A Day at York Racecourse: More Than Just A Day Out
York Racecourse: Horse Racing done right
My personal take on why I love going racing at York Racecourse by Oli Harris.
In my profession, I have been lucky enough to go to a lot of sports venues and events, and in particular, racecourses.
Some sporting venues have an imposing presence as a great mecca of their respective sports, like Lords or Cheltenham.
Then there are venues that really pull you into the whole experience. A day out yes, but a very specific day out that is unique to that venue. A case in point, for me, is York Racecourse.
York Races - A well-rehearsed routine
One thing that has to happen without fail, on a race day at York, is that I need to get to King Cross Station and on the fast train to York, which takes just over 2 hours.
These two hours are time for me to study the form, attempt to pick some winners and generally start getting excited about the day. I try to get an earlyish train so I am in York before 11 am.
My first stop is my hotel, which is always the Grand Hotel, which I really like. The rooms are very spacious and it really does bring you back to the days of the vast old station hotels.
After I have dropped my kit off I jump in a taxi and head to the racecourse.
As you walk down the sloped road towards the racecourse entrance, the fluttering of flags on your left is muted by the sound of the expectant crowd, marching towards their grand day out with expectation and enchantment in equal measure.
Depending on which stand I am in, I generally head under the bridge and go to collect my badges. Once tied on I’m ready for another day at the office. (It’s tough).
York - A Grand day out
If I’m lucky enough to have badges for a box, I’ll head to either the Ebor, Melrose or Knavesmire Stand, but not until I have done a walk around. My favourite part of a day’s racing is walking around the entire venue when I first get there, generally looking for some familiar faces to get some tips from!
I like doing this for several reasons, but mainly to see if I bump into anyone I know, and also to see what innovations or new features have been added to the course since my last visit.
At York I like wandering past the busy champagne bar that is adjacent to the parade ring, full of happy souls in their summer outfits, enjoying the sun and drinking in the atmosphere. York does this particularly well.
The terrace drinking area could almost be a hotel terrace, it is spacious enough to sit and drink without feeling like you are in surrounded by people.
This may also have something to do with the type of crowd, which I find on the whole is a lot more respectful than a lot of other racecourses.
You obviously get one or two that can’t handle their drink but on the whole, it is a pleasant experience.
I normally have a quick beer whilst walking around to get me in the mood, until I head to my base for the day. I will put my head into the parade ring, which is wonderfully close to the stands, and as usual, at that point, will frown at the betting choices I made earlier that day.
Whilst watching various horses finish ahead of my own picks, I spend the day talking with friends and colleagues and enjoying the wonderful hospitality that York provides.
The views from the stands are just amazing, and the racing at both festivals I go to, The Ebor Festival and the Dante, is of the highest quality.
The great thing about York Racecourse is its size. It is small enough to feel intimate but there is still a feeling of space. The view over the Knavesmire really is something to behold as well.
It doesn’t end there
There are a few ways things can go after racing has finished… depending on how social the day has been, I will head off to the hotel for a bit of room service and a well-deserved swim and spa.
More likely, is that the merriment continues somewhere, either at the Knavesmire or The Winning Post before heading into town for dinner. I can highly, highly recommend Delrios, which I always go to whether slightly worse for wear, or the following day.
A night on the town usually follows, and I really do enjoy a night out in York. It just has something about it.
The morning after the night before
I tend not to get up too early, and I never book an early train. I use the spa at the hotel to revive myself and grab breakfast before heading out to see things I haven’t seen before.
There is a lot to do in York, this list of things you can do would be a good place to start if you were thinking about it. I like the Minster and walking around the old part of the city.
After I have had enough fresh air it’s time to head back down South, and away from one of my favourite sporting venues, and one of my favourite places to visit.
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