Racing Careers Day is back at Catterick Racecourse on Friday 1 June. Following the success of the event last year, having been nominated as a finalist at the Racecourse Association (RCA) Awards, the Racecourse decided to keep the fixture as part of the Flat season calendar this summer and has worked to build upon last year’s event.
Once again the course, in association with Racing to School, is offering a unique behind-the-scenes tour and workshop prior to racing for local Pony Club members and school children. Those who have registered to take part in the workshop will be taken on a guided tour of the course visiting areas which are normally restricted to the public, including the Weighing Room, Stables and a Course walk. The workshop will give an insight into how racing works as well as demonstrating the wider range of employment opportunities that the horse racing industry has to offer.
Fiona Needham, General Manager and Clerk of the Course said: “We received some lovely feedback after last year’s event, so we wanted to build on that this year.
“There’s so many different career options within the racing industry – to have the opportunity to showcase them all and perhaps encourage some of our younger race goers to take up a career in racing is exciting!”
The gates will be open to the general public from 11:50am, and racing will get underway at 1:50pm with The EBF Novice Stakes. While The Watch Racing UK Anywhere Handicap Stakes is scheduled for 4.55pm and offers a total prize fund of £11,600.
Alongside the racing, race goers will be able to learn more about the different career options within the racing industry at the Racing to School, Careers in Racing and Northern Racing College stands. The Northern Racing College stand will include a mechanical horse and racing simulator which will allow race goers to experience what it’s like to ride a winner!
In addition, there will be free children’s entertainment in the Course Enclosure. This will include a giant ‘Where’s Wally’ style Careers in Racing colouring board, as well as educational fun and games with the Go Racing in Yorkshire Roadshow.
As with all of Catterick’s fixtures, under 18’s will be admitted free of charge when accompanied by an adult, and a big screen will be at the course on the day giving racegoers the best views of all the action.
A free shuttle bus will be running to take racegoers from Richmond Market Place to the racecourse, approximately one hour prior to the first race, and will return again after the last race, which is scheduled for 5:30pm.