08-05-2025
Record prize money up for grabs as new season kicks off at York Racecourse
Record prize money up for grabs as new season kicks off at York Racecourse
THREE days of action will kick off the 2025 season at York Racecourse next week.
The Dante Festival starts on Wednesday 14 May with record prize money of more than £1.5m.
It is the first of 14 dates - also Premier Racedays - at the venue, which was named Racecourse of the Year 2024 by the Racecourse Association Showcase judges.
It will set the tone for a record investment across the season of more than £12m in prize money.
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The Dante Festival will see a record amount of prize money up for grabs. Image: Supplied
This will be the first Dante Festival when racegoers visiting the Grandstand and Paddock will have use of the award-winning Bustardthorpe End Development. The multi-million-pound upgrade was opened last August by The Queen in her capacity as Royal Patron to the track.
Racegoers can also enjoy the Roberto Village Bar, the Churchill Tyres Lawn & Canopy, both a Fish 'n' Chip Shop and chicken griddle, as well as improved Theakston Bar.
Nine new canopies have also been installed on the Champagne Lawn, complete with PA speakers and heaters.
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A new equine statue standing at 18 hands by acclaimed sculptor Freddie McAlpine will greet racegoers as they arrive, while the flower wall which forms the backdrop of scores of photos and selfies will literally take on a fresh look as real flowers from the course's own greenhouses.
Continuing the refreshed look, a Guinness Bar and a Prosecco one in the Roberto Lawn area have both had a makeover alongside a pink gin and cocktail bar.
New racing season kicks off at York Racecourse on Wednesday 14th May (Image: Image: Hannah Ali)Competition is set to be fierce for the Top Trainer Trophy with a cash prize of £2,500 for the winning stable, alongside a complimentary Christmas Party and a fine pair of shoes.
Riders will also battle for the Top Jockey Trophy as well as £2,500, which last year's winner donated to Macmillan. All 125 contests will offer at least £100 to the groom responsible for the best turned out horse.
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Complimentary behind-the-scenes guided tours will continue before racing and minibus trips to the start for racegoers. These will be led by former professional jockey and winner of the Cheltenham Gold Cup, Robert Earnshaw, to help explain the sport and get racegoers closer to the action.
Three days of action from Wednesday 14th May will start the new racing season at York Racecourse Image: Hannah AliOn most days of the season, racegoers will also get a chance to meet the equine ambassador to the Knavesmire, Remy. Now 16, the retired racehorse will be better known to fans of the sport as Goldream, the dual Group One winning sprinter for Robert Cowell.
He will showcase the work of New Beginnings, a local charity that helps horses with new careers once their racing days have ended. A team from Racing Welfare will be on course as the Dante Festival marks Mental Health Awareness Week.
