Redcar Racecourse celebrates a cracking Easter event

Tuesday 29th March, 2016

The country’s flat turf racing season got underway as thousands of families from across the region turned out on Easter Monday for Redcar Racecourse’s first Premier meeting of the 2016 season, despite gloomy bank holiday weather.

Thousands of people flocked to the racecourse, which is the only one in the North East to appear in the top 12 racecourses in England, Wales and Scotland in The Racecourse Association’s recent Quality Assured Racecourse Scheme 2015.

Spectators were treated to eight races throughout the day and racegoers also took part in the Easter Bonnet parade, featuring Madeline Hatter and her friends Alice, the Queen of Hearts, and the white rabbit, as well as an Easter treasure hunt.

The front cover of the official racecard featured the art work of Lily-Jo Beel, aged 7 and from Redcar, who won the ‘egg-cellent’ colouring in competition.

As well as enjoying the full VIP hospitality treatment on the day, Lily-Jo presented the winning trophies to two races named in her honour, The Lily-Jo Beel Designed Today’s Racecard Cover Handicap Stakes, to the winning horses Royal Holiday and Sugar Lump.

Lily-Jo, who loved her day at the races, said: “I’m happy I won the competition as it’s been a really fun day and exciting to present to the winners of these two races.”

Redcar Racecourse’s general manager, Amy Fair said the day was a great success despite the weather and was thrilled to see the racing season get off to such a great start.

She said: “Easter Monday was our first meeting of the season following our refurbishment, and it was marvellous to see so many racegoers enjoying their day at the races and really getting into the bank holiday spirit.”

The annual event, included local acts from performing arts company Page2Stage who delivered a wonderful fun-filled day for families from across the region. The Easter egg hunt was a tremendous success with some fantastic efforts in the Easter bonnet parade too.

This is the first of seven exciting Premier meetings for Redcar Racecourse over the 2016 racing season.

The next Premier meeting at Redcar Racecourse is the Zetland Gold Cup Day on May 30th, the bank holiday Monday at the end of May.

There are many hospitality options from the Dine & View package in the Crow’s Nest Restaurant to racegoers’ packages including admission, a racecard, food and drink.

For more information about the Teesside racecourse, visit http://www.redcarracing.co.uk/.

Facebook & Twitter: @Redcarracing

2016 premier meetings:
 Bank holiday Monday 30 May – Zetland Gold Cup day;
 Saturday 18 June – Ladies’ Day;
 Sunday 17 July – Helps For Heroes Family Fun Day;
 Saturday 6 August – Caribbean Carnival day;
 Saturday 27 August – Ladies’ and Gents’ Evening;
 Saturday 1 October – Seasonal climax with the £175,000 Tote Two Year Old Trophy, the Listed Guisborough Stakes and the final of the Pinnacle Racing Straight Mile Championship Series.