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.