Beverley Racecourse is gearing up for its most prestigious raceday in a successful season which has seen bumper attendances flocking to the picturesque venue.
The racecourse is anticipating another great turnout for the Beverley Bullet Raceday on Saturday, September 2 – the last big meeting before the end of the season.
Attendances at the popular racecourse are 6% up on 2016, bucking the trend for racecourses across the country, which are showing a 6% decline on last year.
The season has also seen a series of new partnerships, a successful new format and partner for the season’s best-attended meeting, Flemingate Ladies’ Day, and Beverley being named as the North’s best value racecourse.
Next up is the Totepool Beverley Bullet Raceday, which will feature a fast and furious five furlong dash, attracting some of the fastest horses seen on the Westwood.
The Beverley Bullet Raceday will also feature pony racing, which is a showcase for promising young riders and has been a starting point for many well-known jockeys, including racing legend Frankie Dettori.
Sally Iggulden, Chief Executive of Beverley Racecourse, said: “We’ve enjoyed a fantastic season this year and we’re delighted that both attendances and pre-bookings are well up on last year.
“Our policy of continually investing in enhancing our facilities and the raceday experience is really paying off.”
Kate McKee, Marketing Executive at Beverley Racecourse, said: “It’s been a great season so far and we’re confident that will continue for the Beverley Bullet and remaining meetings of the year.
“Our themed racedays have proven very popular, as have our partnerships with Hull FC, Winteringham Fields and Yorkshire Cancer Research. We’re also delighted with the success of our new partnership with the Flemingate centre in Beverley for Ladies’ Day.
“We’ve developed our reputation as a family-friendly course even more this year, with fun events like our Donkey Derby, Camel Derby and Bark de Triomphe going down a storm with racegoers, as well as raising lots of money for charities.”
Beverley Racecourse’s sponsors have once again benefited from their association with the venue during the season.
One long-standing partner of the Beverley Racecourse is East Yorkshire-based William Jackson Food Group, best known for the Aunt Bessie’s range.
Nicholas Oughtred, Chairman of William Jackson Food Group, said: “We’ve enjoyed a relationship of over 40 years with Beverley Racecourse and host annual corporate hospitality events at the venue.
“We find the relaxed atmosphere at the racecourse an ideal environment to entertain our colleagues, customers and supply partners and find the team at the course friendly, professional and helpful.”
One of Beverley Racecourse’s 2017 Season Partners is the Potting Shed bar in Beverley.
Isaac Mayne, Head of Marketing and Promotions for the Potting Shed, said: “The racecourse is a fantastic asset for Beverley and we’re delighted to support it. It’s been great to be part of such of successful season.
“Promotion of our brand at the course has been really positive for building awareness for the Potting Shed and we’ve definitely seen increased footfall on race days.”
Beverley was recently voted the best value racecourse in the North by the members of the Racegoers Club, the official supporters club for British Racing.
Sally added: “The Racegoers Club accolade has been one of many highlights of the season.
“We’re thrilled to be voted the best value racecourse in the north by our customers. It means so much to us and we’re so grateful to the members of the Racegoers Club for this acknowledgement.
“The entire team put in an incredible amount of effort into giving our customers an unforgettable and great value experience. We’re very proud this has been recognised.”
Among the jockeys set to feature during the Beverley Bullet meeting is North Yorkshire rider Barry McHugh, who has been sponsored by Beverley Racecourse this season as part of the course’s commitment to support up-and-coming talent in the industry.
Barry said: “I’m really grateful for the support of Beverley Racecourse. Beverley is one of my favourite tracks, it’s one of the loveliest racecourses in Yorkshire and it’s local to me as I’m based at Malton.
“There’s always a great crowd and a nice atmosphere at the Beverley Bullet. It’s one of the biggest racedays at Beverley with lots of good sprinters running. People turn up to see some quality racing – it’s a great day out.”
There’s still time to experience East Yorkshire’s best day out, with two race meetings following the Beverley Bullet race day.
The penultimate meeting of the season is an afternoon of racing on Tuesday, September 20, with the last race at 5pm.
The racing season will go out with a bang with the Season Closer on Tuesday, September 26, as renowned chef Colin McGurran and his team from Winteringham Fields take over the elegant Attraction Restaurant for the day.
Bookings for this unforgettable experience sold out in just an hour of going on sale. Diners will enjoy the famous North Lincolnshire restaurant’s seven-course tasting menu after a luxurious gin reception where guests can meet the celebrity chef.
Tickets for the Totepool Beverley Bullet Raceday are available online at www.beverley-racecourse.co.uk or by calling the ticket hotline on 01482 867488.
Gates open at 11.30am. The first race is at 2pm and last race provisionally at 5.30pm.
