A YORKSHIRE racecourse is gearing up for ‘Awesome August’ with some of its most colourful meetings of the year.
Catterick is looking forward to a spectacular Ladies’ Day on Wednesday, August 28, including exciting fashion competitions to find the Best-Dressed Lady, Best Hat, and Best-Dressed Couple.
The Best-Dressed Lady will win a £500 voucher for a bespoke tweed outfit made by La Fille Rouge and go on to represent Catterick at the Go Racing In Yorkshire Grand Final at Doncaster.
The Best Hat contest is sponsored by The Secret Spa, at Bedale, and the winner will receive a fantastic spa package worth £130.
The Best-Dressed Couple contest is new this year and the winners will dine out in style at the famous Black Bull Inn at Moulton.
To start the day in the right spirit, the first 100 ladies to arrive and visit the Yorkshire Dales Distillery stand will receive a complimentary cocktail.
Gates open at 12 noon and, as well as all the fun and fashion, there is also great action on the track, with seven races starting at 2pm.
Carnival Family Day is bound to be another cracking day out on August 19 with seven races, starting at 1.50pm, combined with a feast of family fun throughout the afternoon, including a coconut shy and fairground rides.
For anyone considering a career in the Sport of Kings, the Racing Careers Day on August 12 will provide a fascinating insight into the many different roles behind the scenes.
As well as a behind the scenes tour with the Racing To School educational programme, the Northern Racing College will be in attendance with a horse simulator to show what it takes to be a jockey.
Catterick’s Racing Careers Day was a finalist in the 2017 Racecourse Association Showcase Awards and this year it is even better, with a “Kids’ Takeover” giving youngsters the chance to interview jockeys, learn about the life of a racecourse photographer, and get a taste of all kinds of other racecourse career opportunities.
Free children’s entertainment will be provided in the Course Enclosure, and seven races get underway at 1.50pm.
Before that, the month gets off to a fun-packed start with Forces’ Family Day on August 6. Military personnel are admitted free, and entertainment in the Course enclosure will include a boot camp-style inflatable obstacle course. The first of seven races is at 2.15pm.
Catterick Racecourse offers a unique, down to earth, friendly atmosphere and facilities have been improved for this season, including a new parade ring and extended weighing room.
“The changes represent a significant investment and they have been really well received,” said Catterick’s sales and marketing manager, Emma Binnian. “We’ve enjoyed a great start to the season and August is jam-packed with great, family-friendly meetings, so come racing – and remember under-18s come free!”