REDCAR RACECOURSE UNDER STARTER’S ORDERS

Thursday 7 April 2011

THE starting stalls are about to fly open at Redcar Racecourse for the first time in 2011. The Tees Valley racecourse has an exciting schedule of 18 racing fixtures between Monday 18 April and the seasonal finale in November.

 

With plenty of the meetings at weekends, in the evening or on public holidays, there is lots of choice for seasoned racegoers and once-a-year visitors alike.

 

On Monday 18 April:

• There will be 500 visitors who have claimed free admission through the ‘free racing month’ initiative by Racing for Change;
• BBC local radio will be broadcasting live, interviewing racecourse personalities and characters;
• Former jockey Jimmy Bleasdale will be conducting behind-the- scenes tours;
• TV pundit and national newspaper journalist Alastair Down – who said he wanted the words ‘He never went to Redcar’ inscribed on his headstone after he died – will be visiting after the racecourse named a race ‘The Alastair Down Gravestone Selling Stakes’.

 

After the free tickets were snapped up within hours of becoming available online, the racecourse has been offering a free ticket for the 18^th for anyone who buys a Grandstand ticket for Easter Monday.

 

The aim of the ‘free racing month’ is to appeal to people who have been infrequent visitors to horse racing in the past or who have never been to a racecourse.

 

The racecourse’s general manager Amy Fair said: “We usually launch our season on Easter Monday, but with Easter so late this year that becomes our second meeting. We start the build-up to the holiday fixture by taking part in the national ‘free racing month’ promotion on the 18th.”

 

The most popular fixtures are retained in 2011, including Tote Zetland Gold Cup day and Ladies’ Day. Market Cross and Chic Hats will be providing the prizes on Ladies’ Day and young Middlesbrough designer Kate Fearnley will be offering advice to the ladies on “what to wear at the races”.

 

The highlights of the 2011 racing season include:

• Easter Monday 25 April – Bank Holiday racing and lots of children’s entertainments;
• Bank Holiday Monday 30 May – Tote 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 £150,000 Tote Two Year Old Trophy, the Listed Guisborough Stakes and the final of the John Smith’s Straight Mile Championship Series.

 

The first race of seven on Monday 18 April is scheduled for 2.20pm, with admission gates open from midday. The finale is at 5.25pm.

 

General admission on Monday 18 April

 

Grandstand £12 (£15 on Easter Monday);

Course Enclosure £4 (£5 on Easter Monday). 

Accompanied children under 16 always admitted free of charge. 

Seniors £9 Grandstand (£12) and £3 Course Enclosure (£4). 

Students £10 Grandstand.  

 

For more information please call us on  01642 484 068 or  contact us by email

 

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