Northerly dueled over the final 800 metres. Nonetheless, Northerly was a decisive winner of the Horse of the Year Award. In August 2003 swelling was found in his off-foreleg. This revealed a torn tendon, and with it, Northerly's career seemed over. Attempting to buck the odds, Northerly returned to the track in August 2004. Months of speculation ended when he galloped and then trialled successfully. A crowd of 30,000 descended on Belmont racecourse in Perth to see his return. Carrying 64.5 kilograms, Northerly was fourth most of the way and got to the lead in sight of the winning post, only
The Racecourse, Northampton by 2005, plans for the new facilities were warranted. Bad luck continued to hamper the building's use as in 2010, Legionella bacteria were found resulting in the changing rooms being closed three times in five years. The most recent of these occasions occurred in May 2012. By 2010 the Racecourse welcomed another development which saw the council spend £85,000 on an adventure park space including a zip wire, climbing frame complex and five-person buddy swing.. A Parkrun takes place each week comprising two laps of the racecourse. It is estimated that thousands of members of public use the park each