Sector: Commercial
Working with: The Goddard Wybor Practice
York Racecourse, one of the UK’s most prestigious racing venues, ranks third nationally and is second only to Ascot in prize money per meeting. Located on the historic Knavesmire, a site known since Pre-Medieval times and famously the location of highwayman Dick Turpin’s hanging in 1739, the racecourse is steeped in heritage while offering a premium modern experience.
The team at Daedalian Glass Studios was commissioned to create a bespoke 3m x 12m removable glass partition for the VIP Stand—an exclusive space catering to high-profile guests. The brief was to design a solution that subtly separated groups of people while maintaining the openness and elegance of the stand. A key feature was a privacy band designed to obscure direct eye contact between guests on either side of the screen, creating a more comfortable and exclusive environment.
To bring this vision to life, we crafted the panels from 12mm toughened float glass, chosen for its strength and clarity. Adding a unique artistic element, we designed life-sized jockey and racehorse silhouettes, captured in full stride. These weren’t generic illustrations—before the design process began, we organised a bespoke photography session with real racehorses in motion to ensure every muscle, posture, and movement was authentic. The resulting images were then translated into sandblasted artwork, applied in layers on both sides of the glass and at varying depths. This technique created a rich, multi-tonal, three-dimensional effect that brought the dynamic energy of the racetrack directly into the space.
Functionality was as important as aesthetics. The entire partition was designed to be fully removable and cleverly folds away into a hidden wall cavity when not in use. This allows the VIP area to remain flexible for different events without compromising on design or atmosphere.
The finished result is a stunning blend of craftsmanship and engineering—a space divider that offers privacy without isolation, brings movement and history to life in glass, and fits seamlessly into one of the country’s most iconic racecourses.
