This figure has been reached by a study at the Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research at Shefield Hallam University.

Andrew Denton, who works for the county’s tourist board Welcome to Yorkshire, says the study showed how valuable the racing industry is for the local economy.

“They also took into account, bloodstock, point-to-point and off-course spend by race-goers and those attending racecourses for events such as conferences and exhibitions,” Mr Denton said.

“The result was that racing associated with the nine courses – Beverley, Catterick, Doncaster, Pontefract, Redcar, Ripon, Thirsk, Wetherby and York – was calculated to be worth £228m.

“This is the first time Yorkshire has had such a detailed picture of its racing industry and it dwarfs the previous figure associated with racing in Yorkshire – £44m which was attributed to the value of York racecourse on the city of York in another independent study conducted by the city’s university.”

Welcome To Yorkshire’s chief executive, Gary Verity, feels that “horse racing is part of the lifeblood of Yorkshire”.

“This report illustrates not only how important the racing industry is to our county but the future potential of racing in Yorkshire,” he said.

“We are the home of horseracing in the UK, and that is why we are working closely with Go Racing in Yorkshire and all the racecourses to ensure that when people think about going racing for a day or a weekend, they think about coming to Yorkshire.”

Simon Channon, chairman of Go Racing in Yorkshire, commissioned the report.

“These findings confirm that racing matters to Yorkshire” Mr Channon said.

“We’re delighted we can show our existing sponsors the true value of the sport which they are backing, and it will be enormously helpful that Yorkshire racing can demonstrate such a positive impact on the economy when we seek to broaden our support base in years to come.”

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There’s no doubt that one race in particular is sparking massive public interest, the 2011 Sussex Stakes.

The one mile contest is always a favourite on the English racing calendar but with a virtual match race between two in form champions this could be the biggest one yet.

The unbeaten Frankel will take on the barnstorming Canford Cliffs after they both completed a successful showing at Ascot.

It continues a string of recent battles, all of which have lived up to the expectations of punters and delivered some wonderful spectacles.

The likes of Rewilding running down So You Think in the Prince of Wales Stakes after he left for home with more than 3 furlongs remaining.

The comeback when So You Think bounced back to beat Workforce in the Coral Eclipse Stakes.

Even at the start of the carnival when Canford Cliffs himself overcame the French star Goldikova in the opening event.

At Goodwood on Wednesday July 25 though the stage is set for potentially the best one yet, it could well be history in the making and go down as one of the greatest ever in UK racing history.

To put into perspective just how good these runners are, both are being touted as the best horses every for their respective trainers.

That’s no easy feat given  one belongs to Richard Hannon and the other Sir Henry Cecil.

Between the pair they’ve been training for almost a full century.

Canford Cliffs is the more proven performer, his wins have come at open class level for years now, in fact he’s been a champion during the last three Royal Ascot carnivals.

That’s not to say he’s showing any signs of slowing up though, his turn of foot is stronger than ever and there’s no doubt he’ll run out a super strong final furlong.

Hannon doesn’t shy away from spruiking his horse either, he knows he’s good and he’s willing to tell just about anyone who asks.

“He’s a brilliant horse, something quite extraordinary. He’s got so much class. His win at Ascot last month, when he beat Goldikova, summed it up really.”

“On the day, nothing would have beaten him,” Hughes said.

Against him though is the up and coming three-year-old Frankel, he’s rated alongside Australian super mare Black Caviar as the best in the world and he’s yet to taste defeat.

It’s not just the fact he’s winning either, it’s the way he’s doing it with massive gaps between him and the field shaming his rivals.

No race showed this better than the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket.

Jockey Tom Queally immediately took him to the front and at the halfway point it was as good as game over as he strode 15 lengths clear.

The final winning margin was six lengths but you get the feeling it could have been more if they had wanted to.

Having said that he did show a little sign of weakness in his last start, that’s if you can find any weakness in another Group 1 win.

In the St James Palace Stakes he once again went to the front early and set up a big lead as he turned into the straight.

He did begin to labour about a furlong form home though and that will give the Canford Cliffs camp a fair bit of confidence, especially given their horse has such good closing speed.

With that in mind the true battle in the 2011 Sussex Stakes is the battle of tactics.

It’s seems unlikely Frankel will be sent so far from home again however at the same time they may not want to have Canford Cliffs too close either.

Timing is absolutely everything for both horses and in the end it could well come down to which jockey gives the better ride on the day.

Whatever happens you can guarantee a fascinating race and one which could be considered one of the classic mile events for decades to come.

Chose your team, whether it be the unbeaten young upstart or the proven seasoned performer and get behind them in the 2011 Sussex Stakes.

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The day will start with the Group 3 Coral Charge at 2:00PM, a 5 furlong 6 yard race for 3 year olds and up. Triple Aspect is the favourite at 7/2 to win, who last had a second place finish in a slightly longer Listed race and won the race last year. Kingsgate Native follows at 5/1, coming down in competition after some mixed results in Group 1 affairs.

Later will be the feature race of the day, the Group 1 Coral Eclipse at 3:10PM. This is a 1 mile 2 furlong and 7 yard race for 3 year olds and up, and a part of the British Champions’ Series. So You Think is the favourite at 8/11 to win, coming from a close second place in the Group 1 Prince of Wales’s Stakes. Workforce follows at 7/4 to win, but is very likely outclassed by the legendary So You Think.

The Listed Coral Marathon follows at 3:40PM, a 2 mile 78 yard race for 4 year olds and up. Flying Cross is favourite at 9/4 to win, with Ship’s Biscuit close behind at 5/1 to win.

The Listed Coral Distaff rounds out the major events for the day at 4:15PM, a 1 mile 14 yard race for 3 year old fillies only. Likely sorts for this race include Dubai Queen and Nahrain, though Cloud Illusions could also be a chance.

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The big races today are at Leopardstown, so that’s where we will focus. First up, the Listed Golden Fleece Stakes at 7:00PM. This is a 7 furlong race for 2 year olds only, and the winner will take €24,375. This is a race any of the runners could win, but we like the look of Snowflake Dancer and Tenth Star, though Whip Rule also looks a good chance.

The Cathy Davey Handicap follows at 7:30PM. This is another 7 furlong race, but for 4 year olds and up, with €5,520 for the winner. Footprint seems the way to go in this race, and maybe Great Relief and Silly Dancer for places.

The Bulmers Live Handicap comes next at 8:00PM. This is a 1 mile race for 3 year olds only, and the winner gets €6,900. We like Joe Eile and Noimead Draiochta, as well as President Lincoln for a place.

The C.R.O.S.S. Charity Handicap is after that at 8:35PM. This is a 1 mile 4 furlong race for 3 year olds and up, with €5,520 for the winner. Reach the Stars is a chance, along with Mr. Pianist and Articilitis for places.

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We will start with the Class 3 Peter Andre Here Next Wednesday Handicap at Kempton, starting at 8:50PM. This is a 2 mile run for 4 year olds and up, with £5,310 for the winner. Regal Park is in at 7/2, with a recent second place finish at Sandown. Phoenix Flight is another favourite at 11/4 to win, currently on a streak of place finishes and having only finished unplaced twice in seven races this season.

Next we will look at the Class 3 Wallace Whittle Consulting Engineers Handicap Chase at Perth, starting at 3:50PM. This is a 3 mile race for 5 year olds and up, and the winner will take £5,070. St Killian’s Run is in the odds at 15/8 to win and is coming off a second place in a race many thought he should have won. The closest in the odds is Sun Tzu at 5/2, on a long win streak of four races with two this season, and many of them at the same distance.

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Banimpire is the favourite at odds of 3/1 to win. She took the Group 2 Ribblesdale Stakes at Ascot recently. It was a very close run thing, but winning by the slightest of margins has always been her style. We wonder about the level of activity she has seen this season, however, as this will be her eighth race in about 4 months.

Vita Nova is next in the odds at 7/2 to win. A close loss at Haydock last month followed an opening win for the season. It was a loss in a step up in competition, and this race is another step up. We don’t like the look of that for a win bet, but we would certainly pick Vita Nova for a place.

Gertrude Bell follows at 7/1 to win, coming back after a handy win at Goodwood in April. We really like the look of this runner, just not for a big bet. If you are willing to put a little money down on a good risk, then we think Gertrude Bell is for you.

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