Pontefract

This very popular course stages three evening meetings and three Sunday fixtures geared towards providing top-class action and entertainment for the whole family.

The first recorded meeting at Pontefract took place in 1801, although there is documentary evidence to suggest that racing in the area started before that date, even during the time of the Civil War.

The course is considered the longest continuous Flat racing track in Europe, and possibly the world.

In fact, Britain's longest handicap race on the Flat, The Pontefract Marathon Handicap, is featured on the second day of the season, April 24.

The 17th annual Northern Racing College Charity Day is on Wednesday, May 3, while the 14th annual Red Shirt Night - a charity meeting raising money for The Injured Jockeys' Holiday Fund, is on the evening of Friday, July 21.

Pontefract's programme includes four Listed races, The Weatherbys Bank Pipalong Stakes (June 12), the second running of The Pontefract Castle Stakes (June 25), The Slatch Farm Stud Flying Fillies' Stakes (August 20), and The Silver Tankard Stakes (October 16).

ADMISSION PRICES: Club £18; Paddock £12, (pensioners £9); Silver Ring £6 (pensioners £3); Third Enclosure £4 Car to Third Enclosure £10 (maximum of 4 adults). Family ticket (two adults and two children into the Paddock Enclosure) for the three Sunday meetings is £15 (a saving of £9). Special rates for pre-booked parties in the Club and Paddock Enclosure. Accompanied under16s free into all enclosures. Car and coach parking is free.

ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP: Single £160; Joint £215 - husband and wife, or partners living at same address.

HOW TO GET THERE: By car - the course entrance is half a mile from Junction 32 of the M62, which is close to the intersection of the A1. By rail - Pontefract is served by three stations: Monkhill, Tanshelf, and Baghill.

FACILITIES FOR DISABLED: Car parking near enclosures. Lifts and toilets in Club and Paddock enclosures. Toilets and viewing facilities in all enclosures.

DESCRIPTION OF TRACK: A left-handed oval, undulating course of two miles with a short run-in of two furlongs and a stiff uphill finish of three furlongs.

EFFECT OF DRAW: Low numbers favoured in sprints, except on soft ground when the trend is often reversed.

CHILDREN'S FACILITIES: A large play area is located in the Third Ring.

A creche is available on Sundays and Aug 9. There is a funfair at all three Sunday meetings.

TRAINERS TO WATCH: Mark Johnston, Tim Easterby.

LEADING JOCKEYS: R Winston, K Darley.

FIXTURES FOR 2006: April 4, 24 (Pontefract Marathon Handicap); May 3 (Northern Racing College Charity Day), 26 (evening); June 12 (Irish night -Pipalong Stakes), 25 (totesport Family Sunday); July 3 (Ladies Day),11, 21 (evening - Red Shirt Night), 30 (Family Sunday); August 9, 20 (Family Sunday - Slatch Farm Stud Flying Fillies Stakes); September 14, 21; October 2 (Trinidad and Tobago Day), 16 (totesport Silver Tankard Stakes).

HOSPITALITY FACILITIES: Boxes: (01977) 781307.

FURTHER INFORMATION: Pontefract Park Race Company Ltd, 33 Ropergate, Pontefract, West Yorkshire, WF8 1LE. Telephone (01977) 781307. Fax (01977) 781333.

General Manager, Secretary and Clerk of the Course - Norman Gundill. E-mail info@pontefract-races. co. uk Website: www. pontefract-races. co. uk