Two-Day October Meeting - A Proper Finale

The last chance to enjoy racing at York in 2025 comes on Friday and Saturday (10 and 11 October). With prize money in excess of £600,000 on offer. In the last decade, the prize money for these two days has more than doubled in value.

There are now two contests with a six-figure purse and every contest offers a minimum of £25,000 to connections.

On Friday, the third staging of the European Breeders’ Fund 2yo Series Colts Final offers £100,000, as well as a highly valuable handicap for three-year-olds backed by regular sponsor at York, William Hill. That will mean a record forty-two 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, Strike Red, continues to represent Richard Fahey’s yard with credit in the famous handicaps.

The Listed Coral Rockingham Stakes, taken by the Karl Burke trained, Jungle Drums, 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 visits.

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 the connections of the winning most

horse at York, Copper Knight, who has been in that Winner’s Enclosure on seven occasions

already. Racegoers will hope to clean up in the final handicap of the day, backed by PJ Staffing, the operation that keeps the Knavesmire looking spic ‘n’ span

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 Sky Bet Ebor Festival, Oisin Murphy and William Buick currently lead the way, tied on 9 winners.

The leaderboard of the Charles Clinkard Top Trainer at York is headed by defending champion, Andrew Balding, bidding for back-to-back titles having posted a remarkable ten victories to date, putting him two clear of William Haggas; Karl Burke leads the local contenders.

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

New Beginnings partner with York to bring an equine ambassador to the course;this time it is scheduled to be Scampi who was a Knavesmire winner

.

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.