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Children at the Races

Wetherby are a family-friendly Racecourse, and even on a quiet raceday there is always lots going on for families with children to see and do.

Accompanied children aged 17 and under are admitted to all of our enclosures completely free of charge!   Tickets may be added to your booking on pre-order, or you can turn up on the day.  We ask that you pre-order if possible as it helps us understand how many children attend our racedays.  Thank you.

Baby Changing

Every enclosure has baby-change facilities and we also have a dedicated Parenting Room within the Paddock Enclosure, equipped with a sink, microwave, highchair and baby change. The room also has some comfy seating for Mum’s and Dad’s who want to sit in a quiet area to feed their baby together with low level furniture, books and games to keep toddlers amused while they wait.

Food & Drink

The Racecourse offers many food and drink options for families and children. Freshly prepared sandwiches, toasties, cakes and muffins are available, as well as a range of hot meals. There is an old fashioned Sweet Shop within the Paddock Enclosure and a Charlotte’s Real Yorkshire Ice-Cream Van is in attendance every raceday. All of our bars and catering outlets serve water, as well as soft drinks.

We welcome children within the White Rose and Dine & View Restaurant, and smaller portions and/or a Kids Menu are both available.

The Racecourse policy does not permit racegoers to bring their own food and drink into the Premier or Paddock Enclosures; however we do permit snacks and drinks for small children.

Ideas to keep the children amused

Make sure you purchase a racecard and have a pen handy, then visit the Parade Ring prior to each race. Ask the children to look out for each horse by number and cross them off in the Racecard as they come past.

Discuss the jockey’s silks and colours as the jockeys come out of the weighing room, and ask the children to match the jockey with their horse by matching their silk colours with the ones in the racecard.

Racegoers under 18 are not able to place a bet by law, but you can still allow the children to join in the fun by selecting their favourite by name or colour. Older children can use the odds and SP’s as a maths test.

You can watch the race via different vantage points but make sure you go down to the rails close to the last fence so you can experience the thunder of the hooves as they fly past.

Bring some binoculars with you so the children can spot the horses on the back straight.

Ask the children to mark the racecard with the winning and placed horses of each race.

There is plenty of outdoor space for children to let off steam and you can also cross to the Centre of Course where there is a small swing and slide set.

Family Focused Racedays

We welcome children to the races every fixture, however additional entertainment to the racing is not always provided, aside from the live music that we always have within the Paddock Enclosure on our Feature and Feature Plus racedays.

We do have a variety of Family-focused entertainment on the following racedays during our season:

The William Hill Yorkshire Christmas Meeting – 26th & 27th December – This meeting is traditionally where families get together at Christmas, so there are always lots of children on-course on both days.  We have live music and acts, and a circus-skills workshop, so there is plenty to keep the whole family entertained.

William Hill Towton Medieval Raceday celebrates 1461 and the Battle of Towton. As well as an exciting jumps card we also have a Medieval Living History encampment, with battle and weapon displays, archery, birds of prey, authentic medieval music and more.  This Saturday fixture takes place at the end of January or beginning of February annually.

a dedicated Family Raceday provides a wealth of additional fun things for the children to do. The Mascot Gold Cup, attracts mascot characters from all over the UK, and in 2015 clinched a World Record for the biggest organised charity Mascot Race, with over 130 participants. The Centre of Course enclosure hosts some large inflatables, a petting zoo, and barrel train ride – all of which are completely free for the children to play. There is also a climbing tower and fun-fair which charge a small fee per ride.

 

 

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The Wetherby Steeplechase Committee Ltd,
The Racecourse, York Road, Wetherby,
West Yorkshire, LS22 5EJ

Tel. 01937 582 035
Fax. 01937 588 021

© Wetherby Racecourse 2024

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