Catterick Racecourse

Racing has been held at Catterick Bridge since 1783 and that tradition has lived on until the present day, where both flat and National Hunt events take place on a regular basis. Regarded as one of the most glamorous fixtures in the north, the site also hosts the Catterick Sunday Market, which is officially the largest Sunday Market in the entire north of England.
Located in North Yorkshire, Catterick Bridge racecourse is very easy to get to. Just five miles south of Scotch Corner, the most direct route would be via the A1, taking the turning to Catterick Village following the vast amount of signage leading the way to the course. There is free parking for all visitors to the track. Alternatively, the closest railway station is Northallerton, which is nine miles from the course, but with a lack of regular bus services the best thing to do is to take a taxi. Darlington station is a bit further away but there are more frequent bus links so that is the best route to take if you are working on a budget and not arriving by car.
Ticket Prices
If you are trying to look after the pennies, the ticket prices won’t disappoint. Entry to the course is just £5, with grandstand access starting at £15 and as with most tracks, under-18s go free of charge when accompanied by a full paying adult.
The Course
In 2015, officials at Catterick promised to push on with plans to convert the North Yorkshire racing venue into a floodlit all-weather course but news has gone quiet since. For the time being, Catterick will remain a left-handed dual-purpose turf course. Featuring a circuit just nine furlongs in length, it is an exceedingly sharp track and not an ideal destination for bulkier, longer-striding animals.
Flat runners must deal with the undulations on the course as well as its tightness. It is not at all unusual to see horse struggle with the dips at a course and it often takes horses a few attempts before they fully adapt. The run-in is three furlongs long and due to its downhill nature, races tend to finish at quite the gallop when the going is good. For jockeys trailing by more than a few lengths, it can be very difficult to make up ground as a result.
Less undulating but providing their own challenges are the chase and hurdles courses. The obstacles on both courses are not too challenging but the fast pace of races is something that produces a reasonably high causality rate. During chases, jockeys will find there is not too much time to adjust down the back straight with the five fences coming in rather quick succession. Much like on the flat course, they tend to run quite quick in National Hunt contests too so more handily ridden runners are generally preferred. If a horse is able to win from a deep position here, keep an eye on them as they could well impress in tougher tests elsewhere.
Ground Check Important
When looking into draw bias at Catterick, the initial results don’t tell the whole picture. Despite five furlong sprints being run a slightly left handed dog leg, the data at first glance doesn’t indicate an inside draw is of any advantage. They do, however, appear to have to be in an adventurous starting spot when the going is good or better. Between 2005 and 2009, the four lowest draws provided 17 of the 38 winners in 10+ runner handicaps on good or firmer and it is a bias that still holds true now.
A stall by the inside is a hindrance not a help when the going is good to soft or worse though. Between August 2009 and 2019, in races ranging from good-soft to heavy, high draw runners posted a winning percentage almost twice as high as low drawn rivals. This appears a unique feature of the straight course as it offers different turf inconsistencies than found on the main circuit. Reinforcing this point is the fact that for six furlong races, the bias, although it is distinctly weaker, is the opposite of what it is for five furlong contests. Here the inside stalls are favoured when conditions are softer than good while outside runners are better off in quicker conditions.
Not a Place to Linger
Catterick is not one of those courses where jockeys ought to sit back before attempting to pounce later on. Pace analysis carried out across every distance, but particularly in shorter races, tells us that horses which lead early on enjoy much more success than those that settle further back.
In longer contests, both flat and National Hunt, many races are lost early on, simply by a lack of tactical pace. Jockeys often kick on from the home turn and it is so difficult to make up the ground here if not in touch or if not travelling well. A horse who impresses when coming from behind here is certainly one to consider backing at other tracks though.
Major Meetings at Catterick Bridge

As one of the smaller courses in the country, there aren’t too many major events regularly at Catterick Bridge, however there are a number of charity and themed events normally aimed at children, to make the experience more interactive and family friendly. Catterick Bridge plays host to 28 race meetings every calendar year – 18 flat races between April and November, followed by ten National Hunt races over the remaining months.
Dining and Hospitality

There is a wide range of luxury hospitality services available at Catterick Bridge to suit all parties and ensure all guests enjoy an unforgettable day. Whether it is a table in one of their restaurants, a private box for you and your guests or a trackside marquee, Catterick offers it all, with a bespoke option available, ideal for those with specific needs in order to have the best experience possible. More information regarding prices is available by contacting the racecourse directly but as one might expect, there are decent options that won’t break the bank.