The 48th running of The John Smith’s Cup – Britain’s longest continuous commercially- sponsored flat race – tops a quality seven-race programme at York on Saturday (July 14), the second day of the early July Meeting on the Knavesmire and one widely regarded as the informal party highlight of the year. 

 

Always one of Europe’s most significant, competitive and valuable middle-distance handicap contests, this year’s race already has its place in the rich history of the contest secure as it is set to be the first ever run over nine furlongs rather than the ten furlongs of its forty-seven predecessors. The reason for the change is the recent unprecedented rainfall on York which has left the back straight waterlogged and led to the slightly shorter distance for this race which offers a total prize fund of £150,000. As usual, the winning owner will get to display the specially-commissioned Wedgewood perpetual challenge trophy. 

 

The weather has also disrupted the running of the long distance John Smiths Extra Smooth Silver Cup; it is hoped that this race can be made a part of the York programme on Saturday July 28^th, but for now it has been replaced by a quality contest for sprinters over the seven furlong course.

 

Commenting on the changes, William Derby Chief Executive and Clerk of the Course said: “Like many outdoor events, racing is having a difficult time during this unprecedented weather and so we have decided to act now in order to give our John Smith's meeting every chance of going ahead. We had unprecedented rainfall in June of 194mm which is the highest for any single month according to our records and we have had a further 40mm in the first six days of July. This is exceptional conditions and has caused concern for us and the wider region. We are grateful for the support of the both the HRA Racecourse Inspectorate and the race planning team at BHB for their help in adjusting the race programme for two races each day.”

 

Confirming them as the biggest commercial sponsors of UK racing, Saturday’s other race titles also draw attention to the best-known brand of Tadcaster brewers, John Smith’s, races such as The John Smith’s Cask Handicap Stakes (one mile), The John Smith’s Extra Cold Handicap Stakes (six furlongs), The John Smith’s ‘Premier Club’ Stakes (a nursery handicap for two-year-olds over five furlongs), The John Smith’s Maiden Stakes (two-year-olds – six furlongs) and The John Smith’s ‘No Nonsense Racing’ Maiden Fillies’ Stakes (three and four-year-olds – seven furlongs).

 

The feature race was first held in 1960, when Fougalle was the inaugural winner on the Knavesmire, the race has produced many dramatic moments over the years and has become a major betting heat of the summer. Last season’s winner, Fairmile, was given one of the coolest rides in the history of the race by the then seventeen-year-old Adam Kirby, the youngest jockey to claim the famous title. It is also the biggest prize landed to date by Fairmile’s trainer, Walter Swinburn, the former Derby-winning rider.

 

Racing on Friday (July 13) offers a great chance to relax into the weekend as it begins at 2.15 p.m. and the programme features The Cuisine de France Summer Stakes, a Group 3 sprint contest over six furlongs for fillies and mares, offering prize money of £50,000. This race forms the backdrop for the annual charity day in support of Caravan – the National Grocers Benevolent Fund which exists to provide financial aid for those people who have served in the grocery industry. The Yorkshire branch of the charity is once again responsible for Friday’s fund-raising activities, which also involves four other sponsored races – The John West Tuna Stakes (a handicap race over nine furlongs), The Mr. Kipling Exceedingly Good Stakes (a handicap contest for three-year-old stayers over one mile), while two-year-olds take part in the opening race, The Hovis Maiden Stakes over seven furlongs. The concluding race on Friday is The Fit as a Butcher’s Dog Handicap Stakes, a contest for sprinters over five furlongs supported for the third year by Butcher’s Pet Care Ltd.

 

The Hearthstead Homes Stakes (a handicap contest over seven furlongs) completes the line up for the day, sponsored by the Leeds-based local and national house builders who are regular supporters of racing at York.

 

Having ridden three winners on the final day of the May Festival, Tom Queally leads the way in The Revolution Bar Award for the top jockey this season at York, while Tim Easterby, Barry Hills and Kevin Ryan have each recorded two winners in the battle to secure The Minster Jaguar Trophy, presented to the leading trainer on the Knavesmire in 2007.

 

A number of giant totesport screens will enable racegoers to enjoy even more of the action on both days, along with the racing from Newmarket’s July Meeting on Friday, while the popular punter’s panel held prior to racing on the winners’ podium will preview the card on both days.

 

Saturday is traditionally one of the most popular days of the year on the Knavesmire, racing starts at 2.05 p.m. and racegoers are advised to arrive early from when the gates open at 11.15 a.m.

 

The major raceday traffic plan used last season and developed for Royal Ascot at York will be in place for Saturday and so racegoers are advised to approach the course from the South via the A64 and to note the £5 per car parking fee. Many racegoers chose to spend the weekend in the roman city and so take the chance to stroll from the city centre. Others take advantage of York being a mainline rail station and then use the regular shuttle bus service. Click here for further information(pdf)

 

The stage is set for a thrilling early July Meeting at York.