York: racegoers flock to Knavesmire for 64th John Smith’s Cup

Despite wet and thundery weather, the attendees visited in large numbers and made use of the outdoor and indoor facilities at the Knavesmire throughout the day.

The racing started yesterday (July 14) and is set to come to close later today.

A spokesperson for York Racecourse said: “It’s been remarkable.

“We made the best of it from a wet spell at one o’clock.

“People have been able to be out and about. It’s not been cold which has been good.

Racing at the 64th John Smith's Cup (Image: Hannah Ali Photography)

“People seem to be having a good day. There’s been cheers when the winners have come home.”

The spokesperson explained how the racecourse is proud to be celebrating the 64th year of the event and joked: “If we could have booked the Beatles to come and sing When I’m Sixty-Four (we would have).”

A racegoer at the Cup (Image: Hannah Ali Photography)

They added: “We are proud of the connection to John Smith’s just down the road in Tadcaster.”

The spokesperson explained how photo finishes have brought excitement amongst members of the crowd.

This was the case when Pride Of America was crowned the John Smith’s Cup king today.

Racegoers brave the rain (Image: Hannah Ali Photography)

Trained by Amy Murphy, the six-year-old was ridden by apprentice Frederick Larson who got the nod after a tense wait for the photo-finish, with a nose the official winning distance.

Amy has won a Grade One over fences thanks to the popular Kalashnikov and has also tasted Listed success in France, but the win marked the biggest Flat success of her career on home soil.

She said: “I’m absolutely ecstatic, there’s no better feeling than when a horse like him, who takes a lot of training and managing, grabs a big prize like that.

Racing during the Cup (Image: Hannah Ali Photography)

“It’s unbelievable and I’m thrilled for the owners and the whole team.

“This has been his target since March, but he does need a bit of cut in the ground. I couldn’t imagine we were going to get cut in the ground in the middle of July, it was a bit of a worry and no one was doing a bigger rain dance than me.”

Read next:

• Popular York pub on the market as owners bow out after 31 years
• York City snap up Scottish Championship sensation Dipo Akinyemi
• York City optimistic in goalless stalemate against Middlesbrough

Of the wait for the photo to be announced, she added: “It was horrific! You can probably tell from my voice that I’ve probably done a lot of screaming in the last five minutes, but thankfully it’s gone our way.

Hundreds of racegoers flocked to the event (Image: Hannah Ali Photography)

“The owners are my biggest supporters and I’m just thrilled to be able to repay them.

“Today was the target, we’ll just enjoy today and worry about the rest afterwards!”

Racing during the Cup (Image: Hannah Ali Photography)

Frederick said: “I’ve always been grateful for Amy, she’s always supported me since I’ve started riding.”

He added: “Big Saturdays at York is just where you want to be winning, it’s a dream come true.”

Racegoers brave the rain for the 64th John Smith's Cup (Image: Hannah Ali Photography)