The Racecourse Prices Index: how much for food and drink at Catterick?

The Racecourse Prices Index (RPI) is a new and occasional series, in which we report from each of Britain and Ireland's racetracks on the cost of going racing.

Racecourse report: entry, food and pint prices from Catterick

Catterick

Date visited: Sunday, January 1, 2023

Was it a big day?

There was just one race above Class 4 on the card but New Year's Day is traditionally one of the biggest dates in Catterick's calendar, and it was even more of an attraction than usual with no Covid or weather worries to put people off.

Getting busy at CatterickCredit: David Carr

How much was entry on the gate?

£18 in the grandstand enclosure (£15 if bought in advance, £10 for military personnel) and £7 in the course enclosure (£5 in advance).

Other than restaurants/hospitality, what were the food and beverage options?

Anyone still in the mood for a drink after the excesses of the night before was well catered for. You could watch each of the first five races in a different bar, then choose your favourite for the finale –quite possibly the Gods Solution Bar.

This is a snug spot under the main grandstand, which is named after the David Barron-trained sprinter whose eight course wins in the 1980s and 1990s paid for many a pint, or glass of something stronger.

It offers hot and cold snacks, as do the Champions Bar and Centre Course bar (which is open only for shelter during the jumps season, other than during the two Christmas week meetings).

However, hungry racegoers are probably better off heading to the Furlongs Self-Service Cafeteria by the parade ring. As well as cold sandwiches for £3.20 to £4.50, you can tuck into a steak pie, chips and peas or a hot pulled pork sandwich with stuffing and chips for £8.95 apiece.

Concession units offer pasties, burgers, fish and chips (£10, with mushy peas thrown in) and churros, a cinnamon and sugar pastry dough stick, for those unacquainted with Spanish/Portuguese cuisine.

Payment was possible by cash and card throughout.

What's the damage?

Water: Free at all bars
Cheapest pint: £5.30 Foster's or Theakston Best Bitter
Guinness: £6.50
Champagne: £39.50 a bottle
Burger: £6.50 for a basic burger, rising to £9 for a double bacon burger

All drink prices taken from the main racecourse bar, or where there are multiple bars, one chosen at random.

What was the burger like?

Decent enough, with plenty of fresh salad.

A cheeseburger sets you back £6.80Credit: David Carr

And the queues?

Manageable early on, though building up through the day.

What did the punters say?

I had fish and chips and they weren't a bad price, all things considered. They tasted all right too.
Peter Derbyshire, Northallerton

Read these next:

The Racecourse Prices Index: how much for a pie and pint at Doncaster?

The Racecourse Prices Index: how much for a burger and pint at Kelso?

Ranked: where's the most expensive pint at British and Irish racecourses?

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