JUNE RACING AT YORK ABANDONED AFTER RECORD RECENT RAINFALL
Following the unprecedented recent rainfall, officials at York Racecourse have been forced to take the very unusual step of abandoning racing for both days of the June Meeting, Friday June 15th and Saturday June 16th.
William Derby, Chief Executive and Clerk of the Course said;” We share the disappointment of all the connections of horses that were due to run and of the thousands of racegoers who had planned their trip to York. By 8am, Friday was already the wettest day we have had in June since our daily records began, and we had more rain in six hours than the whole of an average June. Some 50mm fell at the very worst time for us and on top of the heavy rain we had endured earlier in the week. It’s not just the large volume of water, it’s that it fell so close to the racedays and so didn’t give the ground time to dry out.”
The course has assured racegoers that those who booked in advance will have the option of a full refund or to transfer to a raceday later in the season such as the John Smith’s Cup meeting scheduled for Friday July 13th, and Saturday July 14th.
Given the busy time of year in the racing calendar, none of the specific races from the lost meeting will be rescheduled, however, there is still plenty to look forward to at York in the coming months with Music Showcase racedays and the excitements of the Ebor Festival in August still ahead.
As an indication of the severity of the rainfall, the track was last put in this position nearly ten years ago when heavy rainfall meant the loss of an October meeting. Looking to the future, Mr Derby concluded; “It’s ironic that this very month we have submitted plans to City of York Council to undertake a significant drainage project which we hope to complete ahead of the 2009 season. Should it be approved it will give us a better chance to avoid these disappointments in the future.”
Notes to Racegoers
In order to apply for a refund, racegoers are asked to return their unused tickets and badges to the racecourse within 28 days and the refund will be processed. The address to use is; “June Refunds, York racecourse, Knavesmire Rd. York YO23 1EX.
Details will be updated on the website; www.yorkracecourse.co.uk
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