It’s been over 5 months since we last had racing at Pontefract, but the 2016 season is almost upon us and the West Yorkshire track kick off their 16 day campaign on Tuesday 5th April. With prize money once again topping the £1 million mark, there promises to be another season of top class racing and fantastic entertainment.
At the annual Press Luncheon held on Wednesday 2nd March, Norman Gundill outlined exciting plans for the year ahead. With admission prices to the Premier, Grandstand & Paddock and Silver Enclosure fixed for another year, there is a small increase for the price of a car to park in the Picnic Enclosure with a maximum of 4 adult occupants (now £15) although the price does now include a racecard. However, with the cost of a joint Annual Badge working out at under £8 per person per day for the whole season, the excellent Loyalty Card scheme and the £2 Postcode Lottery promotion all in operation this season, there are plenty of bargains to be had.
On the track, the quality of the racing promises to be as good as ever with 5 Listed Races offering a combined total of £210,000 in prize money. In 2015, David O’Meara continued his stranglehold of the Sky Bet Pomfret Stakes when Mondialiste followed up the success of his stable companion, Custom Cut, in 2014. Mondialiste continued his impressive progression through the ranks winning a Group 3 at York and a Grade 1 in Canada before finishing runner up in the Breeders Cup Mile at Keeneland. The totepool Pontefract Castle Stakes went to subsequent Group 2 winner, Connecticut, and The Weatherbys Pipalong Stakes went to subsequent Group 3 winner, Nakuti. Divine won the EBF Highfield Farm Flying Fillies Stakes and ran some fantastic races in defeat throughout the rest of the campaign. Her 2016 season is already underway in Meydan where she’s bumped in to some high class performers in Jungle Cat and Ertijaal. The 2yo Listed race run at the last meeting was won by Thanksfortellingme who completed his 2 year old career unbeaten in three starts. They weren’t the only equine stars seen at Ponte in 2015 as Right Touch (who famously went on to win at Ayr on ‘Touch’ Day), Dawn’s Early Light, Sixth Sense, Mayfair Lady, Penhill and Hernandoshideaway all appeared at the track during the season.
EXCITING TIMES
As well as favourites such as Red Shirt Night on Friday Eve 15th July (which again features a Yorkshire Beer Festival) and Father’s Day – Flat Cap and Whippet Family Day on Sunday 19th June, there are some new theme days to look forward to in 2016.
On Friday Eve 27th May, Cheryl, Mike and Jay (formerly of Bucks Fizz) will be performing straight after the racing to complement the Racecourse 80s Night. It’s the 35th anniversary of their famous skirt-ripping Eurovision winning performance and, as has become the tradition on Pontefract 80s Night, prices in advance for the event will reflect what would have been paid in the 1980s with the Premier Enclosure (£15) and Grandstand & Paddock (£10) admission also including the band’s performance after the last race.
The Monday Evening race meeting on 6th June has also received a complete facelift and will now be Rugby League Evening. Season ticket holders of Castleford Tigers, Featherstone Rovers, Huddersfield Giants and Wakefield Wildcats will all get entry to the Grandstand & Paddock for just £5. There’s also the opportunity to upgrade to a VIP Package (for £40) with the chance to meet and greet the players!
Tuesday 5th July becomes the Art of Racing Raceday with racegoers encouraged to try their hand at all things racing! From trying your hand at commentating to seeing the starts; and picking the Best Turned Out horse to tipping the winners. There’s even the chance for budding jockeys to try out the equiciser!
There’s also the 27th Annual Northern Racing College Charity Day (on Wednesday 27th April) and the Midsummer Tea Party Day (on Monday 27th June) to look forward to.
In keeping with the strong family tradition, there are also 2 more Family Sundays (the Go Racing in Yorkshire Festival Family Day on 24th July and the Flying Fillies Family Day on 14th August) in addition to the Father’s Day meeting on 19th June.
The glitz and glamour of the ever popular Ladies Day hits the town on Wednesday 3rd August where the winner of the Best Dressed Lady Competition will walk away with an all inclusive trip for two to Mauritius courtesy of RIU Hotels and Resorts.
There truly is something for everyone at Pontefract in 2016.
RACECOURSE CHANGES
Regular racegoers will also notice that the Paddock Lounge Bar has been revamped. Not only has there been a major redecoration scheme but two of the outdoor kiosks have also been incorporated in to the Bar, giving a new raised seating area and a much lighter, sunnier aspect over the Betting Hall lawn and Parade Ring.
Annual Badge holders will also notice that their bar has undergone some work along with a range of new furniture added to the area. The Racecourse run a trip for 50 of their Annual Badge holders each year to visit a leading stable yard and, on Monday 27th June, they will be bused out to Malton to see the yard of the course’s 2015 leading trainer, Richard Fahey.
With just over 4 weeks to the start of the racing year at Pontefract these are exciting times for the Racecourse who look forward to welcoming punters, new and old, back for the 2016 season.
Full details of all the Pontefract race meetings to be held this year can be found at their website on www.pontefract-races.co.uk.