York

York Racecourse is a horse racing venue in York, North Yorkshire, England.

It is the third biggest racecourse in Britain in terms of total prize money offered, and second behind Ascot in prize money offered per meeting. It attracts around 360,000 racegoers per year and stages four of the UK's 38 annual Group 1 races – the Juddmonte International Stakes, the Nunthorpe Stakes, the Yorkshire Oaks and the City of York Stakes.

Racing is believed to have begun at the current site in 1731, although the history of racing in York goes back to the Roman era. The patronage of Charles Watson-Wentworth, 2nd Marquess of Rockingham led to great prosperity, with a grandstand designed by John Carr opened in 1754. The course saw some of the best horses of the 18th century but then faced a downturn in fortunes after public executions on the Knavesmire finished, although John Orton and R M Jaques turned the racecourse around during the 1840s. The course has since continuously been redeveloped and added to, although many historic structures, including some of Carr's grandstand, survive. The course served as a prisoner-of-war camp in World War II and has also deputised for other racecourses, including hosting Royal Ascot in 2005 and the 1945 and 2006 runnings of the St Leger Stakes. It has been visited by figures such as Pope John Paul II, Elizabeth II and many of the best racehorses of all time, including Frankel and Sea The Stars.

Opened

1731

Owner

York Racecourse Knavesmire LLP

Notable races

Dante Stakes · International Stakes · Yorkshire Oaks · Nunthorpe Stakes · City of York Stakes · Ebor Handicap

From Wikipedia: York Racecourse, CC BY-SA 4.0; the opening of the article, quoted as written.