The last chance to enjoy racing action at York in 2022 comes on Friday and Saturday (7 and 8 October).  With prize money in excess of £570,000 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 £15,000 to connections.

There are two races worth £100,000 on Friday; the inaugural 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 thirty-five 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, Volatile Analyst, has won at Listed level for Keith Dalgleish’s yard, as well as running in the top rank of sprint handicaps again, this season.

The Listed Coral Rockingham Stakes, taken by the William Haggas trained Canonized in the Cheveley Park silks last season,  has been boosted to a record £60,000.

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

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 jewellery, prints, personalized photographs, handbags, Christmas cards and novelty items for pets and Harry Potter fans!

Friday’s card begins at 2.05pm 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 returning sponsors are Irish Thoroughbred Marketing and the connections of the joint winning most horse at York, Copper Knight, who has been in that Winner’s Enclosure on six occasions already. The Tim Easterby trained hero is entered for his own race, so bidding for a magnificent seven.

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, northern based duo of Danny Tudhope and Clifford Lee sit ahead of a chasing pack, on seven winners.

The leaderboard of the Charles Clinkard Top Trainer at York is headed by Karl Burke who has posted a remarkable ten victories to date, being three more than his nearest rival Kevin Ryan.

On both days racegoers will be able to enjoy the popular Monotones as well as a Jazz Band. Saturday marks the debut of the Coral VR stage, with clever tech letting the public gain some sense of race riding.

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.