BEHIND THE SCENES All week, we’ll be going behind the scenes. Click here to see how the brilliant grey, Art Power is doing before today’s feature.
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THE RAY GILPIN AWARD
RAY GILPIN (1942-2015)
FOR THE TOP JOCKEY OF THE WELCOME TO YORKSHIRE EBOR FESTIVAL
This award remembers Ray Gilpin, a popular figure in both the Weighing Room & Press Room who sadly passed away in 2015. A proud welshman, you’ll notice the armband worn by the rider in front, is in scarlet. The colour of the scarf that Ray always wore to the races. Andrea Atzeni and Joe Fanning lead the way with two victories each after day two, but with 14 races still to run, the title is still up for grabs.
CARING FOR THE HORSES AT YORK RACECOURSE
Looking after the horses is a priority at York and every raceday there is a team of experienced equine vets on constant call. Much of their work is done before racing actually starts, being on hand to check horses over and reassure connections. As part of the Northern End Development the vets have their own office, a large treatment box and a dedicated “stock box” to help them assess and treat the stars of our show. If there is an incident during a race, prompt attention to horse and rider is provided by the modern ambulances, you will see them parked by the track, ready for a rapid response. Like most courses York will often use green screens during an incident, these offer privacy to those involved and their presence does not necessarily signify bad news. Keeping cool is important to a racehorse so you might see them using the horse showers in the new wash down area or the cold water provided in the parade ring and at every start. If you spot a mist cloud behind the saddling boxes that means the horses are benefiting from the cooling power of the special water-misting fans. If a horse loses a shoe or ‘spreads a plate’, then there is a farrier at every start, as well as in their dedicated box by the pre parade ring, to put it right and let the racing commence. Remember a farrier shoes horses, a blacksmith makes gates or the impressive fretwork on the front of the future Weighing Room. As you enjoy your meeting, you can rest assured the horses are being well cared for by the racecourse team and their own dedicated stable staff. 22
