Stunning Ripon Racecourse is still 'looking fantastic' despite extreme UK heatwave

Ten thousand people will be flocking to the racecourse to Ripon Racecourse this weekend for the annual race that bears the name of the city’s patron saint.

Tomorrow, Saturday, August 15, The William Hill/MND Association Great St Wilfrid Handicap, will be, the principal race of the day at this stunning location with a whopping £51,540 for the winner.

In total, prize money of £100,000 will be up for grabs for the St Wilfrid Gold Cup at Ripon Racecourse, which first opened at its Boroughbridge Road site in 1900.

In spite of the prolonged heatwave that has baked gardens, fields and parkland across the country, grounds staff have ensured that the Ripon track has a lush green layer of grass, while also living up to its name of Yorkshire’s Garden Racecourse, with floral displays on the grandstand and around the tree-lined parade ring looking fantastic.

Ripon Racecourse's new head groundsman, Tom Pemberton, said: “The team has done a great job here and we are helped by the fact that we have very good irrigation system that draws water from an on-site borehole.” (Picture Tim Flanagan Rejoicing in Ripon Blog for Ripon BID)

With no forecast rain, Saturday’s seven-race card looks set to be run on good to firm going and the Great St Wilfrid Handicap, sponsored by William Hill for the 33rd consecutive year, has 15 declared runners, headed by topweight Aramram from the Richard Hannon stable carrying 9-12.

Newly-appointed head groundsman, Tom Pemberton, who was formerly at Pontefract Racecourse, said: “The team has done a great job here and we are helped by the fact that we have very good irrigation system that draws water from an on-site borehole.”

The St Wilfrid Gold Cup, which is contested over a distance of two miles, first took place at a course north of the River Ure in 1839.

It was the first to carry the name of the city’s patron saint and is part of the roots of racing in Ripon that run deep.

"Yorkshire's Garden Racecourse" - A large crowd is anticipated for Saturday's Great St Wilfrid meeting at Ripon Racecourse. (Picture Ripon Races)

Historical records dating back to 1664 show that there was a racecourse on Borrage Green and, in 1675, races were taking place at Bishop Monkton.

Leeds-headquartered bookmaker William Hill raised £30,000 last year to support people with Motor Neuron Disease.

In total, it has donated more than £500,000 to the charity.

Gates open at 11am on Saturday. First race: 1.45pm Last race: 5.05pm