Starter’s orders for new additions at racecourse

CATTERICK RACECOURSE will officially open its new “landmark” main entrance and saddling boxes tomorrow.

The new features will be enjoyed by visitors for the first time as the Go Racing in Yorkshire Winter Festival gets under way.

They have been designed by Richmond-based architects Harris Irwin Associates (HIA) to “give a sense of arrival to racegoers and offer state of the art facilities for trainers” to saddle their horses.

Katie Craggs, project architect, said: “HIA have been delighted to be involved with the redevelopment at Catterick Racecourse.

“Having worked closely with the racecourse team over the past five years, we have assisted in delivering their vision for improving and upgrading the facilities. The scheme provides the racecourse with a landmark building, which will benefit racegoers and the wider racing community.”

This is the first of a threephase redevelopment plan, with the next wave of work due following the end of the National Hunt season on March 6, 2019.

An enlarged parade ring, incorporating a new winner’s enclosure, refurbished and modernised weighing room and jockeys facilities, as well as a new horsebox park, will be created.

The final phase of the £3.5m investment plan will be a completely new two-storey, trackside owners and trainers facility, which is scheduled to be finished in early 2020.