We’re lucky enough to have some fantastic sporting action on our doorstep in West Yorkshire with Rugby League and Horse Racing being two of the biggest spectator sports in both the region and nationally. On Monday 11th June – our Rugby League Evening – some of our fantastic local Rugby League teams (Castleford Tigers, Featherstone Rovers, Huddersfield Giants and Wakefield Trinity) will be taking over Pontefract Races for one night only!
There are some fantastic offers about – season ticket holders with any of the clubs will be able to come along on the night and pay just £5 to get in to the Grandstand & Paddock Enclosure – just don’t forget to bring your season ticket along with you!
Those wanting to make a night of it can meet their teams’ heroes with the VIP Package. For just £42, fans will have the opportunity to meet, greet and mingle with their favourite players in the luxury of the private Rugby League Hospitality Box. With private viewing balconies overlooking the Parade Ring and Winning post, as well as a fantastic hot buffet and a table for the evening, it’s a fantastic opportunity to really make it a night to remember.
The 6f Mr Wolf Sprint Handicap remembers one of the all-time Ponte greats. Runners in this race have a huge mountain to climb to emulate the great Mr Wolf – he ran at Pontefract an incredible 36 times throughout his career, winning here on 8 occasions. He ran his last race at the course back in July 2012 but will be back on the night to parade before racing starts.
The race itself is always competitive and last years winner Golden Apollo trained by Tim Easterby took the contest by an impressive 5 lengths to Parnassian. Golden Apollo went on to win a £100,000 race 5 days later at York and struck the front again in August at the Shergar Cup meeting at Ascot.
Pontefract is geographically well placed and attracts runners from all over the country. There’s an added incentive for runners in the 1m4f handicap – The Wakefield Trinity Handicap Stakes – as this race has been upgraded from a Class 4 to a Class 2, and now has a total prize fund of £25,000.
If you are driving to this meeting make sure you collect your Designated Driver voucher from the Car Park Attendants. These vouchers can be used in the Racecourse to get 2 bottles of Harrogate Spa Water free of charge.
The Racecourse’s ‘Postcode Lottery’ promotion gives those with a DN postcode the chance to pick up a free ticket. There are 100 tickets available! For full information, please view the Racecourse website at www.pontefract-races.co.uk
Racing gets underway at 6.40pm and the gates open at 4.30pm.