BUILDING on 52 years of popularity with racing fans and with now over £10million already raised for good causes, Macmillan Charity Raceday at York Racecourse on Saturday June 15 promises to be an afternoon of quality racing that again helps those in most need.

Just by attending on Saturday, racegoers will increase the money raised for charity.

Designated by the sport as a Premier Raceday, Saturday’s principal contest is The Churchill Tyres Supporting Macmillan Sprint, one of Britain’s richest sprint handicaps for three-year-olds, offering prize money of £100,000.

The roll of honour in this race over six furlongs includes top sprinters such as Cadeaux Genereux, Sheikh Albadou and more recently, Twilight Sun.

The day will celebrate the commitment of the twelve intrepid amateur riders, who will undertake the Macmillan Ride of Their Lives, a mile race aboard a thoroughbred on the famous Knavesmire. Each rider has pledged at least £3,000 to the charity and you can help them by visiting their donation pages on Just Giving.

York Racecourse has provided complimentary admission to over six hundred people who support Macmillan and other charities. The initiative is called the “proper Thank You Bank” as it is intended to credit the hard work of these individuals.

The charity auction so generously supported over the years is now available to view online in advance of the raceday.

This means everyone can place a bid for the many stunning lots. Some of the more unusual lots this year are a chance to meet rapper Fat Boy Slim as he tours the UK, or to receive a full made-to-measure suit tailoring experience in the heart of Mayfair with Fielding & Nicholson. Visit here for more information on how to make your bid.

Since 2012, a Listed race has featured on the Saturday racing programme, the Sky Bet Race to the Ebor Grand Cup over fourteen furlongs.

On Friday the feature contest is the Seat Unique Stakes, a valuable handicap run over 12 furlongs. Both offer record prize money of £70,000 and so provide another reason to attend the meeting.

Racing under Rules begins at 1.50pm on both days, the Saturday action starts with the 34th running of The Queen Mother’s Cup, the richest race for lady amateur riders in Britain and a contest won by The Princess Royal in 1988, as well as by ITV Racing presenter Francesca Cumani in 2006.

It offers an opportunity for the successful rider to toast her success in her own weight in Lanson champagne.

The high standard continues on this Charity Raceday with The Reg Griffin Appreciation EBF Stallions Maiden Stakes - a contest for two-year-olds named in honour of the founder of this Charity Day in 1971.

The Ice Co° back a competitive handicap for the ninth year that denotes their support of Macmillan, a link that was cemented when company director Polly Marr rode in the Ride of Their Lives Race of 2013.

Yorkshire-based Land & Property Consultants Fordy Marshall wrap up the day by backing a second sprint over the six-furlong trip, though this time horses older than three can participate.

Macmillan Charity Day is part of a two-day meeting with racing on the Friday featuring a brace of the twenty-two contests at York to benefit from the backing of the European Breeders’ Fund.

The Newmarket-based organisation are joining with York Racecourse in celebrating June as “Pride” month, so the race title, branding, horserug and editorial all support the Racing With Pride, the body that champions the LGBTQ+ community in the sport.

The bloodstock powerhouse that is Juddmonte joins with the EBF on Friday in a valuable development race for fillies in their first year on the track.

The riders who are also learning their craft will feature in the apprentice race that gets Friday underway, generously backed by Constant Security.

Racegoers enjoying a comfy seat in the Champagne Pavilion or Premier Racing Lounge have the team at Andy Thornton Furniture to thank, the West Yorkshire firm putting their name to a fascinating handicap, for middle distance performers.

With an on-course presence on every Friday at York, Irish Thoroughbred Marketing sponsor a valuable handicap contest over the seven-furlong trip. The Collective Green Energy Rous Selling Stakes is the second race this season to be supported by the Thirsk business that specialises in solar panel and renewable energy advice. Then Goffs UK will bring the excitement of the Sales Ring to the Winner’s Enclosure with an auction straight after the race. 

The ‘Punters’ Panel’ takes place prior to racing on both days from the winner’s podium as a preview to the action on each day, while now eight giant screens will provide racegoers with an even closer view of proceedings on the track.

As part of a series of initiatives to get closer to the sport, groups of racegoers will be able to enjoy accompanied, complimentary trips to the round course starts conducted by Robert Earnshaw, a man who won the Gold Cup. On Saturday, they will also have the chance to meet the equine ambassador to the Knavesmire, Remy, a retired racehorse, courtesy of equine charity, New Beginnings.

True to York’s reputation, a bottle of champagne will be available for under £50. Other tastes are catered for with an extended range of craft beers including the Ebor IPA, a brew created by Theakstons just for the racegoers. Heineken 0.0 as a refreshing, zero alcohol option, with water available on a complimentary basis from all the main bars.

Musical accompaniment to the action will take the form of different bands; the Monotones performing with their upbeat covers from the Roberto Stage then Melrose Stage after racing, whilst Flat Cap Brass & Dr Jazz will entertain the crowds on the Edwardian Weighing Room Lawn.

Those wanting a reminder of their day can visit the flower wall or the 360-degree selfie camera.

As term ends, local students will be using the County Stand Garden on Friday, so this area and the wider Clocktower Enclosure may be busier than usual on a Friday.