York Racecourse is situated in North Yorkshire, and is one of the most prominent racing tracks in all of the United Kingdom. Staging three of the UK’s 31 Group One races, the Flat course is most famous for holding the annual Ebor Handicap, which is held in August during the Ebor Festival.
Address: Knavesmire Rd, York, North Yorkshire YO23 1EX
Phone: 01904 620911
York Racecourse’s history dates back to 1731, when all York races moved to their current location on the Knavesmire. North Yorkshire was known as the heart of modern horseracing, and attracted racing crowds of more than 100,000 punters.
In June, 2005, while the Ascot Racecourse was undergoing its £185 million development, York Racecourse was selected to host the prestigious Royal Ascot event.
Despite this honour, 2003 was the finest year for York Racecourse, as it not only came out as the top British racecourse in The Times’ national survey, but it also received the top honour for Racecourse of the Year.
The Ebor Handicap is undoubtedly the most popular meet held at York Racecourse, with the three Group One races also regarded as big attractions amongst racing fans. These races include the International Stakes, Nunthorpe Stakes, and Yorkshire Oaks.
Other prominent events include:
York Racecourse is just 24 miles from Leeds, less than 60 miles from Manchester, and can be reached via road or rail. The York Racecourse website has a handy travel tool that allows you to simply enter your postcode into the box, and receive directions to the course immediately.
Dining – There is an extensive range of dining venues on offer at York Racecourse. The award-winning hospitality firm boasts more than 100 years of catering experience, and specialises in dinner dances, balls, Christmas parties, cocktail parties, and much more. At capacity, it can hold up to 1,400 diners throughout the myriad dining facilities.
Wedding/Events: Suites and banquet halls are all on offer at the Racecourse, with a special emphasis placed on high preparation standards and attention to detail. Weddings, Conferences, and special events are all welcome to hire out rooms at the York Racecourse throughout the year.
Disabled Access: York Racecourse has a comprehensive outlay of disabled facilities for patrons and their guests. Designated car parks, raised race-viewing platforms, and taxi buggy transportation are just a few of the features available. Of course, there are also disabled toilets and wheelchair ramps to most racecourse restaurants.