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2021 SEASON - COMMON QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

Details updated, as at 7pm on Saturday 10 July

On Monday 14 June, the Government confirmed a delay to "Step 4 of the roadmap". The revised date is Monday 19 July.

On Monday 5 July, the Prime Minister confirmed that the country remains on course to meet this date, meaning the outlook is optimistic for both the Music Showcase Weekend (23 and 24 July) and the Welcome to Yorkshire Ebor Festival (18 to 21 August).

However, the extension to “Step 3”, does mean the two days of the John Smith’s Cup meeting, Friday 9 and Saturday 10 July, took place whilst the nation remains under “Step 3 of the Government’s roadmap”.

Regrettably, this means that attendance was limited, with just 4,000 racegoers able to join us for these two days.

Priority will be given to Owners of the runners, Annual Badgeholders, limited hospitality guests and those who “rolled over” their 2020 booking.

As the key facilities in use will be those in the traditional County Stand areas, places were offered, based on the date of booking for the County Stand.

For those who had already made a booking for these days, this means:

- County Stand Bookings: please look out for an email that indicates the status of your booking:
a) confirming that a place had been offered a place in the limited crowd, or;
b) for those who booked County Stand after 3 June for Friday and 27 March for Saturday: unfortunately, the cap on numbers meant there was simply not space for them. The person who made the booking has been emailed with the offer tf loyalty deals on a transfer to some future dates this season or a rollover to July 2022, or a full refund, all the details are on the email.

- Grandstand & Paddock Bookings: with the exception of those who kindly “rolled over” their 2020 booking. Regrettably, Grandstand & Paddock racegoers who booked in 2021, were not able to join us. The person who made the booking has been emailed with the offer of loyalty deals on a transfer to some future dates this season or a rollover to July 2022, or a full refund, all the details will be on the email.

Please check SPAM folders for this email and ensure the email account used for the original purchase is being checked.

Any requested refunds for 9 & 10 July are now being processed by our small team. Customers should see these refunds appearing on the statements of the payment card used for the original purchase during w/c 5 July. This is an ongoing process. Where there is a query, for example if the original payment card has since expired the customer will be contacted directly. Thank you for your patience.

Beyond July, York Racecourse is pleased to offer something further to look forward to by having admission on sale for the Welcome to Yorkshire Ebor Festival (Wednesday 18 to Saturday 21 August) and four other racedays, in September and October. A no quibble refund is an option.

Given the announcement by the Prime Minster on Monday 5 July, there is increased confidence that all these meeting remains will take place after the move to the Government’s “Step 4 of the roadmap” (currently Monday 19 July). The broad advice from Government is that this should mean that much of life will be able to return to “normal”. There may be some detail for the operation of large events, the team at York Racecourse is awaiting more advice from the relevant authorities.

Admission for eight days from 23 July remains available to advance book.

The website looks different to the one I remember?

The customer ticket booking process has been updated to respond to the increasing number of visits from mobile devices.
Customers can now follow a simple system of “tiles and drop downs”, to first choose their raceday and then their ticket type.
The latest generation of York Racecourse Gift Vouchers, launched in December 2020, can be redeemed online. The older paper vouchers are still valid and holders will need to follow the previous system by contacting the Bookings Team to redeem them.
The ticket delivery options for Grandstand & Paddock now include an electronic ticket to be printed at home or held on a phone.
There are some Covid-19 pages to read, and then Terms & Conditions to accept.

What is on sale?

A wide number of admission options for eight days being Friday evening 23 July, Saturday 24 July, the Welcome to Yorkshire Ebor Festival (Wednesday 18 to Saturday 21 August), Sunday 5 September, Friday 24 September, Friday 8 October and Saturday 9 October, meaning:
- general admission to County Stand, Grandstand & Paddock - including Groups of 6+ and with our automatic “buy 20 get one free” deal;
- age concessions;
- four-day admission to the Welcome to Yorkshire Ebor Festival; and
- the most popular “meal deal top-ups”- being County Carvery, Fish ‘n’ Fizz and the Picnic Platters.
Hospitality is available, subject to availability and protocols by raceday. Please enquire using [email protected]

What is NOT on sale?

Given the uncertainties, the Melrose Club Lounge, Premier Racing Lounge and certain top-ups are not currently being offered for new sales. The strong number of “rollover customers”, when considered with the limited physical space in these unique areas, as well as the nature of serving food and drinks within them, needs further consideration. For the racedays in June, the Melrose Club Lounge operated successfully with a smaller capacity and revised menu.There will be an email in due course for those holding a rollover booking for the Premier Racing Lounge and Melrsoe Club Lounge for Music Showcase Weekend. County Stand customers for any relevant days, will be offered the chance to upgrade, should capacities allow.
Three-day admission for the Welcome to Yorkshire Ebor Festival in any enclosure (existing purchasers are thanked for their patience ahead of further advice).
Clocktower Enclosure is traditionally "pay on the gate", so it is not on sale, nor available, at this point.

Will the races themselves be the same? And on the same day?

The intention is to run seven races on each day, including on the three weekdays of the Welcome to Yorkshire Ebor Festival. The only exception is Friday evening 23 July which traditionally hosts a six-race card.
This year, the feature races are expected to be run on their usual days. As examples, the Group 1 Juddmonte International on Wednesday 18 August, the Sky Bet Ebor on Saturday 21 August and the John Smith’s Cup on Saturday 10 July. A full race programme is available on the website and in the usual racing publications, which would both reflect any amends as the days draw closer.

What can I expect to be the same on a raceday?
Much of the detail will evolve as we respond to the protocols applicable at the time, as we work with Government and our local partners. However, as an indication of broad themes:

at the heart of the day, it will still be the live sporting action, with the usual number of exciting contests scheduled;
a warm Yorkshire welcome is assured;
there will be the opportunity to enjoy some locally sourced food, served using the best practice from restaurants and eateries;
toasting a winner or drowning a sorrow will still be possible, though everyone will be expected to behave responsibly;
having a bet will still be part of the challenge though the mechanism may adapt to the circumstances; and
expect fashion to still be part of the atmosphere.

What might change were there be any future days under "Step 3"?

As some detail is yet to be clarified by Government, if required, a full Code of Conduct and Guide to the Experience will both be sent to racegoers nearer to their attendance date. Up to 72 hours before a raceday, customers retain the right to request a full refund in relation to any Covid-19 protocols which may be required.
As an example from recent “Step 3” days, there were similar sorts of measures as you might encounter in other retail and leisure venues. For example, extra hand sanitiser points, simple social distancing measures such as one-way systems, managed queuing, limited numbers in lifts or on escalators, bigger spacing in both the viewing and seating areas. The use of face coverings will remain, in line with national government requirements. Table Service will be the standard, though it will be possible to purchase a drink from certain outdoor bars, provided it is then consumed whilst seated. More takeaway food and disposable items are in use. An investment in technology makes it easy to pay by contactless methods.
For the “Step 4” days, so currently due to be from 19 July onwards, there is more detail still required from Government. On Monday 5 July, the Prime Minister expressed increased confidence that from 19 July, events should be very near normal.
A recognition that participants, such as jockeys, may need to stay in their “green zone bubble”. This will limit activities such as autograph signing.

Is Music Showcase Weekend happening as normal?

The Music Showcase Weekend (23 and 24 July) is confirmed as a racing fixture.
The artists set to perform have been announced as being Rick Astley for Friday evening 23 July, with McFLY due on stage after racing on Saturday afternoon, 24 July.
However, the additional complexities of the combined nature of a racing and music event does mean that it may be subject to different Covid-19 protocols. More details about this are expected from Government and will appear on the website and social media channels, as soon as we know them. Thank you for your understanding.
Badges/tickets for this meeting will be despatched after the John Smith's meeting, so no sooner than w/c 12 July.
If you booked for one of our 2020 Music Showcase Weekend racedays, please click here for the email sent out on 5 May 2021.

What if a raceday is cancelled because of a change to the “roadmap” or other Covid-19 matters?

All bookings come with both a money back guarantee and the assurance that York Racecourse will observe whatever Covid-19 measures are expected, at the time of the racedays. Up to 72 hours before a raceday, customers retain the right to request a full refund in relation to any Covid-19 protocols which may be required. It would be automatically offered if guidance meant a paying crowd were no longer permitted.

I “rolled over” my booking for July to October racedays, what does it mean for me?

Thank you for your support. The "Government roadmap" currently places a number of these days as being amongst eight York racedays after the given date for a nationwide move to “Step 4” (currently being 19 July), offering the ability to welcome racegoers in greater numbers. Given your support by “rolling over” your booking, you are a priority for access and need take no further action.
For the two racedays of Friday 9 and Saturday 10 July, those racegoers who generously "rolled over" their 2020 booking will be given priority in the limited crowd. No further action is required by racegoers.
As further detail is still expected from Government, more information about the raceday experience will follow in due course. Please check the website or follow our social media channels.

Will I be expected to wear a face covering?

The expectation to wear a mask will adopt the wider requirements set out by Government and best practice, at that time.

Will I be expected to take a Covid-19 test or to show a vaccination certificate?

• These are questions still being considered by Government in relation to all venues and may vary at different points of the summer. It is NOT currently part of the requirement to attend on July 9 & 10. York Racecourse will expect racegoers to comply with any guidance applicable at the time of a given raceday.

I am an existing Annual Badgeholder, what does it mean for me?

Existing Annual Badgeholders, remain to the fore of thinking and so are counted as part of any limited crowd.. Consequently, we have welcomed Annual Badgeholders to three days already, starting with Saturday 22 May and look forward to doing so again for both days of the John Smith’s meeting.

Can I book hospitality?

Why not consider having the extra treat of an afternoon in one of our hospitality restaurants. These will be open for all racedays in steps 3 and 4, from 23 July. Please enquire by email to [email protected].

Do children under 16yo need an advance booked admission badge/ticket?

The next generation of racing fans are always welcome and for the vast majority of racedays, those aged under sixteen do NOT need to buy an admission in advance. The only exception is Music Showcase Weekend (23 and 24 July) when those aged 4-15yo will need a special £10 admission. These are a prompted top-up purchase when buying adult admission for these two days.
A limited number of children's badges have been included in the capacity calculation for the dates under “Step 3”, however they must be booked in advance. Those who are part of the limited crowd for 9 and 10 July will receive an email that allows them to register for accompanied children’s badges. To be fair to fellow racegoers, please consider carefully whether you need these badges.

What about the Clocktower Enclosure?

As this is traditionally a “pay on the gate” area, it is yet to be put on sale.

I have a specific question?

We understand that not every query will have been answered here and we hope to have addressed the main ones. Most other questions are likely to require further clarity from Government before we are able to give a measured answer - thank you for your understanding. Please do submit your question as we would hope to answer them all in future updates to our information, though the team may well have no immediate further information. The main contact is [email protected]

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