Yorkshire Jockeys Horse Racing

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The last chance to enjoy racing action at York in 2015 comes on Friday and Saturday (9 & 10 October). With record prize money of over £415,000 on offer, it is the most valuable October finale ever held on the Knavesmire.

A year on year increase of £100,000 to prize money sees all fourteen races over the two days benefitting from the boost of more than 25% over 2014.

The feature race of the Saturday meeting is the now £100,000 Coral Sprint Trophy, an ultra-competitive sprint handicap benefitting from a £25,000 increase to become the nineteenth race of the season to have a six figure purse.

The Listed Coral Rockingham Stakes which showcased smart sprinter Mattmu for the Tim Easterby yard last season, will now offer £50,000.

Channel 4 cameras will be at the track on the Friday for the first time, to cover two races; including a new £50,000 feature handicap for three year old staying horses over a mile and three quarters supported by Stan James. This new race is intended to provide an autumn opportunity for the highly rated stayers who may well have competed in the Betfred Melrose Stakes at the Welcome to Yorkshire Ebor Festival.

Friday will see the fourth staging of ‘Countryside Raceday’ with its biggest ever Countryside Market; while Saturday will be accompanied by the sound of the a marching military band in support of the Coldstream Guards Cup, a middle-distance handicap that will bring the curtain down on the season.

Looking to combine the delights of the rural life with the excitement of a raceday, the ‘Countryside Raceday’ on Friday will mean seven races being complemented by rural activity and products; including a sheepdog display and a chance to get up close to some birds of prey. For those wishing to start their Christmas shopping early there is a Countryside Market of local produce and crafts.

Friday’s card also begins at 1.45p.m. and blends competitive handicaps with contests to develop the two-year-olds as well as honing the talents of apprentice jockeys. Regular race sponsors on this day include TSG, the IT provider that supports the racecourse team and Future Cleaning Services who keep the stands spic and span. Regulars at York and visitors to the city will recognize the Parsonage Country House Hotel & Cloisters Spa at Escrick who return in support of a race on this day. The European Breeders’ Fund continue their backing of York with support of the contest for maiden two-year-olds. Completing a day of returning sponsors, are Racing UK and bookmaker Stan James. The latter also backing a valuable handicap over the unusual distance for the UK of a mile and a sixteenth, a trip more familiar to followers of US racing.

Saturday’s quality seven race programme begins at 1-45 p.m. with the first of two valuable handicaps backed by Titanbet.co.uk.

The meeting will also see the conclusion of the season long contests to be top jockey and trainer at York. This season both competitions have a clear favourite. In the Living North-sponsored jockey’s race, the 56th John Smith’s Cup winning rider, Phillip Makin sits three clear of national champion elect Silvestre De Sousa with ten winners already this term at York. Mid season injuries to both defending champion, Ryan Moore and perennial contender North Yorkshire-based, Danny Tudhope has left the way clear for the fine form of Phillip to be rewarded with a first York title.

The leaderboard to be the Charles Clinkard Top Trainer at York is headed by the current champion on the Knavesmire, locally-based David O’Meara with eleven successes to date. The Nawton yard’s closest rival is William Haggas who moved rapidly to seven winners after a golden Welcome to Yorkshire Ebor Festival added five to his tally.

As well as the sound of fife and drum, racegoers will be able to enjoy the jazz of the Tom Roberts Band on Friday, whilst Saturday offers the foot stompin’ fun of Murphy’s Marbles.

New Beginnings, a worthy cause that supports retired racehorses, will bring Harry, a thoroughbred that raced at York in the nineties, as well as his pal, Meg the pony, for racegoers to meet.

Four large screens will cover both racing on the Knavesmire and the major contests from Newmarket. The totepool – backed Punters Panel will offer tips before racing on each day. The wider sporting world will not be overlooked as televisions will be dedicated to show the Rugby World Cup matches featuring Scotland against Samoa and Wales taking on Australia.