10 Reasons to Visit York Racecourse

A day at the races can be a great day out for people of all ages. Whether you are fanatical about racing already, love horses or you enjoy a good day out with friends, we are confident you will enjoy your day at York.

1. Superb horses

Thoroughbred horses are a magnificent sight to see, with racing offering one of the best opportunities to see them close up. Visit the parade ring to watch the horses before a race, pick a winner, watch the jockeys mount and see them canter down to the start. We have Public Address speakers in specific zones around the paddock relaying our customised York Television service where our expert panel evaluate the runners. Place your bet and be up against the rails to hear the sound of hooves thundering past and see the horses flash by.

2. Celebrate a special occasion with brand name champagne at a great value price

Celebrating an anniversary, birthday or retirement? A day at the races offers a chance to celebrate in style. There is a wide range of restaurants that you can book in advance. Do look at this website for more details or call our hospitality team on (01904) 638971.

York is pleased to offer brand name champagne and at every meeting we offer a "Champagne of the meeting" for under £30 a bottle.

For hen and stag do's a raceday gives a pattern to your day and provides the chance to have something to eat and drink together. Click here for more information on our range of special offers for groups and packages that make the day’s organisation a little easier whilst offering savings too for the 2012 season!

3. Early bird and group discounts on all days

On all racedays here at York we have a range of offers. Advance book for County Stand and Grandstand & Paddock up to two weeks before the raceday of your choice to take advantage of early bird discounts. There is a discount in both County Stand and Grandstand & Paddock for groups of six or more too. With groups booking 20 badges or tickets in advance for County Stand and Grandstand & Paddock receiving 1 free admission.

4. Families, young racegoers and children

Here at York, when accompanied by an adult, under 16’s go free into any enclosure. In County Stand junior prices also apply, with those under 20 receiving discounts on production of age identification (under 22 for the Ebor Festival). Those over 65 also receive a discount for the Grandstand & Paddock enclosure.

York is committed to welcoming and encouraging the next generation of racegeors. Click here for our section on children and families.

5. Free car parking

For all meetings there is free car parking here at York Racecourse. We have ample parking facilities with the majority of car parking being only a short walk from the stands. There are also quick and convenient public transport links to and from the course. Click here to visit our ‘Getting Here’ guide.

6. Complimentary racecard in the County Stand

For all other enclosure these are available to buy at £3.00. The racecard holds much more information than the runners and riders for the races. You can learn more about the featured race; its history, successful trainers and runners. There is often a quiz or two to entertain and profiles of top trainers and jockeys. You will normally find the answer to any question you have on a raceday here, but if not, any member of the racecourse team will be happy to help.

7. Excellent Stands and Facilities

York has an array of stands and facilities for racegoers which combine both charm, modern infrastructure and great viewing. Click here for our interactive course guide.

The County Stand includes access to the Ebor Stand which was opened in 2003. This award-winning, £20m, five storey stand includes restaurants, bars and facilities with extensive views across the Knavesmire. Alongside the modern Ebor Stand is the Listed Old County Stand. Built in 1865 this Victorian stand has a barbers pole façade and the charming Gimcrack Restaurant. Completing the County Stand facilities are the ever-popular champagne terraces overlooking the parade ring, the destination Moet et Chandon Pavilion, the Verve Clicquot Lawn and the Melrose Stand adjacent to the Parade Ring.

The Grandstand & Paddock enclosure is dominated by the impressive Knavesmire Stand. Built in 1996 this award-winning, modern stand offers unrivalled track viewing, bars and facilities for racegoers. Behind the Knavesmire Stand is an extensive array of terraces, food outlets and Pavilions for racegoers to enjoy the atmosphere of a raceday at York. The Bustardthorpe Lawn allows racegoers to enjoy track views, take a seat and make use of the extensive catering options on our carefully manicured lawns.

The Course Enclosure offers one of the best value views in British racing. The sloping lawns from in the final furlong to the winning post with the dramatic backdrop of the York stands is a stunning spot to view racing on a pleasant summer afternoon. This area comes alive on a sunny afternoon when friends and family enjoy a picnic and the challenge of finding a winner.

8. Packages combining entry, food and drink

Our popular range of special offers on food and drinks are now available to purchase online.

There is a range of options whether you wish to book for the County Stand or Grandstand & Paddock, including the return of favourites from last year such as the County Carvery or the Knavesmire Meal Deal.

Each one is designed to save you money on the standard price of food and a drink as well as providing you with convenience of planning and paying for elements of your day in advance.

You can upgrade any existing bookings by logging in to your account. Please note that all packages are subject to availability.

9. The Welcome to Yorkshire Ebor Fesitval

Our oldest, richest, fastest, and most famous races provide sporting excellence combined with fashion and fun over four fabulous days.

The traditional highlight of the season on the Knavesmire in August.

The prestigious Group One Juddmonte International is the highlight of the opening day, a contest ranked in the top ten middle distance contests in the world and won in 2009 by Sea The Stars, considered by many as the best thoroughbred for a generation. This year's winner was Twice Over, a four-time crowned Group One winner.

For many racegoers the opening day of the festival is the day when they catch up with friends and look forward to a week of shared enjoyment. Form followers will watch the sportingbet.com Great Voltigeur with particular interest as this York Group Two has already produced thirteen winners of the final Classic of the year, the St. Leger. The racecourse team looks forward to this day and everything is fresh and exciting.

On all four days there will be a real sense of fashion, plenty of hats and sharp suits mixed with those sporting more relaxed summer clothing, however for many there remains an extra special feel about Thursday as it is Ladies Day, complete with the chance to win a trip to Dubai courtesy of Marriott Hotels. The sporting action attracts the best fillies as the Group One Darley Yorkshire Oaks and Jaguar Cars Lowther Stakes are highly treasured titles.

Friday offers the chance to race into the weekend, perhaps enjoying a short break in historic York or the wider White Rose county (click here for more information on staying in Yorkshire). The fastest race of the season, the Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes, often decides the accolade of leading sprinter and is a blur of colour that needs to be seen and heard to be believed. The smile on the faces of connections of Borderlescott, the 2007/2008 dual champion, trained locally by the Bastiman family is one of the great memories of recent years. Last year’s race saw Sole Power take the title as a surprise 100-1 winner!

The feature race of the Saturday is the Betfred Ebor, the oldest, probably most famous race at York and the richest handicap in Europe. The excitement that this famous handicap generates has been constant since the 1840s; Mudawin a winner at over 100-1, Sergeant Cecil, a victor who became horse of the year, Purple Moon who landed a nationwide gamble and then headed down under and very nearly became the first British trained winner of the Melbourne Cup - and that’s just in the last decade! The buzz about the racecourse on Ebor day is infectious as groups of friends enjoy, relax and hopefully unravel the puzzle to find the winner of the Betfred Ebor.

For lots of great ideas on planning your next break in Yorkshire visit www.yorkshire.com.

10. Locally Sourced Great Value Food

At York choose from countless places to eat and drink to suit your own raceday. We have a range of advance booked facilties to choose from each offering something different to your day. Look at this website for more details or call our hospitality team on (01904) 638971.

For the 2012 season we have a range of meal deal packages enabling you to save on entry, food and drink for the season.

Visit our raceday food and drink section which highlights the full range of options that are available on a raceday featuring everything from a quick snack through to 3-course luxury dining.