Two-Day October Meeting - A Proper Finale

The last chance to enjoy racing at York in 2026 comes on Friday and Saturday (9 and 10 October). With record prize money in excess of £660,000 on offer. In the last decade, the prize money for these two days has more than doubled in value.

There are now three contests with a six-figure purse and every contest offers a minimum of £25,000 to connections.

On Friday, the fifth staging of the European Breeders’ Fund 2yo Series Colts Final offers £100,000, as well as the same purse in highly valuable handicap for three-year-olds backed by regular sponsor at York, William Hill. That will mean a record forty-four races of the York season will have at least a six-figure prize pot.

The feature race of the Saturday meeting is also worth £100,000, the Sky Bet Sprint Trophy, an ultra-competitive sprint handicap. Last year’s victor, Binhareer, continues to represent the William Haggas yard with credit in the famous handicaps.

The Listed Coral Rockingham Stakes, Division, from the same Somerville Lodge operation, is an example of another race which develops horses into contenders for Group races as a three-year-old. The colt has beencampaigned at the highest level this season by the Wathnan team.

The ITV cameras will be at the track for both days, covering three races on each visit.

A special Racing TV Zone on the Roberto Lawn will show all of the action from Newmarket as well as York, letting the expert team share their views with racegoers.

Friday will see the biggest ever Countryside Market. A range of stalls will include those offering jewelry, prints, personalized photographs, handbags, Christmas cards and novelty items for pets and Harry Potter fans!

Friday’s card begins at 1.30pm and blends competitive handicaps with contests to

develop the two-year-olds, as well as honing the talents of apprentice jockeys. Regular

visitors to the city will recognize The Parsonage Country House Hotel & Cloisters Spa at

Escrick who return in support of a race on this day. Completing a day of incumbent

sponsors are the connections of the winning most

horse at York, Copper Knight, who has been in that Winner’s Enclosure on seven occasions

already. Racegoers will hope to clean up in the final handicap of the day, backed by PJ Staffing, the operation that keeps the Knavesmire looking spic ‘n’ span.

Saturday’s quality seven race programme also begins at 1.30pm with all seven races backed by Sky Bet, a brand that supports the investment in prize money across the year on the Knavesmire.

The meeting will also see the conclusion of the season long contests to be top jockey and trainer at York. In the Living North-sponsored jockeys’ race, after a memorable Sky Bet Ebor Festival, William Buick currently leads the way, on 8 winners.

The leaderboard of the Blue Frog Bedding Top Trainer at York is headed by 2024 champion, Andrew Balding, having posted a remarkable twelve victories by the close of the Ebor Festival, five clear of William Haggas whilst Karl Burke again leads the local contenders.

Racegoers will be able to enjoy the popular Monotones as well as the Jazz Band and the popular 360-degree selfie camera and flower walls.

The equine ambassador horses from New Beginnings, represented at this meeting by Scampi (himself a York winner), will make a final appearance on Saturday.

Seven large screens will cover both racing on the Knavesmire and the major contests from Newmarket as part of the Racing TV Zone.

The Punters’ Panel will offer tips before racing on each day.