Ripon is preparing for its most valuable race day ever on Saturday, with more than £200,000 of prize money on offer across seven races.
This includes a total pot of £100,000 for the winner and placed horses in the principal race, the William Hill Great St Wilfrid Handicap.
It will feature some of country’s top sprinters, including current favourite Summerghand trained by David O’Meara.
Mr O’Meara, who trains at Upper Helmsley, said:
“He ran well in the race last year but was drawn on the wrong side. He is in really good form and he likes Ripon so fingers crossed for a nice draw and we’re very hopeful of a good run.”
The highly-competitive six furlong sprint, now in its 30th year of sponsorship from bookmaker William Hill, has been run in honour of Ripon’s patron saint since 1839.
One of the many floral displays at Yorkshire’s Garden Racecourse
A further reminder of the link between the historic course and ancient cathedral city will come when blasts from the Ripon hornblower, whose nightly ceremony dates back to King Alfred the Great in 886 AD, signal the start of racing.
William Hill is sponsoring five of the races on Saturday’s card and Ripon Racecourse managing director and clerk of the course, James Hutchinson, said:
“We’re immensely proud to be William Hill’s longest standing sports sponsorship and we’re delighted with the quality of entries for the big race.”
He added:
“It’s been 13 years since we last saw the trophy head south of Yorkshire and with a very strong contingent from Yorkshire and the North it would be no surprise if that extended to fourteen on Saturday.”
Operations and marketing manager Jon Mullin said:
“Advanced sales have been good, with the club enclosure sold out, but space is still available in the paddock and course enclosures and we’re hoping plenty of people come along to enjoy a great afternoon of racing. Families are always welcome and under 18s will be admitted free.”
While the Great St Wilfrid takes centre stage, the card also includes the William Hill Silver Trophy. Both races will be shown live on ITV4.
The gates will be open from 11.15am and the first race is off at 1.35pm.
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It’s a landmark year for Ripon Racecourse as it prepares for its most important race of the season tomorrow.
With the city celebrating the 1,350th anniversary of the founding of Ripon Cathedral by patron saint Wilfrid, the Boroughbridge Road track will hold the race that has been run in his honour since 1839 and has been supported by bookmaker William Hill since 1994.
The William Hill Great St Wilfrid Handicap, run over six furlongs, has attracted a field of 15 sprinters from top yards — all vying for the winner’s prize of £51,540, with a further £48,460 going to the owners of the placed runners.
Jon Mullin, marketing and operations manager at the racecourse, told the Stray Ferret:
“This will be William Hill’s 29th year of sponsorship. It is by far their longest-standing sponsorship and is something we are really proud of.”
Horses at the finish line at Ripon Races. Picture: Steve Fareham/Geograph.
With the weather set fair, a large crowd is anticipated and Mr Mullin added:
“Advanced sales have been promising. The club enclosure sold out three weeks ago and we’re hoping plenty of people come along to enjoy a great afternoon of racing.”
While the Great St Wilfrid takes centre stage, the card also features the William Hill Hornblower Conditions Stakes. Both races will be shown live on ITV.
The track’s roots are firmly established in the ancient city and the link between course, tradition and custom will be apparent when a Ripon hornblower signals the start of the stakes race at 1.40pm.
Mr Mullin said:
“Families are always welcome and under 18s will be admitted free.”
The gates will be open from 11.30am.