The opening meeting of the 2014 season at Thirsk takes place on Saturday (April 12) – the first of 15 days’ racing at the popular North Yorkshire track. The seven-race programme begins at 2-15 p.m. and forms part of the national 50th anniversary celebrations of the Injured Jockeys’ Fund.
Locally-based former trainer, Jack Berry MBE, Vice-President of The IJF will – prior to racing – officially open the new Premier Enclosure facilities at the course, The Thomas Lord Dine & View Restaurant and The Shrimp & Stirrup Seafood Bar.
Berry is the guiding light behind ‘Jack Berry House’, the state-of-the-art rehabilitation centre for northern-based jockeys which is being constructed in Malton and which is due to open later this year. The racecourse will be making a donation to ‘Jack Berry House’ and funds will be raised on Saturday in general for the IJF.
Saturday’s most valuable and longest race is The New ‘Thomas Lord Dine & View Restaurant’ Handicap Stakes over one mile and a half, offering prize money of £20,000. Thomas Lord, who was born in Thirsk in 1755, was the founder of Lord’s Cricket Ground in St. John’s Wood, London– regarded as the most famous cricket ground in the world.
The European Breeders’ Fund support The ebfstallions.com Michael Foster EBF Conditions Stakes over seven furlongs. The late Michael Foster was a long-standing chairman of Thirsk Racecourse.
Musical entertainment during the afternoon is provided by jazz band, ‘The Gershwin Gang’ and for younger racegoers, there are bouncy castles and the playground in the Family Enclosure.
The awards for the top trainer, jockey and apprentice rider during the season at Thirsk continue to be sponsored by Green’s Farm Supplies Ltd. Last year’s winners were David Barron, Paul Mulrennan and Connor Beasley respectively. Presentations will be made to them during the afternoon.
The giant screen, situated opposite the stands will enable racegoers to see even more of the action as well as showing racing from Ayr featuring the Scottish Grand National and the action from Newbury.
Looking forward to a new season, Thirsk’s General Manager & Clerk of the Course, James Sanderson said “It’s all systems go for what should be a tremendous start to our 2014 campaign on Saturday. I’m sure our new facilities will be well received as we raise the profile and provide donations for a very worthy cause, ‘Jack Berry House’.”