Pontefract’s 21st annual ‘Red Shirt Night’ charity meeting on Friday evening (July 19) – 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 to be based in Malton. This meeting also incorporates the course’s second Beer Festival. Local breweries such as Pennine Brewery, Revolutions Brewery, 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.
The most valuable race on Friday evening is The Betfred Handicap Stakes, a contest for sprinters over five furlongs, offering increased 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 seventh running of The Colstrope Cup Handicap Stakes – a contest over one mile continues to be supported by Yvonne Jacques and Beryl Jones
The Highbank Stud Maiden Handicap Stakes is contested over one mile and a quarter (supported for the first time by Highbank Stud of Wetherby), while sprinters take part in the final race of the evening over six furlongs, The Moor Top Farm Hemsworth Farm Shop Hemsworth Handicap Stakes.
A giant screen will assist racegoers in following all of the action, while 80’s tribute band, ‘Smooth Criminals’ 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.