Owners and Trainers Information

York Racecourse has a proud tradition of staging the very best of thoroughbred racing dating back to 1731 and is committed to investing in prize money and facilities to attract the top racehorses from Britain, Europe and around the world. The 2009 season was another exciting and groundbreaking year for York as one of Europe’s top racecourses. With 17 racedays, including 26 Pattern and Listed races, we very much look forward to welcoming you back to York for the 2010 season.

York is a flat, galloping, left handed racecourse with a wide, long home straight. An experienced and dedicated team demonstrate the very best in turf husbandry to ensure the racing surface is at its best. Recently renovated stables on the back straight accommodate horses in relaxed conditions whilst stable staff can use the modern hostel complex. The specialist equine vets who are present on a raceday are based at a state of the art horse hospital in the nearby city.

As an owner you will receive a letter from us sent out by Weatherbys whenever your horse is entered to run at York. This will set out the arrangements for the day and information about your visit to York.

The latest going will be updated on this website

The latest Going Report is also available on 01904 683932 or on the 24 hour telephone information system by calling 01904 620911 and following the instructions.

Owners and trainers wishing to speak to the Clerk of the Course please use the direct contact numbers given in their five day entry letter.

Should you have any queries, please find all contact details below:

Pre-Racedays:

- William Derby, Chief Executive and Clerk of the Course, 01904 683932. Jane Richardson, PA to Chief Executive, Tel 01904 683932, fax 01904 611071. Alternatively email, jane.richardson@yorkracecourse.co.uk

Racedays:

- Rachel Blizzard (Owners Badge Desk - Tel 01904 639287, fax 01904 659704).

- William Derby (Clerk of the Course) will be on hand in the Parade Ring throughout the race meeting and will be pleased to help you with any requests that you may have.

York Racecourse get Gold Standard

In 2007 York Racecourse joined the prestigious ranks of Racehorse Owner’s Association Gold Standard Award racecourses. The award recognises overall excellence in the raceday experience for owners, their horses and stable staff.

ROA Council member, Dena Arstall, said: “We are delighted to award the Gold Standard to York, a track that consistently displays an exemplary and proactive approach towards owners’ facilities, and the accolade is very well deserved.”

The track is proud to retain the Gold Standard.

It was also a great source of pride to all the York team to be recognised as Racecourse of the Year 2009 in a vote by members of the ROA. Read more about this prestige award here.

Owners and Trainers Car Parking Directions

The Owners & Trainers car park is at the front of Car Park A and is signposted. From the A64 follow the A1036 (Tadcaster Road) north towards York City Centre and then along Knavesmire Road. Access is controlled so please display your ROA/RCA car park pass or your five day entry letter. Please note the traffic plan that will operate on John Smith's Day and the Ebor Festival – details will be available on the website. If you require more information please contact the Racecourse Office on (01904) 620911.

Owners and Trainers Badge Allocation and Car Parking

The Owners and Trainers entrance is located adjacent to the Owners & Trainers Car Park at the northern end of the racecourse enclosures, near the unsaddling area and pre-parade ring. Within this entrance, our Owners and Trainers Manager, Rachel Blizzard, and her team operate the PASS system and to help with any on the day queries. Please remember to bring your swipe card in order to obtain your Owners and Trainers badges. A single owner, partnership or syndicate with a runner declared will be entitled to a total of six complimentary Owners and Trainers County Stand Badges for the raceday. Extra Badges may be purchased from Rachel, subject to availability. Rachel will be on hand to help throughout the meeting with any Owners and Trainers queries and can be contacted after 10am on raceday mornings on 01904 639287, or by fax after 10am on racedays on 01904 659704. Owners and trainers queries before a raceday should be directed to Jane Richardson on 01904 683932 jane.richardson@yorkracecourse.co.uk

Owners & Trainers’ Club

The Owners & Trainers’ Club is situated on the first floor balcony level of the Melrose Stand, the stand closest to the parade ring. The Owners & Trainers’ Club is reserved exclusively for the use of owners and trainers with a runner. It is situated close to both the Weighing Room and the Parade Ring.

The investment programme this winter at York Racecourse involved an improvement to the lower levels of this stand with the Owner’s Lounge increased in size and made lighter and brighter. Work was completed ahead ofthe Dante Festival 2010 and the team look forward to welcoming you to the new facility.

In the Owners & Trainers’ Club drinks and lunch will be served from 11.30 am onwards, please see dining facilities at York Racecourse further down for more information. Complimentary tea and coffee will also be available.

Wheelchair access remains via the original Melrose Stand lift lobby with a second lift access point in the new main entrance. There is a television and DVD for owners and trainers to view the races run on each raceday. A DVD of each race will be placed in these facilities throughout the day. As their role in the raceday is especially valued, access is only for Owners and Trainers with a declared runner on the day.

Pre-Parade and Parade Ring

Both Pre-Parade Ring and Unsaddling Enclosures are located close to the Parade Ring. In 2006/7 we re-surfaced the Pre-Parade Ring with the latest approved rubber block bricking and have re-fenced the area with plastic safety railing. The Parade Ring itself has also been re-laid with the rubber block bricking and the exit on to the course has been re-aligned to aid horses turning left down the track. As a result of feedback, we have added hardstanding rubber block brick areas outside the washdown and sampling unit areas in order to reduce muddy patches, as well as installing two horse showers.

Dining facilities at York Racecourse

In the new Owners & Trainers’ Club a 3-course Chef’s carvery luncheon will be served at a great value price of just £25 (with a two course option at £20). This will operate through the afternoon on a non reserved basis. Afternoon Tea will also be available later in the day.

We do reserve a number of spaces in our other top restaurants reserved at a special price. If this is of interest, please call Annette Wilks on (01904) 638971 for availability.

There may be late availability on a viewing box. If this is of interest please call Nick Johnson to check for availability and price on (01904) 683933.

Stables

The vehicle entrance to the racecourse stables is on Tadcaster Road, opposite the Fox & Roman public house.
To book stables and accommodation for stable staff please fax on 01904 778647 or telephone 01904 709174.

Course Location

York Racecourse lies within a mile of the city centre and is served by convenient road, rail and air access routes, including:

• Fast and frequent trains run from London Kings Cross, taking as little as 1 hour 52 minutes (taxi, regular shuttle bus or a brisk walk to the racecourse).
• Direct trains running from Edinburgh, Manchester and Birmingham.
• Leeds/Bradford International Airport (approximately 40 minutes away) and Manchester International Airport
Light aircraft can be accommodated at Rufforth, only 6 miles from the course.
• Owners approaching by car should follow the A1036 northbound (Tadcaster Road) from the A64 and then turn right into Knavesmire Road. Your ROA car park label or entry letter will act as a car park pass enabling you to park. Please note one-way systems may apply, follow signs for ‘labels’ which will direct you to the appropriate car park.

The racecourse is within a mile of the A1036 York (West) exit of the A64 (sat nav postcode YO23 1EX) Please note sat nav will direct you to Racecourse Road, please instead follow signs for ‘labels’ which will direct you Carpark A. Please tune to local radio (BBC York 103.7FM or Minster FM 104.7) for regular travel updates.

Should you choose to arrive by helicopter please can you contact Helicopter & Aviation Services Ltd on 01427 718800.

DVD of Races

Winners and placed connections receive a complimentary DVD. Owners can watch a DVD re-run of each race in the Owners & Trainers Bar.

Suggested Local Hotels

Middlethorpe Hall Hotel (01904 641241) or click here
Elmbank Hotel (01904 610653) or click here
Holiday Inn (0870 4009085) or click here
York Marriott Hotel (01904 701000) or click here
The Grange Hotel (01904 644744) or click here
Cedar Court Grand Hotel & Spa (0845 4096430) or click here

All these hotels are situated within a short taxi ride or walking distance of the racecourse. For more information go to the York Tourism Bureau.

Any Special Requests

We are always happy to try and help with any special requests. Please contact us in advance if possible. Tel 01904 683932 or e-mail jane.richardson@yorkracecourse.co.uk.
Kay Barron (abvh85@assureweb.com) and Sheila Storer (Sheila.Storer@btopenworld.com) are the ROA representatives at York. Please feel welcome to pass on any comments/suggestions to them with regards the facilities for Owners at York. They will be pleased to help and will liaise with the Chief Executive, William Derby.