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Alarming feature in the Racing Post today
I had noticed that many crowds were certainly down on previous years (but some like challow hurdle were as busy as I’ve seen) but the figures were startling across the board. And not just the jumps
Personally I don’t but the cost arguments or the perennially one about catering or even the presence of heavy drinking. These aren’t markedly different to before
Is it just post pandemic and people out of habit? I sense that’s the major factor myself
Racecourses only have themselves to blame. High prices, both for getting in and food and drink, combined with poor customer service; the fact that most courses just want coachloads of drunk and/or charlied-up Peaky Blinders wannabes and Essex Girl- types says it all.
And things are going to get even worse as the cost of living goes up and people have less disposable income.
The guy on Nick Luck yesterday said the major events were as good as they ever were numbers-wise, it’s the bog standard stuff that’s getting hammered.
I do wonder if that’s a reflection of a change in priorities from people after covid. I can certainly see the argument that people are much more inclined to stay home and have a night in for your average day then splash out on a big event, it being the big events people were really denied during the pandemic. People just got comfortable at home, and were forced to realise that a few cans and a bottle of wine is just as good bus > train > racing > betting > meal > drinks > taxi on a random Thursday evening. He also said, when talking about competition for attention with racing their big rivals were Netflix and the like, not other events.
If you can have a night in for €30/£20, and it’s triple that to go out for an average day of racing (being cheap) then it seems the nights in will eventually pay for one absolutely massive day out, or even an overnight somewhere.
My fear with the drop in attendances at racecourses, is the building developers start sniffing around.
Even if the cost of admission etc stays the same, it’s the cost of everything else going up that’s the problem. A day at the races will be the first casualty when it comes to people’s budgets.
Plenty of people still have lots of money to spend but they are the ones going to festivals and Saturdays.
Let’s not forget that covid probably killed off quite a few midweek attendees and many of those left may still not want to go (rightly or wrongly but let’s not go there again).
Covid has shown folk they dont have to put up with bad food,bad service and extortionate prices. I love to go to as many concerts as possible each year but I’m ruling out gigs where I know I’m going to get ripped off. If I’m going to go racing far more likely yo be York or Doncaster than many other courses. Once someone has a poor experience it’s a huge loss to the courses if they don’t come back. They can’t afford to loads lots of regular punters.
Too much racing, too much bog standard racing, and too high prices for entrance, and food/drink. Racing/ Racecourses can’t really complain….it’s a competitive market, if people find another leisure pursuit which gives them better value for money, then that’s where they’ll go.
I’d noticed this from the figures for April that have been published – don’t have access to the Post article, but here are some numbers.
Nmkt Craven meeting – pre pandemic 4,500 + for each of the three days. This year 3,400 for the Wednesday, under 3,000 for the other two days.
Cheltenham April meeting – pre pandemic, 10,000 – 12,000 each day, this year under 6,000 both days.
Newbury Greenham Day – pre pandemic between 7,500 and 9,500, this year 4,800.
The last one was unusual for being on Easter Saturday, but hard to see why that should affect attendance.
I would normally have gone to Salisbury yesterday, a meeting I’ve attended for many years. But it’s not price, or alternative pursuits that put me off, but the small fields further reduced by non runners.
I think no one’s read the piece here. The article gave numbers for the big days being hammered with the slump
Don’t buy the drink food cost at all frankly. I know a few occasional attendees and it’s never mentioned
Compare costs with other outside activities and the point doesn’t weigh up. How much is a league 2 match for instance ? And a west end theatre or some has been concert at the 02?
Why’s everyone going on about the food? Was it Michelin 4 star burgers before ?
Football attendances are right back where they were. Is it because of the food? Somewhat unlikely I think
Ap is probably onto part of problem. Kempton members very quiet today and this is usually a reasonably popular meeting. But the field sizes…
It is a classic case of racing being short sighted. It has gone out of its way to attract people who have little or no interest in the sport but alienated its real supporters.
I used to go racing almost every Saturday. Now I would not go near a racecourse at the weekend and certainly not to my local tracks Haydock and Chester. I do not want to be surrounded by pissheads and coke heads or by loud stag and hen parties.
I still attend midweek meetings but not as offen. However, cost is a factor. Train fares are not cheap now, even when you book in advance. I am also reluctant to pay more than £20 for a modest fixture (I am going to Wolverhampton next week which is a very reasonable £13 after the booking fee).
I think the cost once inside the racecourse is an issue. £4 for a cup of tea or £7 for a pint is taking the piss.
This situation is only going to get worse. I believe there will be comfortable double digit inflation by the end of the year and energy costs will continue to go up and up. Racing had better start getting prepared for a huge hit. Fewer people will be able to afford to go racing or have a bet.
I really do think there is a complete lack of understanding how grim the economic situation is going to get, not just for racing. It will take power cuts and food shortages before it becomes clear.
But cork. Why are football attendances higher than ever? Look at the drink cost there?
It’s not the factor or even part of it I believe
Fair point Clive, maybe that is more about me.
I think the more significant factor I’d the other things I mentioned. I know the past was not a Golden Age but it was not such a bad place either.
I genuinely think racing crowds about 30 years or so ago (when I first started going racing) were different. There were not as many drugs, there were certainly not as many people snorting the white powder, if any. There were not the loud stag and hen parties or crowds who were just there for a concert.
The crowds I remember were there because they liked horses, racing and having a bet. Perhaps the sad fact is (as Richard alludes to above) that generation has now had or is about to have its appointment with the Grim Reaper. And it has been replaced by a brasher crowd which racecourses are happy to accommodate as long as they spend a fortune on extortionately priced drinks in the bar.
It has reached the point where I don’t really mind and I am just happy with a quiet midweek meeting at Wolverhampton or Ludlow.
Do the gates open later in the day for free access like they used to, or does it depend on the track?
Food and drink in football is irreverent.
You can turn up 5 minutes before kick off then 45 minutes of action. 15 minute break then 45 minutes of action
Horse racing has 6 or 7 races with between 30 and 40 minutes break in-between.
If you haven’t made your pre sandwiches or have the endurability to wait for after racing you are left with what’s on offer at the trackBlackbeard to conquer the World
Is the quality of racing really a factor in attendances?
I was at Aintree and Perth in recent weeks and there were very few people up in the stands with a pair of binoculars. Instead plenty of people were chatting their way through the races with little interest in what was happening in front of them.
Entrance prices have to be an issue. Perth were £25 on the Wednesday and Thursday and £30 on the Friday(all one enclosure). Ridiculous for a midweek fixture.
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