There will be no Dante Festival in York this year as all racing is cancelled in May.
Following government advice, the British Horseracing Authority extended the suspension of horse racing in front of a crowd, until Sunday 31st May.
This means the cancellation of the four race days scheduled for York Racecourse in May, specifically the Dante Festival (Wednesday 13th, Thursday 14th and Friday 15th May) and Saturday 30th May.
In a statement York Racecourse said that, although disappointing, public health must be everyone’s priority.
Customers who booked direct with York Racecourse are entitled to a full refund.
Revenue is vital
But the racecourse asked anyone that could to transfer their bookings to 2021, saying:
The revenue from gate receipts is vital to the ongoing well-being of York Racecourse.
It helps fund the prize money which regularly attracts the star horses and jockeys and is the life blood of racing stables, it contributes towards the facilities for all to enjoy and keeps together the team that work to deliver the race days.
So, we are requesting that our racegoers simply allow us to transfer their existing bookings to May 2021.
The provisional dates for next season are, The Dante Festival 2021 would run on Wednesday 12th ; Thursday 13th and Friday 14th May, with the first Saturday Meeting being 22nd May 2021.
The racecourse says it understands that not everyone will be in a position to offer us this support. To apply for a refund, email [email protected].
At the moment the York race days in June, July and the Ebor Festival in late August are all set to go ahead.
Any bookings made for these meetings are still valid and tickets are still on sale. If anyone wanted to join you, these dates remain on sale.
“Any bookings for the balance of the season can be made safe in the knowledge that a full refund is available,” the racecourse said.