Top female jockeys Amy Ryan and Julie Burke have given their support to the latest ‘Back a Winner by Train’ campaign from rail companies First TransPennine Express (FTPE) and Northern Rail.

Returning for the 26th consecutive year, the promotion rewards racegoers travelling by train to discounted admission and money off bets with totepool.

The promotion runs from the start of the British Flat season on turf at Doncaster on March 31 until the end of the year.

Apprentice jockey, Julie Burke, who last year was the recipient of the Kyne Wilson Scholarship said “Going racing has never been as easy and popular. All the racecourses had excellent attendances last season and 2012 promises to be just as exciting.

“Getting there is also really easy and convenient and travelling by train offers punters great value with money off the cost of admission.”

Racegoers using the train will benefit from upto a £4 discount on admission into the Grandstand & Paddock enclosures at participating racecourses.

In addition to saving on admission, racegoers have the opportunity of enjoying £2 off a toteplacpot bet of £5 or more.

Commenting on the money saving promotion, Victoria Tomlinson, FTPE’s head of marketing said “We are delighted to once again support this fantastic promotion for the 26th year. More and more people are choosing to travel by train on days out.

“It’s comfy, relaxing and stress-free and with the ‘Back a Winner’ promotion, it offers great value with reduced entry rates and a discounted bet.

“We look forward to welcoming racegoers on board our trains and wish them the best of luck throughout the racing season.”

Championed by FTPE and Northern Rail, ‘Back a Winner by Train’ features over 170 days of racing at the following courses - Beverley, Carlisle, Cartmel, Doncaster, Haydock Park Hexham, Newcastle, Pontefract, Redcar, Thirsk and York.

Iain Aldred, marketing manager for Northern Rail, comments “We are pleased to offer our passengers another opportunity to enjoy the region’s race meetings with the 26th ‘Back a Winner by Train’ campaign. New to the scheme this year is Haydock Park where there will also be a complimentary shuttle bus service from Newton-le-Willows station to the racecourse on selected Saturdays.”

Close to 15,000 people took advantage of the ‘Back a Winner by Train’ promotion in 2011.