The Evening Press is to sponsor the Sunday meeting at York Racecourse again this year.

A huge crowd of 22,500 watched last year's first-ever Sunday spectacular and this season's Evening Press Raceday on September 2 promises to be even better.

There will be a full programme of events for all the family and this year there will be a seven-race programme over the famous Knavesmire turf with the first race starting around 2.00pm.

Evening Press editor Liz Page said: "Last year's first Sunday raceday was a great day out for all the family, placing it firmly on the York social calendar. If you enjoyed yourselves last year then come again for an even bigger and better day out. And if you haven't given it a try yet, a warm welcome awaits all our readers at the racecourse. We hope you have a splendid day out - and who knows, you may even have a win or two as well."

James Brennan, York Racecourse's marketing manager welcomed the Evening Press' involvement again.

"Last year's Sunday meeting proved it was for all the people of York, therefore who better to be the sponsor again than the newspaper of the people of York, the Evening Press"

The gates will open at 11.30am and racegoers will be able to get right into the swings of things by trying their luck on the Equicisor, a mechanical riding horse. It bucks and moves its head simulating the real thing and can be operated at different speeds to cater for novices as well an the experienced rider. The equipment is manned by two former jockeys.

For those who want something a little less taxing, the York Racecourse Museum will be open.

The special day will also include a 'Parade of the Horse', featuring different breeds such as thoroughbreds, dray horses and Shetland ponies.

The Royal Dragoon Display Team is another attraction while there will be lots of interviews in the parade ring as people heavily involved in racing like trainers, jockeys and farriers explain their work.

Through the Evening Press each race on the programme will have a local sponsor, with a total of £89,000 added prize money on offer in the seven races.

Among the sponsors are Crystal Windows, Nestle UK, The Flat Roof Company and Monks Cross Shopping Park.

It is also hoped that the newspaper's horse, 'Evening Press', trained by Norton trainer Tim Etherington at Wold House, will also feature on the day - either as a runner or a celebrity - but it will depend on how the two-year-old progresses over the next few months.

James Espin, Head of Circulation and Marketing at the Evening Press said: "The Evening Press is again delighted to sponsor York's Sunday race meeting after many thousands of our readers enjoyed top class racing and a great family day out last year's event. We are very pleased to play our part in staging what I'm sure will be another superb occasion in York's racing history."

Updated: 08:53 Friday, May 04, 2001