MORE than 330,000 racegoers passed through the gates at York Racecourse during 2014.

Seventeen days of racing and 115 contests were witnessed by a total of 336,042 in a campaign which saw a record £6.2 million in prize money handed out.

Those attendance totals saw 11 days which displayed a year on year increase with the final October Saturday, when Spinatrix landed the Coral Sprint Trophy, playing host to a bumper crowd of 20,312 - up nine per cent on 12 months ago.

The overall figures, an increase of 2,538 on 2013, means York enjoyed one of its top five best years of attendances.

William Derby, chief executive and clerk of the course at York Racecourse, said: “What an incredible season 2014 has been.

“The quality of racing action at York has been tremendous and we are delighted that our continued investment in the track, facilities and prize money has delivered such compelling and competitive racing action.

“Racegoers have seen some of the best horses and jockeys in the world compete on the Knavesmire.

“We are grateful for the ongoing support of owners and horsemen for bringing their fabulous horses to York.

“We are proud to be part of a Yorkshire racing community which goes from strength to strength and the success of Yorkshire handlers, both here at York and further afield, is a tremendous reflection of the health of racing in the county.

“I must pay tribute to the team at York who have delivered such a memorable and successful season, from the permanent team at the racecourse who work so hard to continue to innovate and improve the experience for visitors to the Knavesmire, to the raceday team who help provide the award-winning service and welcome to racegoers, to the construction team who have worked so hard to deliver our fantastic new facilities and to the volunteers who delivered a once-in-a-lifetime experience for the Tour de France.

“Some 2,000 people have given their time, talent and energy to making York Racecourse so special.”

He added: “It has been an honour to be involved with such an exciting, enjoyable and successful season and I would like to thank everyone connected to York for their support, enthusiasm and attendance.

“Work will continue during the winter to create the new improved racegoer facilities and weighing room ahead of the 2015 season, as we strive to further develop and so improve the experience of racing at York.”