On 20th August, I attended the Ebor Festival at York Racecourse for the very first time. Having never been to the races before, I’ll admit I never really understood the buzz around horse racing. It was never something I had been particularly interested in, and I wasn’t sure what to expect from the day.
How wrong I was. From the moment we arrived, I could see why people love going to the races. The atmosphere at York Racecourse was incredible, and I genuinely loved every moment of the experience. There was a real sense of excitement throughout the venue, with people dressed up, enjoying the day, placing their bets and getting behind the horses.
York Racecourse itself is an impressive venue. The racecourse is beautifully maintained, with a fantastic view of the track and plenty of space to watch the races. One of my favourite parts was being able to get close to the action and see the horses in the paddock before they raced. Seeing the horses up close was something I hadn’t expected to enjoy as much as I did.
There was also plenty of choice when it came to food and drink, with great bars and food areas spread throughout the course. There were ample betting stations for anyone wanting to have a flutter, while large screens across the venue meant you could still follow the races wherever you were.
The weather was definitely a factor during the day, as we experienced some rain. Thankfully, York Racecourse has plenty of sheltered areas, meaning you can still enjoy the atmosphere and watch the racing without necessarily getting soaked. The screens around the venue were also particularly useful when the weather made it less appealing to stand outside.
There are various ticket options available, with different tickets giving access to different areas of the venue. We had County Stand tickets, which gave us access to most areas and allowed us to make the most of what the racecourse had to offer.
Overall, my first experience at the races was absolutely delightful. What I originally thought might not be my kind of day turned out to be an incredible experience, and I can completely understand now why people look forward to the Ebor Festival every year.
It’s not just about watching horses race. It’s the atmosphere, the excitement, the food and drink, the social side of the day, and, of course, the perfect excuse to get dressed up and enjoy something a little different.
Would I go again? Absolutely.
My first day at York Races completely changed my opinion of horse racing, and I’m already looking forward to experiencing it again.
Review and Images by Theo Mayne @theomayne1
