one lucky winner a table for 2 in the prestige Voltigeur Restaurant on Ebor Day, Saturday 24 August including admission, lunch and afternoon tea, a £200 free bet courtesy of Sky Bet and an overnight stay at Raithwaite Hall. Competition boxes can be found at the GRIY mobile unit at each course on every day of the festival.

 

Looking forward to this year’s festival, John Sexton, Chairman of Go Racing in Yorkshire commented "The Go Racing In Yorkshire Summer Festival is now in its sixth year and has become a major highlight of the racing scene in the county. With all nine of Yorkshire’s racecourses working together over the nine days of the Festival, it is a chance for racing fans to enjoy top class sport on the wide variety of beautiful venues Yorkshire has to offer, plus get behind the scenes at Wetherby and visit Richard Fahey’s top racing yard".

 

For more information or to register for the Open Days visit the Summer Festival Page. Tickets are available on a first come first served basis and are limited.