York’s two-day Music Showcase weekend on Friday evening and Saturday afternoon (July 22 & 23), supported by Sky Bet, combines Pattern race quality action on the track and live performances on the music stage, so it is no surprise that each event can claim to be the best attended meeting of its type, in the country.

Kaiser Chiefs are set to play on the evening of Friday 22 July, returning to their home county, having delivered a memorable, high energy show on their previous visit to the Knavesmire, three years ago.

After racing on Saturday 23 July, The Corrs, who are delighted to be back performing together, will be the headline act. The family quartet are famous for their enchanting mix of traditional Celtic music with a pop rock twist that has led to number one singles such as Breathless, plus more than 30 million album sales.

The only evening fixture of the season at York gets underway at 6.00 pm on Friday with gates opening at 4pm.

The highlight of a valuable six race card is the eighth 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 nineteen contests on the Knavesmire this year supported by The European Breeders’ Fund. Last year’s race was won by French Dressing, another smart sort from the yard of John Gosden.

Also featured on Friday evening is a handicap contest over five and a half furlongs that demonstrates 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 Think as One Stakes, with two-year-olds being the rationale for The Best One Maiden Stakes; whilst a competitive handicap takes the name of buildings support firm, Novus.

Saturday’s quality seven-race programme means the prize money for the two days will exceed £325,000. The action starts at 1-55 p.m. with the entire card sponsored by Sky Bet – an Authorised Betting Partner to the sport and also one of the leading horseracing, gaming and sports betting companies in the U.K.

The principal race on Saturday is the eleventh 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 Tulius, giving Phillip Makin another big Saturday winner as he secured his first Top Jockey title on the Knavesmire. According to recent history Saturday’s victor could reappear in the best race in Great Britain and the richest race of York’s season, the £900,000 Juddmonte International on Wednesday 17 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 Tanzeel, who is part of a crop of quality sprinters trained by Charlie Hills.

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.

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 and Test Match cricket from Old Trafford.

Away from the main stage, there will be music from both New York Brass and The Y Street Band. 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.