The final music stars for the 2025 York Racecourse season have been confirmed as Sophie Ellis-Bextor, as well as a very special guest appearance by Natasha Bedingfield.

Always a great combination of racing and musical entertainment, these two popular artists will star on the only evening of the York calendar, Friday 25 July, as they play following an early evening of sporting action.

With an impressive musical career that spans over 25-years, Sophie has achieved five top 10 albums and eight top 10 singles. With hits including ‘Murder on the Dancefloor’, ‘Take Me Home’, ‘Get Over You’, ‘Heartbreak (Make Me a Dancer)’ and many more. Her latest single ‘Freedom of the Night’ is the beginning of a return to Sophie’s distinctive sound, embracing her musical roots across pop, disco, and dance. After featuring in the epic final scene of Emerald Fennell’s film ‘Saltburn’, Sophie’s beloved 2001 hit ‘Murder on the Dancefloor’ saw a huge resurgence, charting at #2 in the UK Singles Chart and #58 In the Billboard Top 100, with the song reaching over 11 billion global streams across all streaming and social platforms.

Throughout Natasha Bedingfield’s illustrious career she has sold over 10 million albums and earned​ multiple award nominations, including a Grammy Award nomination for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance. ​Her 2004 hit ‘Unwritten’ enjoy​ed a spectacular resurgence ​last year, re-entering the UK Top 20 and was inducted into the Spotify Billions Club, underscoring its enduring popularity and streaming success. The charting was timely, as 2024 also marked the 20th anniversary of the song that has firmly rooted itself as one of the 2000s' most recognisable hits alongside ‘Pocket Full Of Sunshine’ and her UK #1 single ‘These Words’.

Racing and music fans can take advantage of a range of great deals on General Admission, meaning entrance to the main Grandstand and Paddock enclosure, starts at just £40 per person for a group of six.*  As well as free car parking, there are no booking fees. 

On the racecourse itself, the racing action will see seven thoroughbred contests, including the Listed EBF Lyric Stakes, a prestigious race worth £70,000 in prize money.

A little under twenty-four hours later Ronan Keating will take to the Live Music stage following a further seven races of thoroughbred action.

It promises to be a fun filled summer for racing and music fans as there are four other racedays scheduled for this popular time of year; with Olly Murs previously confirmed for a brand new raceday on Saturday 28 June; then the traditional highlight of the 66th John Smith’s Cup Meeting (Friday 11 and Saturday 12 July).

James Brennan, Head of Marketing and Sponsorship said, “A summer evening on the Knavesmire is all about having fun and enjoying yourself, and you can’t get better sounds of the summer than those performed by Sophie and Natasha. I’m looking forward to an event that music and racing fans will remember with real fondness.”