Catterick Racecourse Guide

Welcome to our official guide to Catterick Racecourse.

We explore this Yorkshire racecourse in detail, examining its history, hotel recommendations, race fixtures, travel information, and betting guides.

Catterick racecourse is situated near the hamlet of Catterick Bridge, and that is why some racegoers call the venue Catterick Bridge Racecourse.

If you are looking for the latest betting tips for Catterick, check out our complete guide to Catterick Racecourse tips.

Find out more about Catterick Racecourse:

Overview of Catterick Bridge Racecourse

Catterick Bridge Racecourse, as Yorkshire natives refer to this venue, is a fascinating blend of traditional and modern elements. Located in North Yorkshire, the always-bustling Catterick offers meetings every month of the year. Both flat and National Hunt races are run depending on the season.

Catterick is the busiest racecourse in Yorkshire thanks to a year-round program. Under 18s are invited to attend racedays for free, and the venue offers a wide range of themed race meets throughout the year.

The first thing you’ll notice at Catterick is the respect for tradition. The main grandstand has retained the same framework and structure since 1906. This doesn’t make the venue old and rickety, though. Essential improvements and modernisations have been made to ensure safety and comfort. You’ll just be able to take a glimpse into the venue’s past.

Catterick has a shorter track than some, stretching to a little over one mile and nine furlongs. The track is flat and well-maintained, but it does have some sharp bends. This means that experienced horses and jockeys tend to perform well. This applies to both flat and National Hunt races.

If placing a bet, it’s advisable to look out for past winners and regular riders at the course.

Catterick is a very relaxed racecourse, with less focus on pomp and ceremony than some may expect. This is reflected in the dress code. Smart casual is the official policy, though it’s unlikely that you’ll be questioned as long as you are not clad in anything potentially offensive.

This leads some equestrian devotees to sniff at Catterick as “unglamorous”, though it is also referred to as “the friendly racecourse.”

The primary race is the North Yorkshire Grand National held in January.

Overall, Catterick Bridge provides a great day out for families and casual racegoers.

History of Catterick Racecourse

Horse racing and Yorkshire have long been bedfellows. Catterick hosted events in the mid-17^th Century in an unofficial capacity, with the first sanctioned meet taking place in 1783.

A permanent track was laid down in 1813, and the course has been a mainstay of the Yorkshire racing scene since.

The grandstand of the venue was built in 1906, and as discussed, the framework still exists – with all necessary improvements in the intervening years.

Interest in the venue steadily grew in the early 20^th Century, and by the early 1920s, it was a staple of the area. This led to the formation of the Catterick Racecourse Company, who still manage the venue to this day.

Improvements continue to be made at Catterick, and while the events it hosts lack the prestige of some competing venues, it has contributed to racing history. Perhaps the most notable is the emergence of Collier Hill, a horse that went on to win the Hong Kong Vase, Irish St. Leger and Canadian International Stakes – all after first making his mark with victory at Catterick.

What are Catterick Racecourse fixtures for 2026?

Here are the Catterick races fixtures for 2026:

Date	Racecourse	Weekday	Code
1/1/2026	Catterick Bridge	Thursday	Jump
8/1/2026	Catterick Bridge	Thursday	Jump
21/1/2026	Catterick Bridge	Wednesday	Jump
30/1/2026	Catterick Bridge	Friday	Jump
9/2/2026	Catterick Bridge	Monday	Jump
24/2/2026	Catterick Bridge	Tuesday	Jump
4/3/2026	Catterick Bridge	Wednesday	Jump
8/4/2026	Catterick Bridge	Wednesday	Flat
22/4/2026	Catterick Bridge	Wednesday	Flat
11/5/2026	Catterick Bridge	Monday	Flat
21/5/2026	Catterick Bridge	Thursday	Flat
30/5/2026	Catterick Bridge	Saturday	Flat
11/6/2026	Catterick Bridge	Thursday	Flat
22/6/2026	Catterick Bridge	Monday	Flat
8/7/2026	Catterick Bridge	Wednesday	Flat
15/7/2026	Catterick Bridge	Wednesday	Flat
22/7/2026	Catterick Bridge	Wednesday	Flat
4/8/2026	Catterick Bridge	Tuesday	Flat
17/8/2026	Catterick Bridge	Monday	Flat
26/8/2026	Catterick Bridge	Wednesday	Flat
8/9/2026	Catterick Bridge	Tuesday	Flat
30/9/2026	Catterick Bridge	Wednesday	Flat
17/10/2026	Catterick Bridge	Saturday	Flat
27/10/2026	Catterick Bridge	Tuesday	Flat
20/11/2026	Catterick Bridge	Friday	Jump
15/12/2026	Catterick Bridge	Tuesday	Jump
28/12/2026	Catterick Bridge	Monday	Jump

Many racegoers are looking for meetings today or tomorrow, and we have put together the full racing calendar and timetable for Catterick Racecourse.

Catterick Racecourse Map

Below is a map of the flat and jumps courses at Catterick Racecourse.

Catterick Racecourse Flat Track

The flat course is left-handed and sharp in nature.

It is oval and measures 9 furlongs around.

There is a straight 5-furlong course, and the final 3 furlongs in all races are downhill.

Course form is more significant here than at many other racecourses, and many horses having their first experience of the track take time to adapt to the undulations.

Catterick Racecourse Jumps Course

The jumps course is similar to the flat one, being left-handed and sharp, with undulations.

The fences are easy.

Is there a draw bias at Catterick Racecourse?

Catterick Racecourse does not have an extreme draw bias. Over the shorter distances, the draw appears to be relatively evenly sprea,d with no significant advantage to being drawn high or low.

However, over 1 mile, the statistics suggest that low-drawn horses perform slightly better than those drawn on the outside.

This could be because Catterick is a left-handed course, and the inside rail may provide a better route around the bend.

What is the Draw Bias at Catterick 5 Furlongs?

There is a slight draw bias at Catterick over 5 furlongs, with low numbers being slightly more favourable. However, this bias is not as significant as in some other racecourses.

Additionally, it’s worth noting that the ground conditions can also affect the draw bias, with soft ground making the low drawn bias slightly larger.

While the draw bias may not be substantial, it’s still crucial for bettors to take into account when analysing the race. It could potentially make a difference in a close race or a big field.

Nonetheless, it’s essential to consider other factors such as the horse’s form, jockey, and track conditions before making a betting decision.

What is the Draw Bias at Catterick 7 Furlongs?

Based on the analysis, it seems that there is no significant draw bias for the 7-furlong races at Catterick. Although high numbers have produced slightly more winners, the sample size is too small to draw any conclusions.

Therefore, it is safe to say that the draw is not a major factor in determining the winner for 7-furlong races at Catterick.

It is worth noting that other factors, such as the horse’s form, the jockey’s ability, and track conditions, may have a more significant impact on the outcome of the race.

As a result, it is essential to consider all these factors when placing a bet on a race at Catterick to increase the chances of a successful outcome.

Catterick Racecourse Address

Where is Catterick racecourse? The official correspondence address of Catterick Racecourse is:

Catterick Bridge
Richmond
North Yorkshire
DL10 7PE

How to Get To Catterick Races

The ways to get to Catterick Racecourse are:

• By road, private transport is the easiest way to get to Catterick Bridge Racecourse if this is an option for you. The venue is located just off the A1. Exit the A1 at Junction 52, regardless of whether travelling from North or South and follow the brown signposts that populate the roads.
• By train – If using public transport, the best rail station is Darlington; Catterick no longer has a railway station. Darlington is about 15 miles from the racecourse, so take a bus into the market town of Richmond upon arrival. Once you get to Richmond, you can take a free shuttle from the town centre to the racecourse.

Hotels Near Catterick Bridge Racecourse

Booking accommodation to attend Catterick can be something of a balancing act.

On the downside, you’re unlikely to find anything within walking distance of the track. Some degree of travel is unavoidable. To temper this, however, are numerous reasonably-priced options – in addition to a couple of luxury selections if you’re keen to push the boat out.

Budget chains Travelodge and Premier Inn both have a presence within three miles of the racecourse.

If you’re prepared to spend a little bigger, The Frenchgate and The King’s Head are luxurious standalone options in neighbouring Richmond.

There is also a range of local B&Bs with varying levels of availability.

Further afield, investigate Darlington. There is a sizable Holiday Inn on the A1 here, bordering Yorkshire and Durham. You’ll have to make more effort to get to Catterick from here, though, so aim closer if you can.

Other Events Held at Catterick Bridge Racecourse

Catterick Bridge Racecourse can be hired for private functions throughout the year, with the apparent exception of racedays. The venue welcomes booking requests and frequently doubles up as a party reception venue or corporate retreat.

One note of caution – do not venture to the racetrack on a Sunday looking for some retail therapy.

For years, Catterick hosted the biggest Sunday market in the North of England. This has now been discontinued, despite advertisements continuing to run online.

Catterick Bridge Racecourse Facts

• Catterick Racecourse is located in North Yorkshire, England, and is one of the oldest and most famous horse racing venues in the country.
• Catterick Racecourse hosts both flat and National Hunt racing, with the most popular meetings being the Catterick Summer Festival, the Catterick Christmas Festival, and the Catterick Summer Hurdle.
• The Catterick Summer Festival is the longest-running event at the track, having been held annually since 1876.
• The Catterick Christmas Festival is the most popular meeting, with over 30,000 spectators attending each year.
• It has a total of 32 race meetings per year.
• It has a total of 1,800 acres of land.

Summary of Catterick Racecourse

A charming, old racecourse, Catterick, offers a packed calendar of both jumps and flat racing throughout the year.

It is a unique left-handed track that locals and those from further afield will attend.

It feels both traditional and modern, offering excellent customer service, competitive racing, and a very relaxed atmosphere.

If you’re looking to enjoy an afternoon of racing with friends and family, look no further – Catterick is a fantastic option.