The flat season at Doncaster has been anything but flat as the racecourse has enjoyed increased attendance at key fixtures throughout the summer months. The racecourse has today reported attendance of 187,505 (accurate as of 1 October 2019) an increase of 32,240 year on year.
With a headline artist every month between May-August; 2019 has been the summer of music for Doncaster Racecourse. Jess Glynne performed to a record-breaking music live crowd of 18,911 racegoers after racing in May, and Rita Ora followed suit will a captivating show to a crowd of 11,380 in June.
Town favorites and ska legends Madness transformed the racecourse into a near sell-out House of Fun in July, performing to 18,733 baggy trouser sporting visitors, and British Indie Rocks most celebrated band James, made for a memorable night in August, as lead singer Tim Booth surfed across a jubilant crowd of 11,457.
Speaking in January Executive Director Russell Smith said: “2019 is going to be an incredible year, not only do we have fantastic music acts performing live after racing, we will also be launching a range of new themed race days, and vibrant family fun days, there’s something to look forward to for everyone.”
Bumper Father’s Day crowds in June reveled in Dinocaster, as the racecourse transformed into a scene akin to that of Jurassic Park. Over 15,000 visitors joined in the dinosaur inspired extravaganza, and families were left captivated as T-Rex’s, Raptors and Spinosaurus’s roamed the racecourse.
Anticipation for Dinocaster was ripe, with event posts achieving 710k organic impressions on social media, prompting a rise in advance ticket sales of 35%, and an increase in on the day general admissions of 40%.
The highlight of the flat season is of course the William Hill St Leger Festival.
The racecourse team excelled in reinvigorating the World’s Oldest Classic, reaching record audiences. In the month of August alone social and digital marketing activity reached over 5m, and generated 33k web visits.
The repositioning of the St Leger Festival as ‘Yorkshire’s Classic’ has breathed new life into the event, welcoming 27,688 visitors on St Leger Saturday.
Russell Smith Executive Director said: “The flat season has been fantastic for the race course, and against the backdrop of our ever-increasing offering, I am pleased to report that visitors have continued to come in their droves to show support for Yorkshire’s Classic, which I am delighted to report has maintained attendance year or year."
Whilst the flat season is drawing to a close, the racecourse is gearing up for a Jumps season like no other, starting with the Return of the Jumps Beer Festival race day 29-30 November, featuring live music from the Cheaky Blinders the Official Tribute Band to the Peaky Blinders. So; grab your flat cap, shake off the threat of those winter blues and go racing, racing just got real!
