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That’s what poachers pockets are for. Failing that I always plan to say I’m on a special diet and have to have my own sandwiches. I can’t afford to go racing and pay the astronomical prices they charge for food. Or eat the rubbish they sell.
I have two very simple rules in life.
1. I never request there be live horse racing at any restaurant I attend.
2. I never request there be food and drink at any racecourse I visit.
Regarding restaurants solely as places you eat and drink and racecourses solely as places you watch racing works very well I find.
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It's the "Millwall FC" of Point broadcasts: "No One Likes Us - We Don't Care"One is at Goodwood today – almost 38 years to the day since my first visit in 1984 when I saw Commanche Run and Rousillon both win – and it’s suitably Glorious weather.
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It's the "Millwall FC" of Point broadcasts: "No One Likes Us - We Don't Care"A wonderful afternoon and early evening at the most beautiful racecourse on the planet.
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It's the "Millwall FC" of Point broadcasts: "No One Likes Us - We Don't Care"I’m going to Donny for the first time next Saturday. Obviously, it’s a big day and likely to be full of charlied-up Peaky Blinders wannabes, but I’ve taken the precautionary step of booking the Premier Enclosure in the hope that I’ll be surrounded by a higher class of drug addict.
Any Donny racegoer tips?
St Leger Day 1978 was my first trip to Doncaster on the Flat, Gladders.
I’ve been back since, last there when Kingston Hill won it, and tbf it’s not changed that much in my view.
You should be relatively safe in the Premier Enclosure.
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It's the "Millwall FC" of Point broadcasts: "No One Likes Us - We Don't Care"You are braver than me, Glad! I could not face the Saturday crowds, so I am going on the Wednesday instead like I did last year.
Not sure what sort of tips you are after. I assume you have your travel and accommodation all sorted out? If you are going by train, plenty of buses head out to the racecourse from the bus station next to the railway station. Although it is reachable on foot if you prefer walking.
There is a good pre-parade ring at Doncaster where you can get a close up view of the horses. Might be worth checking out if you are a paddock watcher.
The main paddock is in front of the grandstand, which means you do not have the long walk from paddock to betting ring that you have on some tracks.
Food and drink seemed to be standard racecourse fare and about the sort of prices you expect to pay nowadays.
If you like a drink before or after racing, there is a pub called Hallcross not too far away on the route back to the city centre. It used to brew its own beer on the premises but it has been contracted out to a local brewery now, including its legendary strong ale called “Old Horizontal”. There is a small cask beer bar on Platform 3 of the station as well.
Excellent stuff, CAS. Thanks! 👍
My hotel is within easy walking distance of the racecourse; I’ve already found that micro pub in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide and will be visiting it both getting off and on the train next weekend.
I’ll try to venture to the pre-parade ring from Premier at least once, although I may be deterred from so doing if the CUPBW crowd are too numerous/argumentative.
It sounds like you are all set for a good trip, Glad. Hope you find a winner or two.
The micro pub is indeed micro, so probably best to visit when the racegoers are not around as it sounds like you are doing.
There is a pub near the station called The Leopard which is OK and does a discount on production of a CAMRA card, if you are a member.
I always thought the Kebab House on Printing Office Street was very acceptable – I once ate FOUR large donor kebabs there one lunchtime St Leger week.
This, however, was Chezza in his 20s, a young fella who had even less good taste than he possesses now.
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It's the "Millwall FC" of Point broadcasts: "No One Likes Us - We Don't Care"Not at the races but I am at a racecourse. Walking around the infield at Chester. Quite a pleasant walk on a sunny September afternoon.
On walking across the track, I thought there was a good covering of grass but maybe on the firm side of good. Better start the watering for next weekend’s meeting soon!
“Well jealous,” as they say.
My Dad went to Chester grammar school 1945/51, told me stories about the May meeting, and I’ve walked past the track a few times while doing the City Walls stroll.
But I’ve never actually ever been racing there!
The Chester Vase, not the Chester Cup, is the race I really want to see one day.
Something to do with seeing Shergar win it by 12 lengths in 1981 on the telly, I think.
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It's the "Millwall FC" of Point broadcasts: "No One Likes Us - We Don't Care"I have not been to Chester races myself for almost 20 years. The crowd that goes to there now rather puts me off. Although a friend who often goes there tells me the Dee Stand crowd are much better than the County Stand types, which I can certainly believe.
I often see the track when I go to Chester. The previous time I saw it was from the train when I went to Bangor on Dee two weeks ago.
I had never walked around a circuit of the track before. I suppose there is nothing to stop you walking on the track itself but there is a strip on turf next to the inside rail.
It might seem like a very obvious point but walking the circuit makes you realise just how much it is constantly on the turn. When you stand at the 5 furlong start and look back to the stands and see just how much the track turns, you realise those drawn on the outside have next to no chance.
A unique, historic track and it was good to get a new perspective on it.
Walking the course always gives a unique individual perspective – it’s good exercise and invariably informative.
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It's the "Millwall FC" of Point broadcasts: "No One Likes Us - We Don't Care"
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