Ripon’s 2014 season comes to a resounding conclusion this Saturday (September 27) with a quality seven-race programme at Yorkshire’s ‘Garden Racecourse’, scheduled to begin at 2-10 p.m. with a contest for maiden two-year-olds supported by The European Breeders’ Fund under the Irish Stallion Farms banner. 

The principal race is The Ripon Cathedral City Of The Dales Handicap Stakes, a contest for sprinters over six furlongs, offering prize money of £30,000 with the chief supporting races being The CHS Vehicles Handicap Stakes (one mile and a half), The Ripon Land Rover Nursery Handicap Stakes (for two-year-olds over one mile) and The SIS Live Handicap Stakes – a contest for sprinters over five furlongs.

Both David Sonia and Lisa McLean have races sponsored by their family and friends as part oF Their respective 40th birthday celebrations.

 Ripon’s permanent giant screen will enable racegoers to follow the action in more detail, while The Ripon Grammar School Band provide the musical entertainment from the bandstand. There’s also a selection of attractions for youngsters in the Course Enclosure – dependent upon the weather – while there are permanent play areas in both the Paddock and Course enclosures.

 Going into this final meeting of the season, David O’Meara, who is based at Nawton near Helmsley, has a clear lead in the race to be Ripon’s top trainer this season, while his stable jockey, Danny Tudhope tops the table in the riders’ category. 

The conclusion of the season coincides with the racecourse winning the Gold Rose Award at the annual ’Yorkshire in Bloom’ Awards held in Harrogate.