Dante Festival: over £1.5million on offer this week

Her Majesty The Queen has agreed to be the Royal Patron of Racecourse.

Both The King and The Queen have a keen interest in both racing and breeding, with the bloodstock interests of the late Queen Elizabeth II having passed into their joint ownership.

This latest role builds on existing links to the sport for Her Majesty, notably as Patron of the National Stud as well as being President of the Ebony Horse Club, a riding charity in Brixton, London.

As the then Duchess of Cornwall, there was a royal presence at York to watch the Ralph Beckett-trained

Pacify

finish in second place at the Dante Festival in 2016. Pacify entered the Knavesmire Winner’s Enclosure at the July meeting in 2018, bookended by second-placed finishes in the Queen Mother’s Cup in June and at the Ebor Festival.

York Racecourse Chair Bridget Guerin said: “We are both honoured and thrilled that Her Majesty has agreed to be the Royal Patron of York. Her well-known support of equestrian sports over many years so very much appreciated by everyone involved. We have been privileged to host Royal visits in the past and very much look forward to welcoming Her Majesty back to York."

Action for the 2024 season at York Racecourse gets underway with the three-day Dante Festival starting this Wednesday, with prize money of over £1.5million on offer.

Over the course of the new season at York, the Southern End Development will be opened, intended to improve the experience of the Grandstand & Paddock racegoer. The £5million upgrade will see the opening of the Roberto Pavilion in May. By the time of the Official Opening at the Sky Bet Ebor Festival in August, wrought iron gates that remember Yorkshire Owner-Breeder Reg Bond, the Churchill Tyres Lawn & Canopy as well as an improved Theakston Bar, new William Hill Betting Shop plus additional toilets, will all be added.

As ever, York put great store on offering reasonably priced and locally-sourced food and drink and a bottle of house champagne will be just £43 for the new season.

For more details of tickets and special offers ahead of the new season, head to