Catterick Racecourse is home to the first meeting of the 2018 Yorkshire Racing Calendar on New Year’s Day, following two events over the Christmas.
The Christmas at Catterick meet will take place on Tuesday, December 19.
Le Cateau Primary School Choir will be at the course on the day to treat race goers to some Christmas carols as they arrive at the course.
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The first of seven races on 19 December is scheduled for 12.20pm, with the gates opening two hours prior.
The Go Racing in Yorkshire Winter Festival then comes to Catterick, on Thursday 28 December.
The gates will open at 10.35pm, with the first race at approximately 12.35pm.
The fixture on New Year’s Day has a six-race card, with the first race getting under starters orders at 12.25pm.
The gates will be open to the public from 10:25pm and a free shuttle bus will run between Richmond Market Place and the racecourse approximately 1 hour prior to the first race.
The last race is scheduled for 3:20pm.
The feature race of the afternoon, The catterickbrige.co.uk Handicap Steeple Chase, runs over two miles and three furlongs and will take place at 2:45pm.
Fiona Needham, general manager and clerk of the course, said: “It’s a great way to see in the New Year and clear the head after the revelries of the night before while watching some exciting racing.”
Racegoers will also have the opportunity win a sponsorship experience by entering the text competition on the day.
The experience will include choosing the Best Turned Out horse in the Parade Ring prior to the race and presenting the winning owners with their prize, as well as celebrating with connections after the race.
This meeting is the first of Catterick’s 28 fixtures in 2018.
The calendar comprises of ten National Hunt meetings and 18 Flat meetings. Catterick has plenty of exciting days to look forward to including the ever popular Ladies’ Evening on Friday 17 August and three Family Days throughout the year.
Racing Careers Day will also make a return on Friday 1 June following its recent success having been nominated as a finalist in the Events category at this year’s RCA Showcase & Awards in November.
Emma Binnian, sales and marketing manager, said: “It was fantastic to be nominated as a finalist for our Racing Careers Day this year, and we’re really looking forward to hosting the event again next summer when we’ll be looking to build upon its success.”
New themes including a Harvest Festival Race Day on Saturday 22 September and the addition of a local Beer Festival, in partnership with Pennine Brewing Co., to Yorkshire Day on Saturday 9 June will also add some extra entertainment to Catterick’s fixtures alongside the racing action.
