Racing at York gets underway, on Wednesday 17th May. The 3-day Dante Festival will feature the Musidora Stakes, (Weds), the Dante Stakes (Thurs) and the Yorkshire Cup (Fri). 7 superb meetings will be held on the Knavesmire, in 2017 and here are the dates for your diaries…
Dante Festival – Wednesday 17th – Friday 19th May
May Spring Meeting – Saturday 27th May
June Meeting – Friday 16th – Sat 17th June
John Smith’s Cup Meeting – Friday 14th – Sat 15th July
Welcome to Yorkshire Ebor Festival – Wednesday 23rd – Sat 26th August
September Meeting – Sunday 10th September
October Finale – Friday 13th – Sat 14th October
Racing At York
Well over 350,000 people visit York Racecourse, each year. It is the most important racing venue in the north of England. On average, York offers more in prize-money, per meeting, than anywhere else other than Ascot.
History
The first grandstand was erected in 1754. Designed by John Carr, the construction cost was just over £1000. This was replaced in the latter part of the 19th-Century. Further work was carried out in the mid-1960s and this was augmented with the building of a 5-tier grandstand and the Melrose Stand. York now has the capacity for over 60,000 spectators.
York’s ‘Great Match’ Horse Race
Back in 1851, there were few rules about spectator numbers and over 100,000 racing fans packed York Racecourse to see the ‘Great Match’. This is a very famous race between Voltigeur and The Flying Dutchman. At the time, these were seen as the two finest horses in the land. A purse of 100,000 sovereigns was put up for this clash of the titans.
At 5 years of age, The Flying Dutchman had already won the Doncaster St Leger and the Epsom Derby – a feat matched by Voltigeur, who was one year younger. However, Voltigeur had won in a time that was 10 seconds quicker than The Flying Dutchman.
The two had already raced each other in the Doncaster Cup. Voltigeur had won, but the jockey of The Flying Dutchman, Charles Marlow, was accused of riding while drunk. He set a ridiculously fast pace and his mount could not stay the distance.
The Great Match was a handicap, with Voltigeur being given a generous 8.5 pounds allowance. This time, Nat Flatman was piloting The Flying Dutchman. Keeping to a far more moderate early pace, Flatman was rewarded as The Flying Dutchman won by a length.
After his victory, The Flying Dutchman was immediately retired to stud, while Voltigeur continued to race. The Flying Dutchman stood at both Rawcliffe Paddocks, in England, and Napoleon III’s National Stud, in France. He sired Ellington (a Derby winner) and some quality jumping horses, but many experts feel that his offspring were disappointing, overall.
Betting With RaceBets
Make sure that you get ready for the big meetings at York and open an account with us at RaceBets. We pride ourselves by coming up with the most exciting promotions, for all of the big meetings. This includes Ascot, Goodwood, Doncaster, Newmarket and Epsom.
