York Racecourse is preparing for one of its most popular meetings of the season, the John Smith’s Cup weekend which celebrates 49 years of providing great entertainment and one that offers record prize money in 2008.

 

The feature race is always a puzzle to solve for the betting public and over the years they have often got the answer ahead of the bookmakers so producing a spine tingling roar of approval for winning favourites like Foreign Affairs. Celebrating a win with 40,000 fellow racegoers is a rare treat and quite an experience. The £150,000 to be collected by winning connections means a quality field will start the 10 furlong race.

 

The Saturday also sees the John Smith’s Extra Smooth Silver Cup, a race that offers the winner both the majority of a record prize fund of £44,000 and a boost to their value by providing the “black type” that comes with victory in such prestigious contests. Mark the winner as they are likely to reappear in future big races including the contest that stops a nation; the Melbourne Cup in November.

 

On Friday July 11^th, York stages a six race card that includes a Group Three contest again with record prize money, the Cuisine de France Summer Stakes, a Group Three race with record prize money of £65,000. This race is just six furlongs and will be a major attraction for star fillies and mares seeking to add to their value as broodmares by gaining that “black type” entry.

 

York has a wide range of different places to eat and drink; amongst them the Eclipse Restaurant (can be booked on 01904 638971) and Gimcrack Restaurant provide three course options and the refurbished Princess Mary Seafood Bar and Roberto Seafood Bar both offer a tasty treat from the sea.