10 Things to Look Forward to This Jump Season in Yorkshire
Big coats, crisp mornings, thrilling finishes and a warming plate of something delicious – there’s a lot to love about jump racing in Yorkshire!
As the leaves turn golden and the temperature begins to drop, there’s a familiar excitement in the air. The Flat season may be drawing to a close, but for jump racing fans, the fun is only just beginning.
With 37 fixtures scheduled across Yorkshire’s three jump racecourses – Catterick, Doncaster and Wetherby – there are plenty of reasons to dig out your winter woollies and head racing.
Here are ten things we’re particularly looking forward to this season…
- A Warm Yorkshire Welcome
The weather might be chilly, but the welcome certainly won’t be! There’s something rather lovely about arriving at a racecourse on a winter’s morning and being greeted by the familiar, friendly faces of the racecourse teams. From the person checking your ticket to the staff serving your first warming cuppa, a cheery Yorkshire welcome is guaranteed to get the day off to a cracking start.
- The Big Races Are Back!
There’s no shortage of top-class racing to look forward to across Yorkshire’s three jump tracks.
Wetherby gets things off to a flying start with the prestigious Charlie Hall Chase on Saturday 31st October, one of the early highlights of the National Hunt calendar.
At Catterick, the North Yorkshire Grand National in January is always a terrific spectacle, with stamina, determination and plenty of jumping required to conquer this marathon contest.
Meanwhile, Doncaster’s Great Yorkshire Chase weekend at the end of January promises quality racing and plenty of excitement, both on and off the track.
Three racecourses, three fantastic highlights – and plenty more in between!
- The Return of the Big Coat
Finally, an excuse to wear that enormous coat that’s been taking up half the wardrobe since March!
Jump racing is the perfect opportunity to embrace the art of winter layering. Big coats, cosy scarves, woolly hats and sturdy boots are practically the unofficial uniform of the National Hunt season. And the best bit? Nobody bats an eyelid if you look like you’re wearing your entire wardrobe at once.
Warmth wins over elegance every time. Well, almost…
- Proper Winter Comfort Food
Forget dainty summer salads – jump racing calls for something a little more substantial!
Whether it’s a steaming bowl of soup, a hearty pie, a hot roast or simply a bacon sandwich and a mug of tea, there’s something especially satisfying about tucking into warming food after a spell watching the action outside.
And let’s face it, everything tastes better when you’ve earned it by braving the Yorkshire weather.
- Home in Time for Tea
One of the underrated pleasures of winter racing is the earlier finish.
With daylight in shorter supply, racing generally gets underway earlier and finishes in the afternoon, meaning you can enjoy a full day’s entertainment and still be home in time to put your feet up in front of the fire.
A brilliant day out AND an evening on the sofa? That’s what we call a winning combination.
- Sunglasses and Scarves
Only in Yorkshire could you find yourself basking in glorious sunshine while simultaneously wondering whether your toes are still attached.
There’s something wonderfully atmospheric about a bright winter afternoon at the races. The sun shines, the sky is a brilliant blue, the horses gleam in the light… and the temperature stubbornly refuses to rise above freezing.
It’s the sort of weather where sunglasses and a woolly hat are both entirely appropriate. Just another reason to love jump racing!
- Those Crisp, Frosty Mornings
There’s a special kind of magic about a racecourse on a crisp winter morning.
The grass sparkles with frost, the horses’ breath hangs in the cold air and there’s that unmistakable sense of anticipation as everyone prepares for the day’s racing.
Of course, we’ll be hoping the frost isn’t quite severe enough to interfere with the action, but there’s no denying that winter racing provides some of the most beautiful scenes of the entire sporting year.
- Winter Fashion Takes Centre Stage
Who says racecourse fashion is just for summer?
Winter racing offers the perfect opportunity to show off your country style, with tweed coats, fabulous hats, smart boots and cosy accessories all making an appearance.
And if you’re looking for an excuse to dress up, Doncaster’s Winter Best Dressed Competition during the Great Yorkshire Chase weekend is the perfect opportunity.
Practical can be stylish too – particularly when there’s a prize at stake!
- Festive Racing – The Perfect Christmas Tradition
Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without a trip to the races!
Wetherby’s Boxing Day meeting is a much-loved festive tradition for generations of Yorkshire families and friends. It’s the perfect opportunity to get out in the fresh air, catch up with loved ones and enjoy some thrilling sporting action after the Christmas Day celebrations.
Doncaster joins the festive fun with its Winter Family Fun Day on 29th December, while Catterick welcomes racegoers on New Year’s Day – a fantastic way to kick-start the year.
Fresh air, good company and great racing. What more could you want from the festive season?
- Three Courses, One Brilliant Pass!
And finally, here’s a reason to look forward to the jump season that won’t leave you out in the cold – the Triple Jump Pass!
With racing at Catterick, Doncaster and Wetherby throughout the winter, the Triple Jump Pass offers a fantastic way to enjoy the very best of Yorkshire’s jump racing.
It’s the perfect excuse to visit all three courses, discover their individual characters and make the most of the National Hunt season.
Because when it comes to jump racing in Yorkshire, why settle for one racecourse when you can enjoy all three?
