York’s two-day Music Showcase weekend on Friday evening and Saturday afternoon (July 28 eve & 29), supported by Sky Bet, combines Pattern race quality action on the track and live performances on the music stage, so it is no surprise that each event has a track record of being the best attended meeting of its type, in the country.

An act that are proud of their Yorkshire roots, The Human League, will headline Friday evening. The band is still fronted by Sheffield residents Philip Oakey, Susan Sulley and Joanne Catherall. Very much committed to playing live the summer of 2023 will see them continuing to delight audiences across the world, from the UK to Europe, South America, the US and beyond. In the UK they have had 6 Top 20 albums and 13 Top 20 singles including “Mirror Man", "(Keep Feeling) Fascination", "The Lebanon" and, of course “Don’t You Want Me”.

After racing on Saturday 29 July, singer songwriter, Craig David, will perform. In total, he has racked up an astounding 23 UK top 40 singles, nine UK top 40 albums, amassed over 5 billion streams worldwide and has achieved multi-platinum status in more than 20 countries around the world in his career. Craig has also received multiple BRIT Award and Grammy nominations, 4 x MOBO Awards, as well as becoming a 3 x Ivor Novello Award winner. 

The only evening fixture of the season at York gets underway at 5pm on Friday with gates opening at 3.30pm.

The highlight of a seven-race card that has prize money of £200,000; is the fourteenth running of a Listed race for fillies and mares, the British Stallion Studs EBF 40th Anniversary Lyric Stakes. On its own, it offers an impressive prize fund of £70,000 and is one of twenty-one contests on the Knavesmire this year supported by The European Breeders’ Fund.

Also featured on a Friday evening year is a handicap contest over five and a half furlongs that demonstrates Sky Bet’s commitment to Yorkshire racing, as both days form part of the Go Racing In Yorkshire Summer Festival, an initiative that links the eight flat courses in the county, over a week of fantastic sport.

Whilst a competitive handicap takes the name of Irish Thoroughbred Marketing, confirming that the minimum value of any race at York this season is £20,000.

On an evening when the course is offering a range of fresh local food to tempt racegoers, two races showcase the range of eateries available in the wider city. The Pearly Cow is a new concept for the City’s discerning diners, being based adjacent to the luxury No1 Guesthouse on Bootham, it offers he very best slow-farmed meats, just-picked plants and sea-fresh seafood cooked over fire or served on ice. From its prime riverside location in the city, Tomahawk Steakhouse and Cocktail bar offers prime Himalayan salt dry-aged steaks, as well as Wagyu and other vegetarian and fish dishes.

Long standing York supporter and business partner in the hospitality sector, eventmasters, once again back a competitive seven-furlong affair.

Saturday’s quality seven-race programme means the prize money for the two days will be close to £500,000. The action starts at 2:05p.m. with the entire card sponsored by Sky Bet – the Leeds based firm who are also the sponsors of the Ebor Handicap at York.

The principal race on Saturday is The Sky Bet York Stakes, with prize money of £125,000; this Group 2 contest is run over the extended one mile and a quarter. Watch for this year’s champion in the richest race of York’s season, the £1,000,000 Juddmonte International on Wednesday 23 August, the Juddmonte colours were carried by Twice Over to double York success.

Also featured on Saturday’s strong card is the likely fastest race of the two days, the Sky Bet Dash. This £65,000 sprint is over six furlongs; the winner may step down in trip to contest the G1 Coolmore Nunthorpe on Friday 25 August, or opt for a furlong longer in the G2 Sky Bet City of York on Saturday 26 August; both showpiece contests offer a £500,000 purse.

Nine giant screens will enable racegoers to enjoy even more of the action from both the track and the stage on both days, as well as following the action from the other big Saturday race meeting at Ascot.

Away from the main stage, there will be music from both Doctor Thirsty and The Monotones. The popular ‘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.