Family Raceday 2010: York backing a winner with Press raceday (From York Press)

Family Raceday 2010: York backing a winner with Press raceday

8:50am Saturday 4th September 2010 in

• Skip social links
• Print
• Email
• Comments(0)

York Racecourse chief executive and clerk of the course William Derby is excited once again to host The Press Family Raceday, as he tells STEVE CARROLL.

IT’S one of the biggest family days in the country. Close to 200,000 spectators have enjoyed its unique atmosphere over the last decade and they are all set to do it again on Knavesmire tomorrow, as the bouncy castles and the funfair take the same stage as a host of thoroughbred athletes.

For York chief executive William Derby, The Press Family Raceday is something a bit different.

It brings a different crowd from the purists who enjoy the May Meeting or the Group 1 brilliance of the Welcome To Yorkshire Ebor Festival.

It is more relaxed and sociable than the massive Saturdays which bring in huge record-breaking crowds.

For that reason, it is an event they enjoy staging.

“It has a family feel and we put a lot of emphasis behind the different things going on – as well as the seven races,” Derby said.

“This year we are part of an initiative for pony racing so, at 1pm, there will be two pony races for youngsters. The idea behind that is to get more children engaged and involved in the sport.

“It’s very successful in Ireland and they have got a very good track record of producing jockeys and, hopefully, out of this series will emerge – in the future – a top British jockey. They are six furlong races.

“We have retired greyhounds coming from Owlerton Stadium, we have got face-painting and a free ice cream with the racecard. There’s a bouncy castle and retired racehorses, along with Peppa Pig and George.”

And don’t forget the racing, of course.

The Press Family Raceday has always been kind to North Yorkshire trainers who have won around half the Sunday contests, and it has also provided a rare opportunity for smaller yards, the kind that don’t feature on Ebor Handicap or Dante Stakes day, to have a runner on the famous Knavesmire straight.

“It’s the richest-ever card we have staged on the Sunday, certainly since I have been here,” Derby added. “It’s some £77,000 and no race is less than £10,000 and it attracts a lot of local trainers.

“There are a mix of smaller trainers and the more familiar names. It’s a class different from our race meeting at Ebor. That’s good and that’s variety.

“There are lots of different elements to make it an enjoyable day for the family. I don’t think there’s a bigger family day at any other racecourse. We are proud of our relationship with The Press and the day works very well.”

Ticket details

Tickets for The Press Family Raceday are available by phoning York Racecourse on 01904 620911 or by visiting www.yorkracecourse.co.uk – or simply turn up on the day.

Under-16s go free if accompanied by an adult. For adults, entrance to the county stand costs £24, the grandstand and paddock is £13 and the course enclosure is £6.

The dress code for the county stand has been relaxed, so men will not be required to wear a jacket, collar and tie.

Gates open at 11.15am. The first race is at 1pm and the last at 5.20pm.

Donor campaign

CROWDS at The Press Family Raceday will get the chance to save a life as well as enjoying a raft of fun activities.

We will be encouraging racegoers to take the chance to sign up to the Organ Donor Register, to help prevent tens of thousands of needless deaths across the country.

Staff from The Press and York Hospital will be promoting our Lifesavers campaign.