YORK Racecourse is ready to open its doors again for the 'June meeting'.

Starting on Friday, the two day meeting includes the Macmillan Charity Raceday on Saturday which has raised over £7m since being established in 1971.

The principal race on Saturday is The Catherine Kinloch Paver Memorial Macmillan Charity Stakes, which is run in memory of the inspirational local shoe retailer, Cathy Paver, who died earlier this year.

One of Britain’s richest sprint handicaps for three-year-olds, it offers prize money of £100,000.

The roll of honour in this six furlong dash includes top sprinters such as Cadeaux Genereux and Sheikh Albadou.

Since 2012, a Listed race has also featured on the Saturday racing programme and The Ganton Stakes, over one mile, offers record prize money of £50,000.

The meeting will end with the 'Best Western Hotels & Macmillan Ride of their Lives' which offers eleven supporters an opportunity to take part in a nine furlong race around the famous Knavesmire.

Each has pledged at least £3,000 to the charity and include North Yorkshire housewife Jo Ford who twice shaken off cancer and recently recovered from back surgery following injury and disease affecting her spine.

Racing on Friday starts at 1.50pm and the feature race is the EBF Breeders Series Fillies' Handicap Stakes that offers £30,000 in prize money .

Racing on Saturday begins at 1.55pm with the 29th running of The Queen Mother’s Cup, the richest race for lady amateur riders in Britain and a contest won by The Princess Royal in 1988.

The winning jockey is also rewarded with their own weight in G.H. Mumm champagne.

For tickets and more information call 01904 620911 x225.