IT’S the biggest sporting occasion of the year at Nottingham Racecourse at the end of next week – with 13 races in the space of 24 hours between Friday evening and Saturday afternoon which is Ladies’ Day.

The high-class fare on May 12 includes the Listed race, the Weatherbys Bloodstock Insurance Kilvington Fillies’ Stakes.

The six-furlong dash is always a highly competitive event, with only two favourites winning during the ten years. I’ll preview the race in detail next week.

Over the two days, there are also the first qualifying races in two new events on British racecourses.

Friday evening includes the first qualifier in a mile and a quarter series sponsored by Betfair, and the following afternoon the initial qualifying round in a six furlong series.

Sixteen qualifying races will take place at tracks within the Jockey Club Racecourses Group, with the finals at our sister track at Warwick on October 4.

Two more races in the Betfair Sprint Series are at Nottingham Racecourse – one in late May and another in August – while there is another ten-furlong race during Ladies’ Evening on 7 July.

Next Friday’s meeting at Nottingham will feature live music from Richie Muir, while Ladies’ Day on Saturday afternoon will have live music from Marc Dillion with the Capital FM Street Crew and morning presenters Deano and Pete, and a Best Dressed Competition sponsored by East Midlands designer outlet.

Admission: Premier £21; Grandstand Paddock £15. Accompanied children aged under 18 are admitted free of charge. Parking is free. Ticket hotline 0844 579 3011.

More information is at www.nottinghamracecourse.co.uk. The first race times are scheduled for 5.35pm and 2.15pm respectively.