We’re lucky enough to have some fantastic sporting action right on our doorstep in West Yorkshire with Rugby League and Horseracing being two of the biggest spectator sports in both the region and nationally. On Monday 6th June – our inaugural Rugby League Evening – some of our fantastic Rugby League teams (Castleford Tigers, Featherstone Rovers, Huddersfield Giants and Wakefield Trinity Wildcats) will be taking over Pontefract Races for one night only!
There are some fantastic offers about too – 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 £40, fans will have the opportunity to meet, greet and mingle with their favourite players in the luxury of the private VIP 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 feature on the track is the Mr Wolf Sprint Handicap. This £15,000 race over 6f 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 is 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 a fiercely competitive event and usually throws up a sprinter to keep on the right side of – last year the race went to Tom Dascombe’s speedy ‘Dawn’s Early Light’ who went on to finish last season chasing home the super smart ‘The Tin Man’!
At the other end of the scale, The Tony Bethell Memorial forms the 3rd round of the 2016 Stayers Championship. American Life and Madam Lilibet lead the current race for the title but last year’s winner – the evergreen Tuscan Gold – is just a few points behind them. There’ll no doubt be a few familiar names lining up and another grandstand finish is on the cards!
The Racecourse’s ‘Postcode Lottery’ promotion gives those with a WF postcode the chance to pick up a ticket for just £2. There are 100 £2 tickets available and they’re selling fast. Register a utility bill with the Racecourse in order to claim your ticket – be quick though, there aren’t many left and racegoers are advised to check the website for availability!