Your Press
Get in touch: send your photos, videos, news & views by texting YORK to 80360 or send an email »
Racing ahead at city course
1:20pm Tuesday 13th May 2008
TOMORROW marks the first day of racing in York this year with the May Festival.
Thousands of people are expected to descend on the city for the festival bringing with them an added boon for York's publicans, hoteliers and restaurateurs.
The three-day event kicks off with the £100,000 Group 2 race The Duke of York Hearthstead Homes Stakes and the £60,000 Group 3 race, the Tattersalls Musidora Stakes.
With the forecast for sunshine, racecourse bosses are hoping for a bright start to this year's season at the north's premier racecourse.
Marketing manager James Brennan said everyone associated with the course was looking forward to the festival.
He said: "It's good for the team that they have had the sun on their backs when painting fences and gates and laying decking.
"When you only race in the summer you spend six months without the horses here so it's an exciting time for everyone.
"We often describe it to people as being like the week before Christmas. Everyone's busy, but there are lots of smiles on people's faces and you just hope people come on the day and enjoy themselves."
Mr Brennan said ticket sales have been brisk over the last fortnight, but they got off to a slow start, possible because of the early Easter which threw people out of kilter.
In addition, because it is a midweek meeting it is unlikely to break any records for attendance as people need to book days off work if they want to attend.
But Mr Brennan said: "While attendance is important to us we just concentrate now on ensuring those who do come have the best day possible."
He said in all the races there are horses worth noting including the favourite for the Oaks, Dar Re Mi, which is owned by Andrew Lloyd Webber and will be running in the Musidora.
Two-year-olds will also be racing and those who follow betting will have the chance to see how they perform with a view to looking out for them at subsequent meetings.
Your Say YourPress
Cruddass is a muppett, says...
10:34pm Tue 13 May 08
In my opinion, York Races is great, and I support this story. Yes, the races cause a bit of bother, but a hell of a lot less than a football match with them kind of numbers attending.
chunks, York says...
5:38pm Tue 13 May 08
Press watcher wrote:Press watcher, your entire comment seems to be based on things I have not said. I have NOT said that the article should not have appeared - it should, but what I HAVE said is that the article should be balanced rather than partisan. The reference to the "added boon" and indeed the whole article does not give a balanced view, in that race days cause very real problems to the residents of York. Indeed, you accept yourself that race days create substantial problems by your reference to the the "countless court reports in The Press."
"..in view of the fact that The Press sponsors a race day, it of course has a vested interest (and indeed a conflict of interest) when it comes to reporting race based matters..."
Forgive me, but I thought a local newspaper was there to report all aspects of life in its community. I think the fact that over the next few days around 40,000 people will flock to the city - and national TV will cover the event - would merit a mention in any regional daily. As for The Press sponsoring a meeting that is attended by local people, and always a great family day out, what on earth is wrong with that? As for not reporting the down side of the races (and this applies to all courses not York), I've read countless court reports in The Press detailing cases where offenders have been dealt with. How is that a "biased" stance? Like it or not, it is a big event for the city and should be featured in the local newspaper. Live with it.
However, as we both know the "countless court reports" do not feature on the news section of this website, and they are given a minor spot in the newspaper itself. As such, pro race articles like this are promoted above those that paint a less rosey image of racedays.
Further, I have NOT said that there is anything wrong with The Press sponsoring a race day, however it should then make doubly sure that when it does report on the races that it does so objectively and responsibly.
Sadly, most people in York just have to "live with it".
Press watcher, if you do wish to respond to this post then do so. If you choose to do so please ensure that you not repeat your earlier mistake of attributing to me comments that I have not made.
Finally Press watcher, did you write the original article?
Press watcher, says...
4:19pm Tue 13 May 08
Forgive me, but I thought a local newspaper was there to report all aspects of life in its community. I think the fact that over the next few days around 40,000 people will flock to the city - and national TV will cover the event - would merit a mention in any regional daily. As for The Press sponsoring a meeting that is attended by local people, and always a great family day out, what on earth is wrong with that? As for not reporting the down side of the races (and this applies to all courses not York), I've read countless court reports in The Press detailing cases where offenders have been dealt with. How is that a "biased" stance? Like it or not, it is a big event for the city and should be featured in the local newspaper. Live with it.
hustler, York says...
3:54pm Tue 13 May 08
marky, york says...
3:21pm Tue 13 May 08
drunk T*****S in suits
causing haoc in our city
chunks, York says...
2:27pm Tue 13 May 08
However, in view of the fact that The Press sponsors a race day, it of course has a vested interest (and indeed a conflict of interest) when it comes to reporting race based matters.
Your sayYourPress
Register for a FREE York Press account and you can have your say on today's news and sport by adding comments on articles we publish. The best comments may even get published in the paper.
Please register now or sign in to continue.
James Brennan, marketing manager at York Racecourse, sweeps up in preparation for the May Festival which starts tomorrow.
A member of the racecourse staff fixes the seating around the winners' enclosure.
In this section
- Fundraisers go to great heights
- Parents’ plea for death case driver
- Fierce competition for arts event places
- Firefighters’ anger over arson attacks in town
- In memory of Kath
- Success of road campaign hailed
- Police launch full inquiry into Challenor Property Developments
- Plotting victory in Fawkes fight
- Frock star..
- Vicars ready 'to quit' over women bishops
What's On Live Travel YourPress
Your Local Services
Local Information
Enter your postcode, town or place name
Homes
- 3 bedroom , Tadcaster, £204,950, Park Row Properties - York
- 4 bedroom House - detached, York, £272,950, Park Row Properties - York
- 4 bedroom , York, £214,999, Park Row Properties - York
- 2 bedroom Bungalow, York, £249,999, Park Row Properties - York
- 3 bedroom House - detached, York, £295,000, Park Row Properties - York
- 3 bedroom Bungalow, York, £389,995, Park Row Properties - York
Gardener, NZ says...
12:15am Wed 14 May 08