Frequently Asked Questions

Premier Enclosure Dress Code
(This applies to all guests in the Premier Enclosure, including Restaurants and Private Hospitality Boxes.)

To help everyone enjoy their day in comfort and style, we kindly ask that guests follow our Premier dress code:

For Gentlemen:

• A collared shirt or a collared jacket over a t-shirt

• Smart trousers, jeans (no rips or tears) or tailored shorts

• Smart shoes or clean, smart trainers

• Jackets and ties are not required, but always welcome

For Ladies:

• Smart occasion wear is encouraged

• Many ladies choose to wear a hat or fascinator

We kindly ask that no sportswear, fancy dress, ripped or torn clothing, or mottle-dyed denim be worn. Our team reserves the right to refuse entry to anyone not dressed in keeping with the above guidelines.

Grandstand Enclosure Dress Code

There is no dress code in the Grandstand, Paddock and Picnic Enclosure.

We have two different enclosures, The Premier Enclosure and the Grandstand Paddock and Picnic Enclosure. The Premier Enclosure has prime grandstand viewing adjacent to the winning post, exclusive restaurant options, including fine dining and the most comprehensive bar choices with covered outside drinking lawns & a dress code!

It has plenty of seating and its own car park and entrance – you will step onto beautifully manicured lawns and pass by the colourful and picturesque parade ring. The Premier Enclosure has everything you need to make your day a special and memorable one at Thirsk Races.

The Grandstand Paddock and Picnic Enclosure is great if you’d like to bring your own picnic into the racecourse, however, there are food outlets and numerous bars in this area. The Grandstand Paddock and Picnic Enclosure does not have a dress code, and this is the most cost-effective enclosure for families where we also offer a Family Ticket from £25. All racegoers in both enclosures have access to view the horses in our Parade Ring in addition to a range of on-course bookies, Tote points and a William Hill shop.

Yes, we have a permanent playground, and always have bouncy castles and slides at every weekend race day. In addition to this we have four family days where we make sure there is plenty of children’s entertainment. Please see here for more information on our Family Days.

If you are unable to attend a Thirsk raceday, unfortunately we cannot offer any refunds. However, if you have pre-booked your ticket and cannot attend, we can exchange your e-ticket for an alternative with 24hrs notice of gates opening. If you have bought a badge and have it in hand, we will need to return it to use to enable us to apply the credit.

Picnics are only permitted into the Grandstand Paddock and Picnic Enclosure. No food or drink is to be brought into the Premier Enclosure.

All picnic items/drinks must only be consumed in the Picnic Area and must cannot be taken or consumed outside of this area.

Should you wish to bring alcohol to accompany your picnic, we allow four cans of beer/cider or one bottle of wine/fizz per person; NO SPIRITS ALLOWED – FIRST ENTRY ONLY! This must be brought in via the Picnic Entrance and can only be consumed in the picnic area. You can not bring anything through the Grandstand Paddock main entrance.

Please note bag searches will be made at management discretion.

You are welcome to take your own photographs for personal use, we do not however allow any photography for commercial use, with large commercial cameras.

Photography with mobile phones and small compact cameras is permitted on the Racecourse in all areas normally open to the public.

Racegoers entering the Racecourse grounds with a high-level camera equipment (any camera other than mobile phone or small point and shoot camera) must sign a daily photography permit, please contact the racecourse at least 24 hours before your visit.

Flash photography is not permitted in any circumstances.

Professional and press photographers wishing to attend a race meeting must contact the Racecourse for accreditation prior to arrival.

Should you require images of a particular horses if you are an owner with a runner, our race day photographer Hannah Ali is present at every race day and she can be contacted beforehand should you wish to arrange bespoke photography of your horse.

There are various Tote facilities throughout the racecourse. We also have two William Hill shops and a betting ring with many independent bookmakers accessible from both enclosures.

We want a raceday at Thirsk to be a place for everyone to enjoy. We actively support the RCA and Drink Aware’s Pace Yourself campaign – encouraging responsible drinking on a raceday to make sure you last the distance. Find out more about Drink Aware here but the message is simple – allow one soft drink to every alcoholic one. Anyone disregarding this advice that becomes drunk and disorderly will be immediately evicted with no refunds.

We are committed to making the racecourse an accessible and enjoyable day out for everyone. We are continuing to improve our accessibility facilities. For more information visit our Accessibility page.

You can, but we strongly advise you to book via our website in advance. It’s the easiest and cheapest way, and you’ll get your e-tickets instantly. Premier Badges and restaurant bookings will be posted within two weeks of the raceday.

Tickets and Badges will be available on the day subject to availability.

You will be emailed your e-tickets as soon as your purchase is complete. Please check your spam folder straight away as it can often find itself in there. We advise you either move your email to a safe place or print your tickets immediately.

We do not allow barbecues to be brought into the enclosure for the safety of all racegoers.

We do not allow dogs onto the racecourse at any time unless it is a registered assistance dog for the deaf or blind. Please note Thirsk Racecourse do not permit ‘companion dogs’. Please be responsible and do not bring your dog and leave them in the car – especially on hot days.

We have free car parking on site for all racegoers and the public car parks are well signposted and within very close proximity to the racecourse. Only when purchasing a Park and View ticket are racegoers permitted to park within the Racecourse. Please note – no vehicle can be left overnight and we do not allow motorhomes in either the Premier Car Park on on our Park and View ticket.

Vehicles entering the Park and View area that obstruct other racegoers’ views will be asked to park towards the back of the parking area.

Find out more information on parking

Yes, all under 18s are welcome free of charge when accompanied by an adult, you can add a free under 18’s e-ticket when you place your booking online. Should you require a restaurant or dining package for a child, please contact The Racecourse Office on 01845 522276  or info@thirskracecourse.net

We do not permit gazebos, tents or any other temporary structure to be erected on the racecourse grounds for the safety and enjoyment of all racegoers.

Unfortunately, cars cannot be left in any of the Racecourse car parks overnight.

Yes, we accept cash or card throughout the Racecourse. This includes all catering outlets, bars and Tote betting facilities. Please note, we no longer have a cash machine on site. The nearest one is approx 500m away at the Tesco Supermarket opposite the racecourse.

Abandonment Policy

Unfortunately, as with most outdoor pursuits, horseracing occasionally finds itself subject to adverse weather conditions and as such Thirsk operates a fair abandonment policy in order to manage these occasions, which is as follows:

• Before the 1^st race – Full refund
• Before the 3^rd race – 50% refund
• After the 3^rd race – No refund.

In the event of abandonment, no refunds will be issued on the day.

All refund applications must be claimed by writing to the racecourse office within 14 days of the date of the meeting.  Please return your tickets or badges, with the name and address of who is to receive the refund and provide details as to how they were originally purchased.

Please note that if you have purchased advance packages which include catering, this element cannot be refunded.

The terms and conditions of entry can be found here  Terms and Conditions of Entry (All Attendees)