ROYAL Ascot at York was hailed as "outstanding" by the Duke of York after more than 50,000 racegoers created a modern-day record on Knavesmire.

He spoke at a glittering reception held in the Mansion House to honour the achievements of the Evening Press and City of York Council York Community Pride winners. He praised the newspaper for organising the event.

Just minutes after leaving Day Three of the racing festival, he said: "This is one of the most outstanding race meetings that I have ever attended."

"The ability to hold Royal Ascot away from Ascot and the style that you have done it so magnificently is wonderful."

The Duke joined civic leaders, along with Community Pride winners and sponsors, at yesterday's reception where he spent nearly an hour chatting to guests.

After asking winners of our campaign about their work in the community and why they had won awards, he said: "I would like to congratulate everybody for this excellent idea of community pride.

"Listening to the various different things that you have each done that enhance and improve the community is outstanding.

"I'd like to say thank you to the Evening Press for their facilitation of an event and an award system such as this.

"I'd like to wish you every success as you continue this process."

Brenda Mackfall, whose group the Smile And A Song Trio picked up the Charity Fundraiser of the Year award at last year's Community Pride awards, said the Prince had been very interested to hear about the money the group raised.

"He was wonderful," she said. "He asked such nice questions - he seemed to know exactly the right questions to ask."

Meanwhile, Royal Ascot attendances smashed through the 50,000 barrier as Gold Cup Day brought the largest crowd York Racecourse has ever seen.

In total 50,510 turned out for Ladies' Day, and Ascot chiefs were delighted with the way the city's traffic plan coped with 10,000 more racegoers than on Wednesday.

Nick Smith, Ascot's head of public relations, said: "The Yorkshire Course enclosure was sold out today for the first time, along with the Grandstand, so the 50,000 barrier was broken and crowds for the remainder of the week will be in excess of 50,000.

"This is by far the biggest crowd that York racegoers have ever seen and we think that the traffic plan coped very well, given that the crowd took such a leap since Tuesday."

Ascot also revealed that Tote on-course betting turnover burst through the £1 million mark on Wednesday, with £1,076,609 taken at the course.

There are about 400 Tote terminals in action at York, compared with 620 at Ascot.

Updated: 11:13 Friday, June 17, 2005