Ladies’ Day should be the Thirsk of many

Yorkshire course proves a big hit

The ITV Racing cameras were absent, the British weather may have proved that form was temporary (pun intended), but that didn’t prevent Ladies’ Day at Thirsk being an absolute blast.

Oh, and winners were few and far between, but we’re not in the business of going to the races for the money, are we?

Not one of the 28-strong coach party I’d arrived with had visited this much-overlooked Yorkshire town before, and there were plenty of seasoned racing fans on board. Still, when you’re greeted by the band striking up with a classic like The Eagles‘ Take It Easy, you kind of know you’re in for a good day.

There were eight races to be run in total, although we were due to miss the final instalment due to “transport logistics”, let’s say. However, as you probably guessed, that wasn’t bad news for our bank balances. Rory the Cat proved to be more of a lame duck, as Masterpainter took the honours in the 1.40 – still, onwards and upwards as they say. All the races ranged from seven furlongs to just over a mile, so Thirsk was a cert to be entertaining if nothing else.

But as Mystic Pearl shone through in the 2.15, with Headabovetherest living up to its 50/1 pricetag, the sky opened up and left those who’d been praying for a drop of rain all summer to regret their decision. Showers or not, bets had to go on, but no sooner had one or two of us made our way to the course bookies with brollies borrowed from kind strangers, than the pouring paused and the sun broke out (albeit temporarily): cue one heck of a collective cheer.

This meant that the competition for best dressed lady and gentleman contest could now get underway. After a great deal of deliberation (I’m assuming), it was a case of peaky fascinators meets Peaky Blinders taking the honours. Congratulations to them, but as for me it was a case of “let’s eat”. The choice of food stalls isn’t always amazing at racecourses, it has to be said, but here at Thirsk the selection was pretty impressive.

With burrito in hand (yes, you read that right) I made my way back trackside. As the losers were still coming thick and fast, I was getting more and more into this slice of Hispanic heaven I was holding. Spicy beef, smashed avocado, guacamole – you name it, this had it. Up until this point I’d been a burrito virgin, but I’d surely just been introduced to the best this side of Guadalajara. This is in no way supposed to be a restaurant review in disguise, but a Yorkshire burrito? On this evidence, they’ll catch on in no time.

Speaking of wraps, as Flamborough limped home in the 17.10, that was our lot as far as races were concerned. The short walk back to the coach was certainly with lighter pockets, but undoubtedly with fuller hearts. Ladies’ Day at Thirsk may not be anywhere near as illustrious as its Royal Ascot counterpart, but it’s still one of the most worthwhile visits you’ll make as a spectator of sport.

So as the ride back down the A1 beckoned, the safest bet of the entire day was that this trip certainly wouldn’t be the last. Whether that’s for Ladies’ Day, Wacaday or any day you care to mention at all, North Yorkshire doesn’t know how lucky it is.