- New Moet Pavillion
- New weighing room
Just before I put up my fancies for York on Thursday here is a story from the York based newspaper The Press (Wednesday) about plans for the course which will be of great interest to many.
THE next phase of a £5 million masterplan for the future of York Racecourse has been unveiled, as the city’s 2013 racing season begins.
The first images have been produced of a proposed new weighing room at the Knavesmire sporting venue, which racecourse bosses say will be “fit for the 21st Century” and provide facilities which were not envisaged when the current Edwardian-era building came into use.
The racecourse already has planning permission for the first stage of a wider revamp, including moving its pre-parade ring and providing new saddling boxes, better vet facilities and a wash-down area. Once the new, larger weighing room and parade ring are completed, the space where their predecessors stood will be used to improve facilities for racegoers, through a new Champagne Pavilion and roof terrace.
A planning application for the second phase of work has been submitted to City of York Council, as part of the first major review of the course’s facilities for horses in a century. The development will also include more than 100 extra toilets and a facelift for the John Carr Stand, which dates from 1754, is the only Grade II*-listed building at a British racecourse and is said to be the world’s oldest sporting grandstand.
Tented canopies at the stand’s front would be replaced by a single “less intrusive” lightweight canopy. Moving a perimeter wall will free up extra land for improved facilities for horses, and arrangements are being made for this area to form part of the racecourse’s lease from the council.
“The external design of the new weighing room uses the trademark red, white and blue barber poles and metal fretwork already cherished in the Edwardian County Stand,” said a racecourse spokesman.
“It will have more space and enhanced facilities and will include a medical room, physiotherapy room, female riders’ changing room and a jockeys’ lounge, all features of the modern sport which were not considered when the current weighing room was built.
“The plans demonstrate improved viewing for racegoers as well as greater ease of movement for visitors and horses.”
Today’s York fancies:
1.45 York- Hazelrigg & Ponty Acclaim (e/w).
2.15 York- Emirates Queen (e/w).
2.45 York- Greatwood (e/w).
3.15 York- Navajo Chief & Brae Hill (e/w).
3.50 York- Polski Max (e/w).
4.25 York- Parbold & Soul Brother (e/w).
5.00 York- Cape Tribulation & Moidore (e/w).
Will it be a thumbs up for Cape today?
Have a good Thursday! 
