York Races

York race course often comes out on top, when the discussion about where the UKs best horse racing course crops up. York is often seen as being one of the UKs most prestigious and enjoyable race courses to attend. The recent winner of the Flat Racecourse of the Year Award it’s never short of an accolade or two, from industry experts.

Unlike other tracks, where we can be accurate with regards to when the first meet occurred, York has a somewhat hazier history. Races were first recorded in York when England was governed by a Roman Emperor, going by the name of Emperor Severus, over 2,000 years ago. Or, thereabouts.

In more recent times, well around the 16th century records show horse races once took place upon the frozen river Ouse, between Micklegate Tower and Skeldergare Postern.

The course, where it sits now at Knavesmire, has been here since 1730, having been forced to move due to continuous flooding. The first meet, on this horse shoe shaped course, took place in 1731. The first stands went up in 1754 and there has been continued expansion and development since.

Taking place in August, from the 23rd to the 26th the Ebor Festival features some of the UKs oldest, fastest, richest and most famous of races.

A fashionable spectacle, with a wealth of talented horses, it’s a bookmaker’s, as well as a punters dream. The Group 1 Juddmonte International race ranks number 1 for thoroughbred horse participation.

Dress to impress too, there’s a prize giveaway of around £500 for the best dressed lady. Though, it’s purely the privilege and honour to be selected as opposed to any fee for the honour. There’s a host of runner up prize giveaways too, even for best dressed hat, so get imaginative.

Annually, approximately 360,000 visit York’s racecourses and the vast majority will be budgeting in for a bet or two.

Though, like other racecourses across the country there’s no strict dress code. However, as with tradition gents usually wear a suit, for the County Stand a jacket, collared shirt and tie are stipulated here.

During the Ebor festival, the course comes alive with flower beds, flower boxes, featured displays and a plethora of hanging baskets.

And, if you like a tipple within such an organic and beautiful, coloured space then you are in for a treat. York has an award-winning Wine List, having won a national award for wines that offered value along with an extensive selection.

The course saw its highest attendance back in 1851, when an estimated 150,000 saw The Flying Dutchman beat Voltigeur. Nowadays, the modern era, the biggest crowd recorded was on a July Saturday afternoon in 2010, when 42,586 was the recorded attendance.

Wed 23rd Aug 2017 Juddmonte International

Thu 24th Aug 2017 Darley York Oaks & Ladies Day

Fri 25th Aug 2017 Coolmore Nunthorpe

Sat 26th Aug 2017 Betfred Ebor Festival

Sun 10th Sep 2017 The Press Family Raceday

Fri 13th Oct 2017 Countryside Raceday

Sat 14th Oct 2017 Coral Sprint Trophy

Situated just to the south-west of the city close to the chocolate works.

Tadcaster Road

York

YO23 1EX

Tel: 01904 620 911