ON A wet and blustery day, Catterick racecourse threw open its gates to an army of sensibly-clad racing buffs who, with hats pulled down around ears and hands plunged deep into generously cut jackets, braved the cold for an entertaining afternoon on the turf.

After a warming glass of red wine, Northern Horse joined the throng of racegoers for a slice of the action. Seven races were lined up, with hurdle and steeplechases attracting a quality field of horses from some of Yorkshire's finest training yards.

Catterick holds 28 race meetings a year, running from January 1 to December 28, with a winning combination of jump and Flat racing attracting trainers from Middleham, the North-East and Scotland.

Its motto, "The course with character", applies to both the venue and its patrons. The track is a left-handed oval of about a mile, with tight turns and an undulating surface. For five-furlong races on the Flat, there is an extension with a downhill start which kinks sharply to the left as it joins the oval, requiring skill and agility from both horse and rider.

Catterick racegoers are a knowledgeable crowd who come for the horses and racing rather than the social occasion. This day was no different, as 1,800 stood, watching and waiting for "their horse" to romp home.

"The course's facilities are continually being updated", general manager Jonjo Sanderson told Northern Horse. He also reported that they spent £600,000 on recent improvements. "While we have already spent money on the hospitality facilities, my long-term ambition is to have a new grandstand," he added.

Before the first race, the Watch Racing UK Live On 423 Novices' Hurdle, the 16 horses and their jockeys prepared themselves in the paddock after the weigh-in. The riders' thin, white breeches did nothing to spare them from the chill wind but, bolstered by adrenaline, they soldiered on.

The race, over two miles three furlongs, was eventful, with jockey Barry Keniry breaking his nose after a heavy fall on the first circuit. His horse, American President, ran out and, we were told by a security official, was later retrieved from a roundabout outside the course.

To a round of applause, owner Paul Beck picked up the prize for this race in the winner's enclosure after his horse, Stan, was first past the post. In the crowd was fellow owner and trainer Sharon Watt, from nearby Scorton, whose horse Top the Bill came fifth.

Enjoying a post-race drink in the bar with friends, Sharon remained in good spirits. "The course was a bit sharp for him today and the race was a lot shorter distance than he normally does," she said.

"Still, we like Catterick because it's the only track in the country that doesn't get too heavy and it's only down the road for us." Catterick races are a real family affair for the Watts - Sharon's husband, Bill, makes the fences for the course.

Northern Horse also spotted Middleham trainer Kate Walton with one of her owners, enjoying a drink before their horse, Dajazar, bred by the Aga Khan's studs, ran in the third race of the day, the Christmas Time Handicap Hurdle.

But Kate missed out to Leyburn's Ferdy Murphy, whose seven-year-old horse, Basilea Star, came first. The winning jockey, 22-year-old Keith Mercer, who had earlier ridden Sharon Watt's horse, Top the Bill, in the 12.20, was notching up 34 wins in 250 rides.

"Basilea Star likes the soft ground," said Keith. "The going was just right for him."

Being a jockey is a risky business and watching horse and rider thunder past when they are your nearest and dearest is nothing short of heart-stopping. That was certainly true for Martina Mulhall, the wife of trainer and jockey Clive Mulhall, who rode Skewsby trainer Pete Maddison's five-year-old Lothian Falcon to fifth place in the Come Racing Again On 28th December Intermediate Open National Hunt Flat Race.

Sheltering in the warmth of the Owners' and Trainers' Bar, Martina sat with her young daughter, Charlotte, who accompanies her mother to all Clive's races.

"I used to be really scared for him," said Martina, "but I just have to let him get on with it. It's taken some time to feel like that, but it really is the only way to cope. We have our own point-to-point yard in Scarcroft, near Leeds, and come to every race that Clive is in."

Trainer Pete Maddison's daughter Gemma kept Martina company and, like her companion, tries to go to every meet in which her father's horses are racing. "This is the first time I've been to Catterick, though," she said. "I've come to see Banana Ridge in the fifth race."

Gemma watched her father's horse finish 11th in the Goracing.co.uk Amateur Riders' "Hands And Heels" Handicap Hurdle.

Standing against the rails as the horses dash past is a thrilling, exciting experience. The sound of hooves takes on a locomotive rhythm and the clods of flying earth only add to the sense of drama.

As the horses leap the fences, jockeys defy gravity in the most spectacular way, with feet clamped into irons and knees jutted up almost to chin height.

Silk-clad bottoms stand high above postage-stamp saddles built for speed rather than comfort and jockeys lean forward, creating a streamlined machine.

Flaying hooves snag and catch the brush fences as they race over them, giving course officials the cue to begin their repair work. With a round of hasty bashes from a deftly wielded wax hat, the brush is hammered neatly back into place and left ready for the next circuit.

This was wonderfully demonstrated after Runaway Bishop's jockey fell in the final stretch of the Document Express Limited Anniversary Handicap Chase. Luckily, he was not badly hurt and, although slightly dazed, walked from the track, accompanied by the racecourse doctor.

Mr Sanderson is right in describing Catterick as a homely track, small and intimate, where you are on top of the action.

The 28-year-old arrived at the racecourse only two-and-a-half years ago from Doncaster, where he was sponsorship manager.

Employed by his father James, who owns International Racecourse Management, the company contracted to run Catterick, Redcar and Wetherby, Jonjo works alongside his 13 members of staff to bring first-class racing to Catterick.

"Managing this racecourse is a way of life," said Jonjo, "and there are not many people who can say that their work is also their hobby.

"My friends think I am really lucky and so do I."

Published: 31/12/2004