Redcar racecourse is a privately owned independent business – we are not a part of any group. Our Board and Executive are committed to growing and developing the business at this site and this includes both our core activity of racing as well as diversifying the facilities to maximise income and to bring further revenues to the town as a whole.

The racecourse is clearly one of (probably the) leading attraction within Redcar itself and we are delighted to generate both business and profile for the town itself as well as for our fellow local businesses.

Racing has taken place at Redcar for many years – originally on the sands of Coatham – with the current site and company opening up for business in 1875 (a year before Custers defeat at the Battle of the Little Big Horn!).

Since that time many (if not all) of the world’s leading racing personalities have graced the turf of Redcar from Fred Archer through to Lester Piggott and Frankie Dettori and from the legendary trainers Noel Murless and Vincent O’Brien through to Henry Cecil and Michael Stoute.

Redcar can boast a proud heritage but in truth we are now more concerned with the present and the future…..

The course itself is a left handed oval of just over 1 ½ miles but its key feature is the straight mile with a 3  furlong ‘chute’ joining the track at the point where the top bend meets the straight. The course is relatively tight although this is compensated by the banking featured on both bends and Redcar is known for being a very fair track and one where the ‘draw’ has little material effect on running.

Last season Redcar staged the William Hill Lincoln Handicap – the first major race of the flat season – on Saturday 25th March. This was possibly the biggest day in the history of the course and saw Blythe Knight beating a full field of 30 competing over the straight mile in the prestigious £100,000 Handicap. 

Our principal race – the totepool Two Year Old Trophy has a guaranteed minimum value of £200,000 making it one of the most valuable races of its type in Europe. The totesport.com Zetland Gold Cup is now restored to it’s former glory as a £50,000 Heritage Handicap and throughout the season we feature the £100,000  John Smiths Straight Mile Championship Series introduced in 2005.

The Board and Executive at Redcar are wholly committed to continue to develop and improve both the level of prize money and the race programme itself.

Last season we were delighted by the response we had from the racing professionals about the track itself, the improving facilities and the overall look of the course – indeed Redcar won the prestigious Neil Wyatt Groundstaff Awards 2006. This, in turn, was rewarded by some very competitive racing, some very welcome new sponsors and, in the main, by improved attendances. We had very nearly 1,500 runners (with an average field of 12) and saw representation from all of the UK’s leading trainers and jockeys.

There were many highlights and of course our one-off staging of the William Hill Lincoln Meeting was both a memorable and historic occasion. The Zetland Gold Cup, with Lester Piggott in attendance, saw Chantaco take the spoils under an inspired ride from Martin Dwyer and the Paul Cole trained Bentong took the first running of the six furlong Summer Sprint. On Two Year Old Trophy Day we saw New Seeker (rated 108) take the Listed Guisborough Stakes and Nanton (claimed out of the last Qualifier) win the Straight Mile Final for North Yorkshire Trainer Noel Wilson. The main event went to Danum Dancer, providing Malton handler, and Redcar stalwart, Neville Bycroft with the biggest win of his career. Equally the Julie Camacho trained Elkhorn deserves a special mention for registering four consecutive wins here, having been a well supported favourite on the last three occasions. As in 2006 Tim Easterby and David Allan ended the season as our leading trainer and jockey respectively.

One of the most striking features of the season, commented on by many, was that the look and feel of the course had improved and this was in no small part due to the extensive efforts of our staff. The floral decorations throughout the season were of the highest standard and our planting regime for 2007 seeks to raise the bar even higher!

Last season also saw the introduction of CGC Events (formerly known as Craven Gilpin) as our Racecourse Caterers. They have very strong claims to be the leading operator in their field and this was evident throughout their first season.

At the end of 2006 we also saw changes at Board Level and the return of Lord Zetland to the Chairmanship.

All in all we are very excited about prospects for 2007, the plans we have for new development and about a future that we believe will see Redcar Racecourse continue to  grow and prosper.