A NEW stand has been opened at Catterick Racecourse as part of a £3.5m development.

Rishi Sunak MP opened the new owners and trainers stand on Friday.

The new facility has been named Dales Stand to acknowledge both the Dales’ connection to the racing industry and the racecourse’s proximity to the Yorkshire Dales National Park.

The two-story Dales Stand features the Swaledale Room on the ground floor where owners can relax with trackside views of the course and enjoy a drink at the bar. The first floor is home to the Wensleydale Room, a restaurant which offers panoramic views of the whole course.

Mr Sunak said: "The developments at Catterick in recent years have been very impressive and the new Dales Stand is an outstanding final addition to the course, bringing it up to the very highest standards now expected by modern racegoers, owners and trainers.

"The team involved in designing, building and bringing the project to fruition have done a tremendous job."

The opening of the Dales Stand marks the completion of the third and final phase of a three-year, £3.5 million development.

Catterick’s first meeting with spectators is due to be the evening of Friday, May 21. Tickets for this meeting as well as Saturday, May 29 and Friday, June 4 are now available for sale.

All tickets should be booked in advance via www.catterickbridge.co.uk.