Racing in York
Racing Background
Racing is an international sport that provides highlights like the Vodafone Derby or Martell Grand National and our own Ebor Festival at York. It also provides 1,700 days of UK sport throughout the year showcasing the talents of great jockeys like Dettori, great horses (over 75,000 runners a year), and colourful characters. There are over 5 million attendances at racing every year and the introduction of Sunday and evening meetings are widening the appeal. An average Channel 4 television broadcast attracts 600,000 viewers and only football receives more hours of terrestrial TV coverage. For the first time in its near 300 year history Royal Ascot moved north in June 2005 and was staged at York whilst the Ascot course was redeveloped. The event was a huge success attracting over 200,000 visitors during the week. In 2006 York racecourse will be home to the Classic race meeting the St Leger, whilst Doncaster undergoes its own redevelopment.
York Background
The race course in York is a flat only racecourse that provides 15 days of racing from May to October, and is a host to three Group One races, other Pattern races and famous handicaps (equates to 9% of the top 1.5% of all races). Many Classic winners and famous horses have run here, e.g. Benny the Dip, Mill Reef. The racecourse is widely regarded as the best in the North, only Doncaster because of the St Leger and Aintree for the National could claim to rival it. National rivals are Ascot and Epsom. This has been confirmed by an independent review of racecourses by The Times journalist, Alan Lee, who currently ranks York as top (year 2001). The exciting races in York attract more than 250,000 visitors a year and the prize money, in excess of £3,500,000, is the largest amount in the North (3rd nationwide).
Some facts about York’s Racecourse
w The John Smiths' Cup is the longest running sponsored flat race in the World, since 1960.
w The Romans started racing at York in 208AD, the modern era is recorded as starting in 1731.
w The facilities at the Racecourse have been constantly improved, with two new stands in the last decade, Melrose (1989) & Knavesmire (1995), refurbished champagne terrace for 2000 season.
w Forty bars and 20 different food outlets on racedays serve champagne and prawns or fish ‘n’ chips and beer.
w Channel Four TV coverage for 3 hours 11 days a year plus 3-hour long Morning Live shows act as a showcase for the city reaching up to 1,000,000 viewers.
w International syndication rights mean pictures are rebroadcast around over 25 countries.
w Group concessions of 20% for 12+ make the Saturday meetings attractive to coach operators and stag/hen parties whilst the Ebor Festival including Ladies Day are social highlights.
w The course is a charitable trust run to ‘provide quality racing on the Knavesmire in perpetuity’, any revenue is reinvested in to the racecourse by the Committee of Trustees who employ a professional staff.
w In August the Tote-Ebor Festival is a racing and social highlight.
w The profile of race goers is biased to ABC1s (56%), and is 64% male and evenly spread by age; it provides the ideal “All comers” target market.
w It is also a multi-billion industry (£4.3 billion in off-course betting alone) ranging from trainers, stable lads, bookmakers, 59 racecourses, bloodstock studs, equine services and event catering.
w It accounts for over £15 million in sponsorship and contributes £300 million to the Treasury in betting tax.
August Festival
In August the Tote-Ebor Festival is a racing and social highlight. Here are some facts about this magnificent event:
w 250 plus top horses.
w Nearly 80,000 visitors over 3 days.
w Nearly 4,500 people on packages each day.
w Prize money well in excess of £1 million with Juddmonte winning owner collecting over £200,000.
w 21 trophies plus prizes for jockeys/trainers and chocolates for the presenters.
For any further information and your free guide to York please contact: York Visitor Information Centre, Tel: 01904 550099, email: info@visityork.org or visit the website at www.visityork.org
Press contact: Kay Hyde, Visit York, Tel: 01904 554451, email: kh@visityork.org website: www.visityork.org