Ripon stages Go Racing festival opener

Now in its ninth year, the festival celebrates eight days of superb horse racing and entertainment at the county’s Flat racetracks.

It moves to Redcar tomorrow which is 1940s Revival Day, supporting Help For Heroes.

Carnival Night at Beverley takes place on Monday featuring samba dancers, the New York Band and Rio-inspired carnival floats with live drummers.

Catterick plays host to a relaxed summer afternoon of racing on Wednesday while there is evening action at Doncaster on Thursday.

A double header on Friday sees Thirsk host the afternoon’s racing, while the evening action will take place in York, followed by a live performance from Sir Tom Jones. The Sky Bet York Stakes is the main race on Knavesmire on Saturday – Boyzone perform afterwards – before the festival ends on Sunday week with a family day at Pontefract.

Michael Shinners of Sky Bet said: “The Go Racing In Yorkshire Summer Festival continues to go from strength to strength and Sky Bet is delighted to be extending its sponsorship for a further three years.”