Whilst this is clearly a disappointing decision for racing supporters and many in our home city; it is right that the public health is kept as a priority.

The many highlights of the four days will be available to view from the comfort of home with ITV1 showing five races a day and Racing TV all twenty-eight contests.

For the Owners of the star horses set to run at the Ebor Festival, a more detailed update will follow, however they remain most welcome in line with the Government’s stage 3 protocols for participants in the sport.

Customers who booked direct with York Racecourse for the Welcome to Yorkshire Ebor Festival 2020 are entitled to a full refund and will be contacted by email.

The revenue from gate receipts is vital to the ongoing well-being of York Racecourse; it helps fund the prize money which regularly attracts the star horses and jockeys and is the life blood of racing stables, it contributes towards the facilities for all to enjoy and keeps together the team that work to deliver the racedays. So, the Racecourse are requesting that racegoers simply allow us to transfer their existing bookings to the summer of 2021. This would mean a price freeze on a regular event. The provisional dates for next season would mean the 2021 Welcome to Yorkshire Ebor Festival would run Wednesday 18th August through to Saturday 21st August.

Those who have booked a Private Box or a table in one of the restaurants also have the option to transfer the booking to 2021 or to receive a refund. Hospitality customers will be contacted directly by the team.

For locals who use the Knavesmire, the raceday closure of Cherry Lane Car Park and the Service Road, between 12 noon-6pm on each day of the Ebor Festival, will still be required to best ensure everyone’s safety.

York Racecourse would wish to thank everyone for their continuing support and patience in what is the most unusual of seasons.