It's ready! The brand new Sheriff Hutton racecourse

Britain's Newest Racecourse: Mick Easterby unveils Sheriff Hutton



Britain's Newest Racecourse: Mick Easterby unveils Sheriff Hutton


Posted: 06.03 01 Apr 2026
News


"It'll be the Ascot of the north."

That was legendary racehorse trainer Mick Easterby's verdict as he unveiled his new racecourse after a six year project finally came to fruition this week.

Scheduled to coincide with the 95th birthday of Britain's longest serving racehorse trainer, Sheriff Hutton racecourse will host it's first flat fixture in August as it becomes the country's 60th racecourse.

"They've been begging me to do it for years," said a proud Mick on Monday as he cut the ribbon for a delegation of racing dignitaries.

"I've had to dig deep and I've footed all the bills myself but the people of the village will enjoy the thrill of being on the racing map."

"Next year there's floodlights going up and then an all weather track will follow. I've said that when I get to 100 years old we'll host the Ebor here in 2031, and one day we'd like to have one of the classics."

Mick Easterby and Jo Mason have had a hands-on role in the project


Leading jockeys Joanna Mason and Billy Garritty have ridden the course and yesterday gave it their thumbs up.

"Grandad's really proud of it," said Joanna after completing a circuit on stable star Sondad. "He's kept it secret and it's been hard not to spill the beans, but he's done it and it'll be here for years to come."

Mick and Joanna have had a hands on approach and Jo has been out supervising the proceedings before riding out in a morning.

However it's not all been plain sailing.

"We hit a few snags along the way," said Mick. "There were all sorts of underground waterways and these needed diverting and draining. But the worst bit was when the diggers found bones. We think it used to be a plague pit where they put bodies from the village back in the 1300s. We had to relocate them and put them somewhere safe while the works went on, then we reburied them under the stands."

"We had TV archaeologist Tony Robinson down to have a look and he's made a programme about it that'll be on Channel 4 later in the year. It worked out well and I even managed to sell him a racehorse."

"I also got me walking stick stuck in the concrete foundation when I tested it to see if it was set, that made a right mess."

Mick and David checking the foundations for the grandstand in 2024.


"I just hope it doesn't cause too much traffic, as we'd expect 10,000 or so to come on a weekend when we're in full swing. Thankfully the hotels we're building will have plenty of parking spaces."

"The plan is to use the course all year round. When the flat season finishes in November we're going to host zebra and camel racing to keep the turnstiles ticking over. Each raceday will have a big funfair in the middle of the course and there'll be music until midnight."

"I'm not looking to make money," insists Mick. "Just bring me some packets of Werthers sweets or a nice bit of beef and you can come in for free."