A brief history of Catterick Racecourse

Catterick Racecourse is located on the site where a 6,000-seater amphitheatre was constructed by the Romans – part of the Roman wall can still be seen today just inside the track. The amphitheatre also doubled as a military parade ground and entertainment venue where the public could watch gladiators and dog-fighting. Today – the racecourse still serves as an outdoor public entertainment venue, just as it was in Roman times – just with different entertainment!

Part of the Brough Estate, Catterick Racecourse is owned by the Worthington family and has been in the same family for centuries. The preceding Chairman, Valerie Worthington – who’s maiden name was Lawson – is the daughter of the 4th Baronet of Brough Hall. In fact, the racecourse apparently used to be almost in the ‘front garden’ of Brough Hall, prior to the construction of the Great North Road (what is now the A1), when it was moved to its present location and became popular for its easy access.

Although racing took place in Richmond from as early as 1669, the first recorded meeting at the location of the present day Catterick Racecourse was a two-day meeting on Easter Monday 21st and Tuesday 22nd April 1783.

The racecourse has changed a lot over the years. A permanent course was not built until 1813 and the first grandstand was only added in 1906. The framework of that original grandstand is still evident, despite a number of more recent developments at the course. In 2004, the stable yard and hostel was redeveloped, while the first of a three-phase development started with the new entrance, offices and saddling boxes in 2019, followed by the parade ring redevelopment, weighing room extension and new hosebox park. Finally, Rishi Sunak MP for Richmond (Yorks), opened the Dales Stand, in April 2021.

Catterick first issued membership tokens in 1848 to raise funds for development but it was not until 1888 that the general public were charged an entry fee. Prior to this time, only those using the stand were charged entry.

In 1946, Major Leslie Petch became Clerk of the Course and the track was redesigned to its present form. Mr John Sanderson, took up the role of Clerk of the Course and Managing Director in 1972. John stepped down as Managing Director on New Year’s Day 2023, although remains as one of the course’s Director’s.