The Racecourse Prices Index: how did Pontefract do on its big day?

In the Racecourse Prices Index (RPI) we report from Britain and Ireland's racetracks on the cost of going racing.

Racecourse report: entry, food and pint prices from Pontefract

Date visited: Sunday, June 19, 2022

The picnic enclosure was crowded two and a half hours before the first race at PontefractCredit: David Carr

Was it a big day?

The richest of the year and ITV's first visit since 1970. The latest Sky Bet Sunday Series card had £225,000 in prize-money and featured a £77,500 Listed race. That's before you even get to the Yorkshire pudding throwing competition, whippet racing and three (yes three) performances by the Flat Cap brass band. So yes.

How much was entry on the gate?

Premier enclosure £25 (£20 for OAPs and students); Grandstand and paddock £18 (£13); Picnic enclosure £7 (£4). £2 discount on all rates if booked in advance (bar concessions in picnic).

Card and cash payments were accepted on the day and in bars and restaurants.

Yorkshire folk are keen to get their money's worth and the first cars were queuing for the picnic enclosure at 10am – just five and three-quarter hours before the opener.

Other than restaurants/hospitality, what were the food and beverage options?

Three mobile vans in the grandstand and paddock enclosure offered respectively 'traditional' fish and chips for £9, a 'traditional' steak pasty for £5 and a non-era-specific burger for £5. A formerly unloved and unused bar has been reinvented as the swish 'Pizza in the paddock' bistro offering, well, pizza. There is a cafe in the picnic enclosure which also opens on non-racing days.

What's the damage?

Bottle of water: £2.40
Cheapest pint: John Smith's or Foster's, £4.90
Guinness: £6.50
Champagne: £37.50 a bottle
Burger: £5

Drinks vouchers could be bought in advance for £4.40, exchangeable for a glass of red or white wine or a pint of bitter or lager.

All drink prices taken from the main racecourse bar, or, where there are multiple bars, one chosen at random.

What was the burger like?

Tasty, with fresh bun and salad, served by a young woman with her own racehorse – well, she rides the retired Constraint every day at a nearby yard.

And the queues?

Not a huge problem, with the late start meaning demand was spread out through the afternoon.

Read more from our Racecourse Prices Index series . . .

The Racecourse Prices Index: how much for food and drink at Royal Ascot?

The Racecourse Prices Index: how much for food and drink at Gowran Park?

The Racecourse Prices Index: how much was Leopardstown's 'proper' burger?

The Racecourse Prices Index: how much for a 'Group 1' Rebel Burger at Listowel?

The Racecourse Prices Index: how much for a burger and chips at Kilbeggan?

The Racecourse Prices Index: how much does a pint and baguette cost at Epsom?

The Racecourse Prices Index: how much for a burger and a pint at Sandown?

Sign up to receive On The Nose, our essential daily newsletter, from the Racing Post. Your unmissable morning feed, direct to your email inbox every morning.