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 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