Go Racing at

Thirsk Racecourse

Name: Thirsk Flat Race | Vickers.bet Thirsk Hunt Cup
Start: 2024-05-04
End: 2024-05-04
Location: Thirsk

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Modern amenities in the idyllic countryside

Thirsk Racecourse is situated in the wonderful old cobbled market town of Thirsk, North Yorkshire, forever immortalised as ‘Darrowby’ in the literary works of the World’s most famous veterinary author James Herriot, who occasionally found himself working at the Racecourse on racedays.

The Racecourse facilities have benefited from huge and widespread investment over the past few years, the latest edition being the new Owners & Trainers facility, The Chestnut Room.

Upcoming Events

Thirsk offer race days for everyone, including Ladies’ Day, Sausage & Beer evening, Family Days and Premier race days. In addition they are hosting one of the Sky Bet Sunday Series race meetings in June.

A full list of race meetings can be viewed at the bottom of this page, where you can also book tickets.

Ticket Options

Thirsk offers two enclosures, the Premier Enclosure and the Grandstand, Paddock and Picnic Enclosure.

The Premier Enclosure gives access to all areas, prime grandstand viewing, a variety of food options, including fine dining and comprehensive bar choices.

There is a dress code in the Premier Enclosure, which is a shirt with a collar, smart trousers or tailored shorts and smart-casual footwear for men, while women are encouraged to dress smartly.

The Grandstand, Paddock and Picnic Enclosure includes access to the parade ring and winner’s enclosure, as well as the bandstand and betting hall. There are numerous food outlets and bars and an adventure playground which is free of charge. There is no dress code.

Concession rates are available in the Grandstand, Paddock and Picnic Enclosure at £12 each and a family ticket is also available, starting at £25 for two adults and accompanied children.

The Racecourse Experience

Private boxes are available on the second floor of the Hambleton Stand, catering for between 8 and 50 guests. For more guests, private here of the Pavilion Suite can accommodate up to 100 guests or a private lawn marquee can be organised to suit your numbers.

The Hambleton Restaurant is available in the Premier Enclosure, where guests can enjoy a reserved table for the day, a two or three-course meal, traditional afternoon tea, a private betting and bar facility, plus TV coverage of the racing.

Dine and View in the Thomas Lord Suite also offers a reserved table for the meeting, a three-cours lunch selected from teh a la carte menu, afternoon tea, a private betting facility, cash bar and cloakroom facilities, plus a tipster talk before racing.

For something more informal, choose the Fresh Platter Package which gives an reserved table until the first race in The Shrimp, on the edge of the Parade Ring. It includes a chilled platter of either Seafood, Charcuterie, or Vegan, served with hot new potatoes and salads, plus a light dessert to finish.

Plan Your Day

All parking is free of charge, but cars must not be left overnight.

Thirsk railway Station as at the end of teh Thirsk Racecourse six-furlong chute and a 15 minute walk to the racecourse. There is however a free shuttle-bus service on all racedays, operating from two hours before the first race and resuming after the last from the coach park.

Thirsk is also service by regular local buses from York, Easingwold, Northallerton and Ripon.

Racing on the present site at Thirsk began on 15 March 1855 on what was then the Thirsk Hall Estate of Squire Frederick Bell, and indeed remains in the Bell Family to this day. Royal patronage was first welcomed at Thirsk in 1895 when the Prince of Wales – the future King Edward VII – attended the autumn meeting, for which a special grandstand was built as the Royal Pavilion, which stood on the Racecourse for some thirty years. Thirsk Racecourse is also a ‘Classic’ venue having staged the 1940 renewal of the St. Leger Stakes (the world’s oldest classic race) which was won by the Aga Khan’s Turkham and ridden by the greatest jockey of that era, Sir Gordon Richards.

Apart from James Herriot, Thirsk has another very accomplished son in Thomas Lord, who was born there in 1755. An accomplished cricketer himself, Lord founded the world’s most famous cricket ground, Lord’s. His old house in Thirsk is now the Town Museum.