YorkMix Family Sunday plus special guest popular children's character The Gruffalo

There’s fun for all at the annual YorkMix Family Sunday at York Raceday (Sunday 6 September), complete with approaching £250,000 in prize money for a seven-race thoroughbred card.

The ever-popular children’s character, The Gruffalo, will also make appearances at intervals throughout the afternoon. Since 1999 when the book written by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler first hit our shelves, over 13.5 million copies in more than a hundred languages have been sold. The original tale is of a mouse strolling in a wood and encountering a series of predators culminating in the fictional 'Gruffalo'. Woodland trails, theme park rides, West End shows as well as films and TV adaptations have all delighted families down the years. This September a third book entitled “Gruffalo Granny” is set to enchant fans, old and new.

The feature race, the Listed Starman at Tally Ho Stud Garrowby Stakes alone, offers an impressive £70,000.

The only Sunday of the season sees the return of Pony Racing as young riders take part in the Dragon Studios backed Series.

York Racecourse is proud to be partnering with Racing Welfare - the industry’s human welfare charity and organisers of Malton Open Day - which operates on the morning of Sunday 6 September. The open day offers the chance to go behind the scenes of Malton’s training yards and meet some of the equine stars who will take to the track later in the day. A combined ticket for the two events will be available, at a discounted price, from www.maltonopenday.co.uk.

Those under 18 years of age will be admitted free of charge into all enclosures including Malton Open Day, though the under 16s will need to be accompanied. Continuing from the previous years is the popular offer of a single admission combining both the Grandstand & Paddock Enclosure with the improved Clocktower Enclosure for just £17 on the gate. This will enable racegoers bringing a traditional picnic into the Clocktower Enclosure to enjoy their lunch and then take advantage of the special ‘picnic hamper cloakroom’ and then cross over the track to see the horses close up in the Parade Ring and sample the facilities on the stands side.

Also, for this special family meeting, the County Stand dress code is relaxed, with smart casual being the advice.

The Racing Interactive Zone, based in the Bustardthorpe Development, will offer the chance to ride a virtual racehorse, to try on racing silks, question our experts and enter a colouring competition. Meanwhile, Remy the track’s equine ambassador, a retired racehorse himself, will be waiting to meet racegoers.

A range of activities will form part of the entertainment, in recent years these have included inflatables such the Giraffe Slide and Jungle Run, Sublime Science and perennial favourites, the bouncy castles. Other regulars have been Zorb Football for the more energetic, whilst those wanting a seat will be able to take to the cab of one of the mighty machines from Diggerland. Exact details of the 2026 line up will be confirmed as the raceday approaches.

‘Tommo’ – well-known broadcaster, Derek Thompson will share his knowledge of the sport. Listen out for his racing guide and be ready to say hello and see yourself on the big screens as he roams the stands.

The action on the track begins around 1p.m. with a pony race, showcasing the talents of the next generation of riders.

Racing under rules starts at c1.40pm.

Three-course Sunday lunches are being served from noon or you might want to enjoy a fresh sandwich on one of the many lawns; whatever your culinary choice, a great afternoon awaits.