York Looks Forward to Music Showcase Weekend

York Racecourse is looking forward to staging Music Showcase Weekend on Friday evening 24 & Saturday 25 July, part of the Sky Bet Go Racing in Yorkshire Summer Festival.

Craig David presenting TS5, the DJ set enjoyed by Glastonbury crowds, will headline after racing on the Friday evening, when the action on the track sees the Listed EBF Lyric Fillies Stakes as the centrepiece of a six-race card.

Singer-songwriter Tom Grennan will take to the stage on Saturday. An artist who has already secured two UK Number Ones albums, including a host of commercially successful singles such as "This is the Place", "By Your Side" with Calvin Harris, "Remind Me", "All These Nights", "Here" and "How Does It Feel".

On the racecourse itself, the Group 2 Sky Bet York Stakes will be the centrepiece of a seven-race card. A full field is likely to enter the prime betting heat of the afternoon, the valuable Sky Bet Dash, a six-furlong handicap.

The valued support of Sky Bet, Irish Thoroughbred Marketing, eventmasters, European Breeders’ Fund, The Elevator Company and Tomahawk Restaurants means prize money for the two days will be approaching £600,000.

The hope of a warm summer continuing means the lawns and new Sound Garden should prove popular, all have either a view of the track or a giant HD screen.

The same big screens will follow the major action from Ascot and Edgbaston on dedicated televisions around the site.

Musical entertainment from jazz to popular covers, will be found around the Stands including from the Melrose Stage, after racing.

The traditional selfie wall remains a focal point for some, on Saturday the additional 360-selfie camera will offer a free memento of a visit.

Picnics continue to be welcome in the Clocktower Enclosure with freshly made sandwiches. Cash and card payment accepted.

The ‘Punters’ Panel’ takes place prior to racing on both days from the winner’s podium as a preview to the action on each day, while now eight giant screens will provide racegoers with an even closer view of proceedings on the track.

As part of a series of initiatives to get closer to the sport, groups of racegoers will be able to enjoy accompanied, complimentary trips to the round course starts conducted by Robert Earnshaw, a man who won the Gold Cup.

True to York’s reputation, our own Champagne House, Gardet, will be available from £48.50. Other tastes are catered for with an extended range of craft beers including Ebor IPA, a brew created by Theakston just for the racegoers. Both Heineken and Guinness 0.0 as a refreshing, zero alcohol options, with water available on a complimentary basis from all the main bars.