York Racecourse is honoured that The Duke of York has agreed to become its Patron.

The news follows the visit by HRH on Wednesday 13 May, 2015 when he officially opened the new Weighing Room – the key part of the wider development of the northern end of the racecourse.

A staunch supporter of both the City of York and wider County of Yorkshire, The Duke of York has previously visited the Knavesmire in his capacity as Colonel-in-Chief of the Yorkshire Regiment when soldiers returning from active service were hosted on the opening day in 2012, for their homecoming ceremony.

A long association with racing in the City also saw HRH present the trophy for the Prince of Wales’s Stakes during Royal Ascot at York back in 2005.

Speaking about the news, Chairman of York, Lord Grimthorpe, said; “The York Race Committee and I are absolutely delighted and honoured that The Duke of York has agreed to become our first ever Patron. He will be a wonderful ambassador for the racecourse and we hope, with his help, York will continue to improve as one of the world’s leading racecourses.”