Yorkshire YATTER

Lisa Byrne highlights why our county is well and truly at the races

Ihave just spent a glorious adrenalinefuelled few days at York Racecourse’s Dante Festival, and there’s truly nothing more euphoric than sipping a glass of fizz while cheering on your horse as it gallops past the finishing line. Sadly, I didn’t have much luck with the gee-gees, but the atmosphere at the course was electric and even a bundle of screwed up betting slips couldn’t dent my enthusiasm.

If you’re a racing fanatic or just enjoy a day out socialising in the sun, there’s no better county in the UK for racing. Each year, Yorkshire stages an incredible 180 days of the sport of kings across nine racecourses ranging from Pontefract –boasting the longest race in the calendar – to Doncaster, which hosts historic St Leger, and the stunning York course with its world-famous Ebor Festival in August.

One of my favourite racing moments was back in the Diamond Jubilee year 2012, when my husband and I were invited to the Royal Stand next to The Royal Box for the Epsom Derby. We were surrounded by landed gentry tucking into complimentary Champagne and delicious food – and when we strolled out onto the balcony we could see Her Majesty, our late Queen, studying the form. I was sat next to racehorse owner and TV presenter Jeremy Kyle who surprised me by being a total gentleman – far removed from his brash TV persona –and thankfully refrained from asking any of the royals to do a DNA test! Racing can also be a great form of therapy. The day after I was diagnosed with grade three cancer in March 2013, I jumped into a friend’s car down to The Cheltenham Festival for the Gold Cup. The combination of world-class jump racing, a few glasses of Guinness and the raucous craic lifted my spirits – though I may have been in diagnosis denial!

This August, I’m thrilled to be on the judging panel at Ebor Fashion Lawn in York where women, men and children will parade in their finery on the green catwalk. It’s going to be a tough job, but I will channel my inner Anna Wintour – hopefully without the scowl and sunglasses.

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My highlights for the month of July…

Throwing on a toga and sandals for the Roman Festival in York’s Museum Gardens.

• Spritzing myself with the gorgeous new summer fragrance, Roses for Keats, by artisans of natural beauty Bath House.

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Smearing on the 80s eye shadow to watch the synth-pop band The Human League – part of the Music Showcase Weekend at York Racecourse.

• Keeping cool during the warm nights in a coral shell cropped pyjama set by Cyberjammies.