THE Thirsk and Hambleton area of North Yorkshire has been synonymous with the sport of racing for almost three centuries, and today Thirsk is a thriving racecourse which stages 13 days per year on the Flat, between April and September.

Although racing took place in the Hambleton area from as long ago as 1612, it was in 1855 that the first meeting was staged on the present site, using land owned by Squire Frederick Bell. Last year Thirsk celebrated its 150th anniversary of racing on the present site on Station Road.

The season begins with the traditional two-day meeting on Friday and Saturday, April 21 and 22, while highlights of the forthcoming campaign include The totesport.

com Thirsk Hunt Cup (Saturday, May 6), and The Hambleton Cup at the season's final meeting (Saturday, September 2).

The founder of Lord's Cricket Ground, probably the most famous cricket venue in the world, Thomas Lord, once again has a race named in his honour to commemorate his birth at Thirsk in 1755.

The fixture list for 2006 contains six Saturday meetings, including a Saturday evening, May 13, one of the four evening cards scheduled this year .

ADMISSION PRICES: Club, £16 (collared shirt and tie required for gentlemen); Tattersalls, £11 (pensioners £6); Family Ring, £4 (pensioners £3). Cars parking in the Family Ring (including up to four adults and all children) £16; Accompanied children under-16 - free to all enclosures. Concessions for pre-booked parties. Car and coach parking is free.

ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP: Single £125; joint £200; member and guest £230; junior (aged 17- 21) £65.

HOW TO GET THERE: By car - the course is west of Thirsk town centre on the A61 to Ripon (Station Road). By rail - Thirsk Station is half a mile away. By air - helicopters by arrangement on (01845) 522276). Fixed wing aircraft can land at RAF Leeming (01677) 423041. Light aircraft at Bagby, three miles away (01845) 597385.

FACILITIES FOR DISABLED: Disabled racegoers can view the action from a designated area near the Winning Post. Toilets are also available.

DESCRIPTION OF TRACK: A left-handed, oval course of a mile and a quarter, with fairly tight turns and an undulating run-in of four furlongs. Sprint races of five and six furlongs are run over the straight extension of the runin. The course is quite sharp and suits speedy types.

EFFECT OF DRAW: High numbers are usually favoured in sprints when the going is fast.

FAMILY FACILITIES: Children's entertainment, mainly in the Family Ring on most racedays.

TRAINERS TO WATCH: Bryan Smart, Kevin Ryan.

JOCKEYS TO WATCH: Kevin Darley, Fergal Lynch Tony Culhane.

FIXTURES FOR 2006: April 21, 22; May 6 (totesport Day - Thirsk Hunt Cup); 13 ( evening), 20; June 5 (evening), 20; July 4 (evening Ladies Night) 28; August 4 (Family Day), 5,14 (evening); September 2 (Hambleton Cup).

FURTHER INFORMATION: Thirsk Racecourse Ltd, Station Road, Thirsk, North Yorkshire, YO7 1QL. Tel. (01845) 522276, fax (01845) 525353. Manager and Clerk of the Course - Christopher Tetley; sponsorship and marketing manager - Gaynor Garrity. E-mail: info@thirskraces. fsnet. co. uk. Website: www. thirskracecourse.

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