Category: Uncategorised
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.
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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.
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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.”
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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.
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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.
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Press contact: Felicity Marshall 07966 296 838; fmarshall@racingwelfare.co.uk
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.
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.
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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.
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.
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
- 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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;
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Caribbean Carnival day on Saturday 9th August;
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Ladies’ & Gents’ Evening on Saturday 23rd August;
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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.
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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.
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/
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
- 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.
- 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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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 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
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.