The Christmas period is a busy time at Catterick Races as the course hosts three exciting fixtures, where racegoers can enjoy some thrilling National Hunt racing action – on Tuesday 18 December, Friday 28 December and New Year’s Day.
The festivities begin when the Christmas lights have gone up at the course, for Christmas at Catterick on Tuesday 18 December. Racegoers will be treated to some Christmas carols ahead of racing, sung by Le Cateau School Choir and the first 200 people through the gates on the day will be given a Christmas gift from Millbry Hill Country Store, sponsors of Catterick’s Champion Jockey series.
The first of seven races on 18 December is scheduled for 12.10pm, with the gates opening two hours prior. The feature race, the Ryder Sugden Birthday Handicap Steeple Chase, will take place at 2.40pm.
Those still searching for some last minute Christmas gifts will be pleased to know that the Injured Jockeys Fund will be at the course on the day selling a selection of gifts for racing enthusiasts!
The following week, the Go Racing in Yorkshire Winter Festival returns to Catterick, on Friday 28 December. The festival begins at Wetherby on Boxing Day and Thursday 27th, before heading to Catterick on the 28th and finishes at Doncaster on Saturday 29th December.
The gates open at 10.25am on 28th December, with the first race scheduled for 12.25pm. The last of the six race card is scheduled for 3.15pm.
Emma Binnian, Sales & Marketing Manager said: “The Winter Festival is one of the fixture highlights here at Catterick. It’s a great opportunity for families to get some fresh air over the Christmas period whilst enjoying the last of the festive cheer!”
Younger racegoers on Santa’s ‘nice’ list can look forward to receiving an extra little Christmas gift from the festival mascot Festive Freddy, who will be at the course on the day, while the more seasoned racegoers can enjoy a complimentary glass of mulled wine and a mince pie on arrival (while stocks last).
Racegoers will be able to get a true idea of what the horses and jockeys experience during a race by visiting the parade ring, where a section of a steeple chase fence has been positioned. Those keen on a return visit to the course will be excited to hear that a ‘Steeplechase Selfie’ can earn them a chance to win tickets to a future race meeting at Catterick. Keep an eye on the Catterick Races social media to learn how!
Following on from the Winter Festival, Catterick Racecourse will host the first meeting of the 2019 Yorkshire racing calendar, on New Year’s Day.
A big screen will be at the course each day to give racegoers the best views of all the action, and a free shuttle bus will leave approximately an hour before the first race to bring racegoers from Richmond Market Place to the racecourse, and will return again after the last race.
Tickets are available to purchase online, and remember accompanied under 18’s go free!