Rishi Sunak on hand to unveil final phase of £3.5m development at Catterick

Chancellor Rishi Sunak was in attendance at Catterick on Friday to unveil the Dales Stand, the final phase of a £3.5 million development project undertaken by the North Yorkshire track.

Catterick is in the MP's constituency of Richmond and he was on hand to officially open the new owners' and trainers' facility at the dual-purpose track.

Sunak said: “The developments at Catterick in recent years have been very impressive and the new Dales Stand is an outstanding final addition to the course, bringing it up to the very highest standards now expected by modern racegoers, owners and trainers.

Rishi Sunak opens the new Dales Stand at CatterickCredit: Catterick racecourse

“The team involved in designing, building and bringing the project to fruition have done a tremendous job.”

The Dales Stand, a two-floor building encompassing the Swaledale Room on the ground floor and a restaurant in the Wensleydale Room on the first floor, is the third and final phase to be completed in a three-year development scheme at Catterick.

The first two phases included a new entrance, offices, horse box park and saddling boxes, an enlarged parade ring, incorporating a new winners’ enclosure, and a refurbished and extended weighing room.

Rishi Sunak observes the view from the first floor of the new Dales StandCredit: Catterick racecourse

Managing director John Sanderson said: “It was fantastic to welcome Catterick’s member of parliament, Rishi Sunak, to open our new owners' and trainers' stand. He is a great supporter of horseracing.

“The opening of the Dales Stand coincides with the return of a greater number of owners to the racecourse and we are now also looking forward to welcoming a limited number of racegoers back to our fixtures after May 17.”

Catterick’s next fixture will take place on May 10 with the prospect of some spectators being in attendance on May 21, subject to the next stage of the government's Covid-19 roadmap going ahead as scheduled.

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