Yorkshire Jockeys Horse Racing

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Ripon’s most valuable and iconic race of the season, The William Hill Great St. Wilfrid Stakes takes pride of place on a top-class card this Saturday, August 13th.

The famous Handicap for sprinters over six furlong will be the talk of the weekend’s action, with owners looking to land some of the £70,000 prize pot on offer for the big race.

It’s the most valuable raceday of the season at Yorkshire’s ‘Garden Racecourse’ with total prize money of £144,000 up for grabs. The meeting also includes fourth running of The William Hill Silver Trophy a £20,000, a ‘consolation’ race for the horses entered, but unable to get into the feature race.

After an improved sponsorship deal with William Hill, the bookmaker also adds its name to two additional races including the well-respected William Hill Ripon Horn Blower Conditions Stakes for two-year olds and a fourth race for three year olds over a mile and a half.

James Hutchinson, Managing Director and Clerk of the Course said:

“It’s one of our highlights of the season and something we build up to over a period with huge excitement. For the past five years the race has been won by Yorkshire trainers and the field is set to be full of talented Yorkshire sprinters once again”.

David Lynn, Head of Sponsorship and Partnerships at William Hill said:

“We are delighted with our enhanced sponsorship of the William Hill Great St. Wilfrid Day. Our increased contribution is a testament to the excellent relationship we enjoy with the team at Ripon racecourse which is both innovative and progressive”.

The successful owner in Saturday’s big race will receive a silver trophy depicting Ripon’s Patron Saint, St. Wilfrid, mounted on horseback along with a healthy first prize fund of over £43,575.

Contested over six furlongs, another competitive renewal is expected including several locally-trained horses; indeed this famous race has been won for the last five years by Yorkshire-trained horses. Last season’s winner, Don’t Touch (trained at Malton by Richard Fahey) followed his win at Ripon a month later by winning the William Hill Ayr Gold Cup and taking home another £112,050 making it a very fruitful few weeks for owners Nicholas Wrigley and Kevin Hart.

Racing on Saturday August 13th starts with the first of seven races at 1.50pm with entry from 11.30am. Racegoers can gain entry from just £6 per person in the ever popular Course Enclosure with FREE entry for accompanied u18’s into all enclosures.

Saturday’s musical entertainment on the bandstand is provided by The Otley Brass Band, together with a selection of rides such as bouncy castles and inflatables for children in the Course Enclosure alongside their permanent play area (weather dependant).

Ripon continue their August racing calendar on Tuesday 16th August with their Alice in Wonderland Day. The dedicated family day includes lots of FREE activities for junior racegoers including a Mad Hatters Tea Party, ‘Into Wonderland’ games with Alice and friends and a fancy dress competition.

There will also be a variety of fun fair rides and a special visit from ‘Meg’ and ‘Harry’ courtesy of New Beginnings, a York based charity dedicated to retraining ex-racehorses for life after racing.

You can keep up to date with all the latest news and offers from the course on their social media pages, or by visiting their website.

Closing details

Ripon Races are a flat turf racecourse, one of nine racecourses in Yorkshire. They hold 17 race meetings in 2016, from April to September with a variety of evening, weekend and family fun race days.

The race meeting on Saturday 13th August starts with the first of seven races at 1.50pm with entry from 11.30am.

As usual at Ripon, accompanied children under 18 years of age are admitted FREE of charge into all enclosures. Tickets can be pre-booked for discounts or adult admission is available on the gates from £6 per person in the Course Enclosure, £16 in the Paddock and £25 for the Club Enclosure.