Yorkshire Jockeys Horse Racing

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 NORTH YORKSHIRE GRAND NATIONAL DAY AT CATTERICK ON THURSDAY
 
The North Yorkshire Grand National – the longest and most valuable race of Catterick’s season over Jumps – heads a seven-race programme next Thursday (January 9), which begins at 12-40 p.m.
 
This Handicap Chase for stayers over three and three-quarter miles offers prize money of £20,000 and was won last year by Chac Du Cadran, trained in Lincolnshire by Chris Bealby and ridden by Tom Messenger. The race may attract one or two horses which could be entered for The John Smith’s Grand National at Aintree on Saturday, April 5. The winning owner will receive The Denys Smith Challenge Trophy, presented by the man who trained Red Alligator to win the 1968 Grand National from his base near Bishop Auckland. Mr. Smith was the champion trainer over Jumps during the 1967/68 season, and was a leading dual-purpose trainer, recording a remarkable 146 winners at Catterick (89 on the Flat and 57 over Jumps). Now aged 89, he regularly attends meetings at Catterick and his daughter, Susan, is the racecourse’s Administration Manager.
 
Thursday’s card also features The W.L. & Hector Christie Memorial Trophy (a Novices’ Handicap Chase) over two miles offering increased prize money of £12,000. The race commemorates William Christie and his son, Hector. William Christie passed away in 1962 at the age of 103. Educated at Eton and Oxford, his family were land-owners in Wensleydale. In the Victorian era, he was an amateur rider, and rode winners in six different countries! Known as ‘The Squire of Jervaulx Abbey’, William Christie owned racehorses until he was 100 years old and he served as a steward at Catterick. His son, Hector trained Fortina (owned by Lord Grimthorpe) to win the 1947 Cheltenham Gold Cup.
 
 The giant screen, situated opposite the main stands, will enable racegoers to enjoy even more of the action.