York Racecourse has confirmed that its famous racing surface is due to get one of its most significant overhauls since racing started on the Knavesmire in 1731 and as a consequence the racecourse plans to stage a four day Ebor Festival in August 2008.

 

In plans which were submitted to the City of York Council last week, the course confirmed it is set to undertake a major project to improve the performance and consistency of the racing surface at York. These plans involve three elements. Firstly to install a comprehensive drainage scheme throughout to allow better management of the track, thus reducing risk of abandonments and improving conditions, particularly in excessively rainy periods or periods of drought. Secondly, to widen and re-grade the south bend which will allow more options for producing fresh ground with rail movements and to improve the camber around the home bend. In the final element of the scheme, which racecourse chiefs hope to commence in September 2008, is a plan to improve the surface of the track around the inside of the racecourse used by the ambulance and vets on a raceday and racecourse maintenance vehicles.  It will also provide an all-weather alternative for joggers and walkers on the Knavesmire.

 

As a result of these works an exciting plan to hold a four day Ebor Festival has been submitted to the racing authorities and is being considered by them as part of the full 2008 fixture review process, with a formal announcement due in July of this year.

 

Commenting on the plans, the Chairman of the York Race Committee, Nicholas Wrigley said; “We are keen to improve every aspect of the racecourse and the actual track is at the very heart of our operation.  The current racing surface has served us well and has been host to many famous contests; with the recent improvement in turf technology, drainage and irrigation, we want to ensure we can compete at the highest level and continue to attract the best horses to race at York.  The works to achieve this commence in autumn 2008 and as a result give us a wonderful opportunity to stage a four day Ebor Festival in August 2008 from Tuesday to Friday.  We plan to invest record prize money and want racegoers to enjoy the first ever four day Ebor Festival.  It is yet more exciting times at York.”

 

Subject to the various formal approvals, the racecourse is seeking to adapt its 2008 fixture list to accommodate the schedule of the drainage works in the autumn; the intention is to retain the full complement of 15 days racing between the May Festival and four day Ebor Festival in August 2008.  This will leave the project team sufficient time to conduct the works before the 2009 May Festival gets the following season underway.

 

William Derby, Chief Executive and Clerk of the Course, said: “Once we decided to make these improvements to the track we began discussions with other racecourses about swapping our autumn fixtures for 2008 and the possibility of a four day Ebor Festival emerged.  Paramount in our thinking was our desire to ensure that the quality of the race programme and racing surface at the Ebor Festival was not diluted.  By moving to a six race programme each day we will have the opportunity to stage three extra races.  These are planned to be the Group Three Strensall from our September Meeting, a high quality nursery handicap that was a feature of the Ebor Festival until last year, and a brand new feature handicap.”

 

The details of the four day Ebor Festival will be developed in conjunction with the racing industry and partners such as the City of York Council and Channel 4 Racing.  However, Mr Derby set out the plan for the main races, saying: ”We’re proud of the depth of quality in the Ebor Festival and believe the switch to four days will allow us to make even more of our famous race programme.  We intend to continue to open the Ebor Festival 2008 on the Tuesday with our flagship contest, the Group One Juddmonte International; the Wednesday is famous for being Ebor Day and will continue to feature the totesport Ebor; Thursday is Ladies Day so the Group One Darley Yorkshire Oaks joins the Jaguar Cars Lowther as the fillies take centre stage; the Coolmore Nunthorpe, the UK’s only Group One five furlong sprint, will therefore be a thrilling climax on the Friday to both the Ebor Festival and the 2008 season. The balance of the week will include the three further Group Twos – the Ladbrokes Great Voltigeur, the Ireland Gimcrack and the Weatherbys Insurance Lonsdale Cup, two Group Threes – the Acomb and Strensall, three Listed contests and the £300,000 St Leger Yearling Stakes.”

 

Summarising the reason for the changes to the 2008 season William Derby concluded: “The quality of the racing surface is one of our key assets.  By investing in the track we will be able to improve the performance and consistency of the racing surface, particularly during excessively rainy periods or periods of drought.  This will help us to consistently produce a top class surface for the best thoroughbreds in the world to come and compete at York.  It is a further step in York’s development to be one of the finest racecourses in the world.”

  

2008  Provisional Fixtures^#

May Festival                       Wednesday May 14^th

 

Spring Weekend                 Friday May 30^th               (transfer from Catterick)

                                              Saturday May 31^st        (transfer from Musselburgh)

 

June Meeting                      Friday June13th

(Timeform)                          Saturday June 14^th

 

John Smith’s Cup               Friday July 11th

 

Music Showcase                Friday evening July 25^th*
                                              Saturday July 26^th

 

Ebor Festival                      Tuesday August 19^th

^* The evening meeting is subject to separate application to the racing authorities

^# The fixture list will be confirmed in July 2007 following the appropriate reviews by the racing authorities