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Looking forward to Music Showcase Weekend

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On some days we offer a little extra entertainment which is where Music Showcase Weekend comes in; top quality action on both the track and the live music stage.

Music Showcase Evening is the only evening of York’s year on Friday July 24th combining competitive racing with live music from a top class tribute band, the Rollin’ Clones. The European Breeder’s Fund Lyric Stakes is a Listed contest to reward talented fillies whilst the performers on the stage come with rave reviews.

The music on Saturday July 25th will be provided by stars from the phenomena that is the X Factor; ITV audiences in the millions followed by a sell out arena tour prove the entertainment quality of these singers. Eoghan, Austin, Laura and Ruth will headline.

The Sky Bet York Stakes on Saturday is a Group Two race with £100,000 in prize money so it attracts a field from the top stables; Sir Michael Stoute and Saeed bin Suroor have provided recent winners for this all age middle distance contest.

A full field are likely to contest the prime betting heat of the afternoon, the £50,000 Sky Bet Dash, a six furlong handicap landed by Lesson in Humility for Karl Burke last year prior to finishing third in the Golden Jubilee at Royal Ascot this summer.

At the start of the day, it is hoped to repeat the Sky Bet Jockey Dash that will entertain the crowd and raise money for the Injured Jockey’s Fund. A fitting part of the Go Racing in Yorkshire Summer Festival.

For detailed information on admission for this special event please click here.

To advance book tickets, taking advantage of group and early bird discounts click here or alternatively call our bookings team on 01904 620911.

Counting down to the Music Showcase Weekend

York’s two-day ‘Music Showcase’ weekend on Friday evening and Saturday afternoon (July 24 & 25) combines superb action on the track and ‘live’ performances on the music stage when racing has finished by tribute band, ‘The Rollin’ Clones on Friday evening; with four of the stars from ‘The X Factor’ on Saturday - Eoghan, Austin, Laura and Ruth. The quartet of singers captivated television audiences in the millions and followed that up as part of a sell-out arena tour.

The sole evening fixture at York on Friday commences at 6.00 p.m. and the highlight is the second running of a Listed race for fillies and mares, with a total prize fund of £40,000. The European Breeders’ Fund Lyric Stakes over the extended one mile and a quarter is sure to attract the attention of leading owners and trainers, seeking big-race opportunities for their fillies and mares. Sweet Lilly, trained by Mick Channon, won last year’s inaugural running of this race and she represented the yard in Group races.

Also featured on Friday evening is The Sky Bet Supporting The Yorkshire Racing Festival Claiming Stakes over one mile and a half, while three-year-old handicap sprinters take part in the final race, The Tanith Butters Celebration For Breakthrough Breast Cancer Stakes.

Away from the track, the Minster FM Gameshow will also be broadcast from the course prior to racing.

Saturday’s quality seven-race programme, with over £200,000 in prize money, starts at 2-05 p.m. with the entire card sponsored by Sky Bet – one of the leading horseracing, gaming and sports betting companies in the U.K.

The principal race on Saturday is the fourth running of The Sky Bet York Stakes, a £100,000 Group 2 contest, run over the extended one mile and a quarter, won previously by the powerful Newmarket stables of Sir Michael Stoute, Godolphin and John Gosden.

Also featured on Saturday’s strong card is the sixth renewal of The Sky Bet Dash. This £50,000 Heritage Handicap is contested by sprinters over six furlongs. Last year’s winner was Lesson In Humility, trained at Middleham by Karl Burke was the winner last month of a Group 3 sprint at Leopardstown in Ireland and claimed a noteworthy third spot in the Group 1 Golden Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot.

The first dash of the day will be undertaken by jockeys, when the Sky Bet Jockey Dash will see leading riders take part in a foot race across the famous turf; it’s all in a good cause, as Sky Bet will make a generous donation to the Injured Jockeys’ Fund in recognition of the support of the Weighing Room for this fun activity. Malton-based David Allan won last year, and he will be fancied to follow up on Saturday.

Current champion jockey, Ryan Moore leads the way in race to be York’s leading jockey this season in the competition supported by Ecurie 25, the internationally-renowned Supercar Club. As far as the trainers are concerned, Malton-based Richard Fahey is at the head of affairs as he bids to win his fourth Minster Jaguar Top Trainer title at York.

This meeting is part of the 2009 ‘Go Racing in Yorkshire’ Summer Festival, aimed to showcase all that is best regarding racing in the county. There’s a special racecard competition each day of the Festival up to and including the final day at Pontefract on Sunday, with the overall winner receiving a Racing Break in Ireland, including an expenses-paid trip for two to Fairyhouse racecourse and accommodation in a top-class Dublin hotel, courtesy of Ripon Travel.

The trio of giant screens will enable racegoers to enjoy even more of the action on both days, including the big races at Ascot on Saturday. The popular totesport ‘Punter’s Panel’ takes place prior to racing helping racegoers to identify possible winners.

For the best in racing and live music York is the perfect venue.