York Racecourse concluded its 2022 season on Saturday after a busy year which saw some of the best horses in the world competing over 18 race days of world-class racing action.
A record investment by the York Race Committee of £10 million – up £2.4m on 2021 and £1.2m on 2019 – was rewarded with a record ever number of runners across the season.
Altogether, 1,491 runners raced at York, equating to an average field size of 12, among the highest in British flat racing.
A final day crowd of 19,106 for the last raceday of the season was up 3% on 2019, despite travel disruption caused by rail strikes.
The total annual 2022 attendance of 274,091 represents a 5% decline in gate paying attendance, on a like for like fixture basis on 2019, with three of the racedays being significantly impacted by rail strikes.
On the track, some of the very best racehorses and jockeys have competed at York and gone on to further glory elsewhere.
At the Dante Festival in May, Desert Crown, the winner of the feature race went on to become the 12th colt to win at York and then in the Epsom Derby.
Award winners
In other positive news this year, Macmillan Charity Raceday in June raised a fantastic sum of £487,677 for Macmillan Cancer Support and other local and racing charities.
It remains the biggest charity raceday in Britain and Macmillan’s biggest single fundraising event, having now raised approaching £10 million during the last 52 years.
York again played host to the biggest racing plus music concerts in the sport, with Madness and Sugababes delivering tremendous performances at the July Music Showcase.
Another centrepiece for the course came in June when Racing With Pride raceday was rightly celebrated with a sponsored race in partnership with the European Breeder’s Fund. The York Templars, an inclusive rugby league side were guests of the course as part of a rainbow filled and sun-kissed afternoon.
The York team won the Flat Groundstaff of the Year award, head gardener Zac Rafferty helped secure an RHS Yorkshire in Bloom award for his floral displays, Karen Dunbar a Lifetime in Racing Award from Racing Welfare and finally York has been nominated for three further awards at November’s RCA Showcase.
William Derby, chief executive and clerk of the course at York Racecourse said, “The 2022 season has once again been characterised by both the tremendous performances we have witnessed on the track and the unstinting support of racegoers, connections and the wider team.
“Despite the undoubted economic challenges and the frustrations of rail disruption, the York Race Committee and I are hugely grateful and appreciative of the wonderful support everyone has shown to York.
“We are delighted that we have been able to return to the strategy of increasing prize money, meaning a record level of £10 million, as well as investing in facilities such as the Champagne Pavilion, County Stand Garden Marquee, Roberto Village Bar and Stableside facilities.
“We very much look forward to racing returning to York on 17 May 2023.”
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