A CROWD of almost 22,000 attended York Racecourse’s final meeting of the season at the weekend, taking the total attendance figure throughout 2016 to more than 347,000.

However the figure was down by 13,739 on the near record figure for 2015, when a concert by veteran singer Sir Tom Jones attracted a sell-out crowd, said spokesman James Brennan.

“Unfortunately, disappointing weather saw rain fall at both major festivals as well as on several Saturdays,” he said.

He added that the attendance on the Stand Side of the course had held firm with an all-time high, while the shortfall was caused by a smaller centre course picnic enclosure crowd.

And a total of 1,431 thoroughbreds have competed during the year for a record total of more than £7m in prize money, he said.

The chief executive and clerk of the course, William Derby, said: “What an incredible season 2016 has been.

“The quality of racing action at York has been tremendous and we are delighted that our continued investment in the track, facilities and record prize money has delivered such compelling and competitive racing action.

“Racegoers have seen some of the best horses and jockeys in the world compete on the Knavesmire with many of the standout thoroughbreds of the season having been part of the York story.”