A MAJOR investment in facilities for jockeys and racecourse staff at Redcar Racecourse has been praised by two of the north’s most successful female riders.
The £600,000 upgrade at Redcar includes new, modern changing facilities for both male and female jockeys in the weighing room building overlooking the winners’ enclosure.
As well as incorporating the weighing room and male jockeys’ changing area, the 1920s building previously housed the racecourse office.
However, a new racecourse office has been built nearby, freeing up space for a new changing area for female jockeys (pictured below) immediately next to the weighing room and male jockeys’ changing facilities.
The male jockeys' changing area is pictured below
Female jockeys previously had to change in a building away from the weighing room, meaning they had to walk through spectators before and after races.
The changes have been welcomed by two of Redcar’s most successful female jockeys, Faye McManoman and Jo Mason.
Faye, pictured below, had her first ride at Redcar on a horse called Slaying The Dragon, for Nigel Tinkler, in April 2017, and rode her first double at the seaside track, in June 2021, when she won on Imperium Blue and Truth In Jest.
She said: “I’m very fond of Redcar, it’s a lovely galloping track, and I can’t wait for their season to start so I can see the new facilities.
“Thankfully, we are seeing improvements in facilities for female jockeys at tracks around the country, and it’s great to see Redcar recognising the need to keep up with the times.
“It wasn’t ideal having to walk through the crowds to get to and from the weighing room, and it made you feel a little bit detached from everything. This change will make us feel more comfortable and welcome, so it’s great news.”
Jo Mason, pictured below, another popular rider at Redcar, added: “There are a lot more female jockeys riding now, so it’s important that racecourses up their game, and it’s great to see Redcar doing just that.
“We’ve been quite a long way from the weighing room up to now, so it’s a really welcome move by Redcar, and I’m really looking forward to the season getting going there on April 20.”
The redevelopment, carried out by Northallerton construction company, Tom Willoughby Ltd, also includes a new medical room, stand-alone jockeys’ warm-up area, jockeys’ relaxation lounge, physio facilities, and valet room.
Redcar’s general manager, Amy Fair, described the investment as “a real vote of confidence in the future of the racecourse”.
“This investment represents a significant overhaul in facilities for jockeys and racecourse staff and, on top of other recent improvements, brings Redcar into the modern era. We are delighted with the way everything looks and we can’t wait for the new season to start.”
To enable the work to be completed, Redcar’s season starts a little later than usual this year, with the first of 18 meetings taking place on April 20. In place of the traditional Easter Monday curtain-raiser, there is a new ‘Beach Party’ evening meeting on May 7, although the Easter Monday meeting will return in 2027.
Meanwhile, the 2026 season will also see a greater emphasis on family fun on top of well-established highlights like Ladies Day (June 20), Circus Family Fun Day (July 19), Caribbean Carnival Family Day (August 8), and Gents’ Evening (August 22).
The Beach Party evening meeting on May 7 will feature local DJ Chris Dryden, while a new Summer Family fun day on July 29 will include games featuring space hoppers, noughts and crosses, Giant Jenga, Connect Four, Snakes and Ladders, and a bouncy castle.
ZooLab, providing educational, close-up experiences with animals, will be a new feature on Zetland Gold Cup Family Day (May 25), Summer Family Fun Day (July 29), and Poppy Appeal Autumn Half-Term Family Fun Day (October 26).
Redcar has also teamed up with The Unicorn Centre (Riding for the Disabled) to stage a series of hobby horse races this season, with the final taking place on Two-Year-Old Trophy Day on October 3.