Beverley Racecourse: A Hidden Gem
Almost £1 million in Prize Money Plus Extensive Renovation Work Boosts Beverley Racecourse’s 2015 Season
Whether you’re looking for an action packed day of excitement and thrills with a dash of glamour, or a family friendly day of fresh air and fun, Beverley Racecourse combines all throughout its forthcoming flat racing season. One of the North’s most picturesque racecourses gets the season off to a great start in April with a programme of varied events for everyone and a record for the track in 2015 - nearly £1 million in prize money.
The Race Company operates independently, and profit made in previous years is rolled back into improving facilities and prize money, with a very clear focus on delivering visitors to Beverley and East Yorkshire. The new 2015 season showcases the Racecourse at its best, with £650,000 of investment including the refurbishment of two stunning new Premier Enclosure bars, featuring the unique addition of reclaimed seaside carousel horses. This building work is phase one of a two year project that will see the entire Premier Enclosure redesigned and refurbished by 2016, a project that has been entirely worked on by Yorkshire based tradesmen using Yorkshire sourced products. Investment over the winter has also seen the addition of a new digital information screen for racegoers, which will be used in partnership with the East Riding of Yorkshire Council.
The uplift in prize money should solicit the most competitive racing the Westwood has seen, and the race programme once again includes the prestigious Hilary Needler Trophy for two year old fillies, which now moves to a new slot on Saturday 23 May. This race is traditionally used by trainers nationwide to prepare their very best fillies for a debut at Royal Ascot, and the calendar movement has been made with this in mind; meanwhile a new evening meeting has been created on the 16th June which will be sponsored by top-class champagne brand Laurent-Perrier.
The season starts as it means to go on with the Season Opener on Wednesday 15 April (1.55pm) followed by Afternoon Racing on Thursday 23 April (1.55pm). The first major event is the May Day Raceday on Monday 4 May (12.30pm) – a family day perfect for all ages, that celebrates May Bank Holiday and the Tour de Yorkshire, which passes through Beverley on Saturday 2nd May. Tuesday 12 May (2.25pm) sees more racing action for an Afternoon’s Racing with the merry month of May closing with the major event for spring, A Very British Raceday, on Saturday 23 May (2pm) which combines racing, music and fun, including a Very British Singalong after racing. A place where Union Jacks are ‘de rigeur’ and you can toast the very best of British. See the attached for a full programme of events.
The big countdown to The Journal Ladies' Day also starts imminently, with an exciting launch on 11th April at the finale of Hull Fashion Week. An Andalusian stallion will be painted by locally born designer to the stars, Lara Jenson, before parading through the streets of Hull, arriving at the City Hall at 1.30 pm. For more information on Hull Fashion Week, visit www.hullfashion.co.uk.
Sally Iggulden, Chief Executive said “The latest work undertaken by the Race Company is perhaps the most exciting in recent years. Not only will it provide some of the smartest facilities for racegoers, but it will also allow the Racecourse to be used throughout the year as a wedding, conference and party venue. We are rightfully proud that the success of the racecourse in recent times has allowed us to invest so heavily not only in our facilities, but in the prize money we offer to participants in our sport. We continue to improve the racing programme, which attracts the support of the very best trainers and jockeys”.
Gary Verity, Chief Executive of Welcome to Yorkshire adds: “Beverley Racecourse is one of the hidden gems of East Yorkshire, showcasing some of the best racing in the north. This year, the picturesque town of Beverley plays its own part in the Tour de Yorkshire and combined with this year's fantastic prize fund and the completion of phase 1 of its refurbishment work, this unique racecourse is truly a major player in the country's flat racing scene. With facilities to match its reputation and its views, I wholeheartedly recommend it as the perfect destination, whether you're a horse racing aficionado or looking for a great day out.”
Beverley Racecourse is also the current holder of the Judges' Choice accolade at the 2014 National Racecourse Catering Awards, awarded at a lavish ceremony in Newmarket, and the food offering in the new facilities includes Yorkshire Tapas served on reclaimed oak boards. This will be complimented by a new partnership with the Laurent-Perrier Champagne house, who will operate the new Champagne Bar in association with the renowned caterers CGC Events.
Ends
Notes to Editors:
For the first year, Beverley Racecourse will be working with major sponsor Laurent-Perrier, and this year, their colours bedeck horses on site, but not as you might imagine. For a sneak peek and the inside track on what the team at Beverley Racecourse have been working on during the closed season, contact Kendra Grahame-Clarke at Kendra PR.
Beverley Racecourse is a flat Racecourse set just outside the historic town of Beverley, with 19 flat race fixtures in 2015 running to 22 September. Further details are available at www.beverley-racecourse.co.uk. The Racecourse Beverley, York Road, Beverley, East Yorkshire, HU17 8QZ.
Tel 01482 867488.
MEDIA CONTACT
For more information and a selection of images and media passes, please contact Kendra Grahame-Clarke at Kendra PR on 07910 214474 kendra@kendrapr.co.uk or corrie@kendrapr.co.uk. For Racecourse enquiries, please contact Kate McKee, Marketing Manager at Beverley Racecourse on 01482 867488. Please access the Dropbox Media Pack for information and images. https://www.dropbox.com/sh/uxj3l0esmzfqrv7/AADnF35VwKsrzw7adY9fjVKqa?dl=
Beverley Racecourse 2015 Season: At A Glance
Season Opener Wednesday 15 April 1.55pm
Afternoon Racing Thursday 23 April 1.55pm
May Day Raceday Monday 4 May TBC 12.30pm
Afternoon Racing Tuesday 12 May 2.25pm
A Very British Raceday Saturday 23 May 2pm
Afternoon Racing Wednesday 10 June 2pm
The Laurent Perrier Evening of the Horse Tuesday 16 June 6.15pm
Afternoon Racing Tuesday 23 June 2.15pm
The Big Racing Weekender Friday 3 July 6.30pm
The Big Racing Weekender Saturday 4 July 1.55pm
Afternoon Racing Tuesday 14 July 2pm
Go Racing in Yorkshire, Summer Festival Night Monday 20 July 6.30pm
Family Fun Day, featuring the Frozen Experience Tuesday 28 July 2.25pm
The Journal Ladies’ Day Wednesday 12 August 2.10pm
Afternoon Racing Thursday 13 August 2.30pm
Beverley Bullet Raceday Saturday 29 August 2.20pm
A Sunday Hop Sunday 30 August 1.55pm
Afternoon Racing Wednesday 16 September 2pm
Season Closer Tuesday 22 September 2.10pm
Beverley Racecourse Ticket Hotline: 01482 867488 or contact Kendra PR for press access.
Kendra PR m. 07910 214474 t. 01904 234 752 e.kendra@kendrapr.co.uk or corrie@kendrapr.co.uk
