The last chance to enjoy racing action at York in 2024 comes on Friday and Saturday (11 and 12 October).  With record prize money in excess of  £630,000 on offer. In the last decade, the prize money for these two days has more than doubled in value.

There are now three contests with a six-figure purse and every contest offers a minimum of £20,000 to connections.

There are two races worth £100,000 on Friday; the third staging of the European Breeders’ Fund 2yo Series Colts Final, as well as a handicap for three-year-old stayers backed by regular sponsor at York, William Hill. That will mean a record forty-one races of the York season will have at least a six-figure prize pot.

The feature race of the Saturday meeting is also worth £100,000, the Coral Sprint Trophy, an ultra-competitive sprint handicap. Last year’s victor, Montassib, has progressed through Pattern Race company, to land the Group One Haydock Sprint Cup, for train er William Haggas and Cieren Fallon.

The Listed Coral Rockingham Stakes, taken by the Andrew Balding trained. Purosangue, is an example of another race which develops horses into contenders for Group races as a three-year-old.  

The ITV cameras will be at the track for both days, covering three races on both days.

A special Racing TV Zone on the Roberto Lawn will show all of the action from Newmarket as well as York, letting the expert team share their views with racegoers.

Friday will see the biggest ever Countryside Market. A range of stalls will include those offering jewelry, prints, personalized photographs, handbags, Christmas cards and novelty items for pets and Harry Potter fans!

Friday’s card begins at 1.30pm and blends competitive handicaps with contests to develop the two-year-olds, as well as honing the talents of apprentice jockeys. Regular visitors to the city will recognize The Parsonage Country House Hotel & Cloisters Spa at Escrick who return in support of a race on this day. Completing a day of incumbent sponsors are Irish Thoroughbred Marketing and the connections of the winning most horse at York, Copper Knight, who has been in that Winner’s Enclosure on seven occasions already.

Saturday’s quality seven race programme also begins at 1.30pm with all seven races backed by Coral, a brand that first supported this day back in 1979.

The meeting will also see the conclusion of the season long contests to be top jockey and trainer at York. In the Living North-sponsored jockeys’ race,  after a memorable season, Oisin Murphy currently leads the way on 9 winners.

The leaderboard of the Charles Clinkard Top Trainer at York is headed by Andrew Balding, bidding for his first York title having posted a remarkable nine victories to date; the likes of Ralph Becket and a trio of Yorkshire handlers, Kevin Ryan, David O’Meara and Kevin Ryan, sit close behind.

On both days racegoers will be able to enjoy the popular Monotones as well as a Jazz Band and the popular 360-degree selfie camera and flower walls.

The equine ambassador to York Racecourse, Remy, will make his final appearance on Saturday.

Seven large screens will cover both racing on the Knavesmire and the major contests from Newmarket as part of the Racing TV Zone.  

The Punters’ Panel will offer tips before racing on each day.