Phase one of Catterick redevelopment to be revealed on Friday

Part one of the three-phase redevelopment of Catterick racecourse will be revealed to the public and stable staff at Friday's meeting after the completion of a £1 million upgrade to the main entrance and saddling boxes.

Complimentary mince pies and mulled wine – while stocks last – will be offered to racegoers as they come through the newly opened entrance. The new saddling boxes will also allow horses to be saddled on the track, as opposed to the stables across the road from the course.

The next phase of the work is due to start immediately after the track's final jumps fixture on March 6, when the racecourse will close for three months in order to complete a scheme that will include an enlarged parade ring, which will incorporate a new winner's enclosure, a refurbished weighing room and jockeys' facilities, as well as a new parking facility for horseboxes.

Catterick Friday card

The track's first Flat fixture is scheduled to take place on June 17, 2019. Catterick held four Flat fixtures before the corresponding card this year.

The final phase of the £3.5m investment plan will be a new owners' and trainers' facility which is scheduled to be finished in early 2020.

The track's managing director John Sanderson said: "When finally completed, these developments will provide an enhanced raceday experience for owners, members of our racegoing public, trainers, jockeys and the other racing professionals who work at Catterick without changing the character or atmosphere of this friendly dual-purpose racecourse."

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