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Covid is relevant, though, RTB. I have friends who would go racing once a year – on Derby Day – but that wasn’t possible in 2020 and they haven’t been back since. All of us who live locally know people like that.
And they’re people who live just a few miles from the course, so imagine what it’s like for those travelling from further afield.
I’m not saying it isn’t relevant but that people need to stop blaming it and do something about it.
The more I know the less I understand.
I know that a lot of people attending the Derby could not tell a good racehorse from a bad one, but it’s notable that the decline in the race’s attendance mirrors the decline in its stature.
Winning the Derby is nowhere near as prestigious as it used to be. More and more high profile international races seem to be chipping away at its place in the pecking order.
Even if it was a poor year, the idea of the Derby winner being gelded to continue racing rather than going to stud would have been unthinkable a couple of decades ago, yet that is the fate that befell Serpentine after his victory in 2020.
The breeding industry wants milers an 10f horses so no wonder its relevance is waning.
“Winning the Derby is nowhere near as prestigious as it used to be.”
Could this be due, in part at least, to Coolmore?
In the old days, stables considered themselves lucky if they had one Derby horse so, come Derby Day, we knew that the best were taking on the best. Now, Ballydoyle’s scattergun approach means that they are winning the race with their third-, fourth- or fifth-strings, such as Serpentine, who you mentioned, and Wings Of Eagles.
When a race is regularly won by horses who aren’t even considered the best in their own yard, of course its prestige is going to suffer.
Of course, the increased profile of international racing hasn’t helped; maybe the British authorities should look at the relatively low prize money the country’s greatest flat race offers in comparison to its overseas rivals. You can’t live off past glories for ever.
It is also impossible for the racecourse to become a round course due to the public status of the land.
Not impossible, just rather complicated, as evidenced by the conversion of York into a circuit for ‘Royal Ascot at York’ in 2005
The Knavesmire is common/public land, being part of Micklegate Stray* and there was much concern that adding the ‘new bend’ would infringe all sorts of local time-honoured by-laws
The compromise reached was to allow the conversion to a circuit only if the old 2m (Lonsdale) to 1m 6f (Ebor) stretch was returned to the common, which was duly done
Making flat old York into a circuit was straightforward but – although I’m not familiar with the topgraphy of Epsom Downs – I guess a bend from finishing post to Derby start would be Towcester hill-like
*York’s Strays are areas of common land. See:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strays_of_YorkI don’t think it would be possible at Epsom. When the old grandstand was in place and it was possible to get a panoramic view of the course, it was striking how much higher up the Derby start was from the finish.
Wings Of Eagles was a real low point for the Derby. Even the usually cheerful and upbeat O’Brien couldn’t disguise his disappointment. It was obvious The Lads wanted Cliffs Of Moher to win.
The idea that ‘most people are at work’ counting against the return to a Wednesday Derby didn’t hold water in the old days when most people were at work but nevertheless managed to turn up in their tens of thousands, so why should it now when – I’m fairly confident in thinking – the numbers working the traditional 9-5 Mon-Fri office/factory bound week has declined in favour of a more 24/7 ‘shift pattern’ with flexible hours. Plus the retired cohort now comprises a bigger percentage of the whole population than it ever has done
So, why not introduce a ‘Super Wednesday’ on which the Derby, Oaks and Coronation Cup would all be run. Little competition from other sports allowing the advertising and marketing bods free-rein to promote the ‘big day’ from weeks in advance, and after a few years the event might just re-enter the national conciousness
The Hill will never fill as it used to but it would surely be better than this and recent years’ dismal shows
I like the idea of one day with the three Group 1s, with the Diomed, Woodcote, Dash and either the 1m 2f or 1m 4f handicap in support.
I think the authorities are less than enthusiastic about the idea in case they get a day like Saturday. All three Group 1s being run on soft ground, with the Derby being run on the worst of the lot, would be a risk.
Personally, I think it is a risk worth taking. Derby Day will only be an occasion again if the racing programme is strong. Saturday’s card was dross, for the most part.
Indeed the Saturday card is pathetic apart from the Derby. Either have the oaks and Derby on the same day or have at least two group 2 races to support it. Maybe horses not good enough to contest the Royal ascot group ones. One over 6 furlongs and one over a mile. Not sure moving to weds will change much but worth a try. Can move it back if necessary. It certainly can’t go on as it is. Plus,many outlets have highlighted there was no promotion of the race. Loads of royal ascot stuff but virtually none for Epsom. Charging children upwards of £50 is scandalous.
So many things they can fix short term but fear will get a lot of talking and buzz words but no proper actions that might improve it. Start by asking chester how they get much more for a standard summer meeting.Just watched high chaparral v hawk wing in 2002. Changed days. Crowd was enormous all over the hill.
“Many outlets have highlighted there was no promotion of the race…Start by asking Chester how they get much more for a standard summer meeting.”
Chester is heavily promoted in the local area. There are plenty of adverts for it in railway stations, bus stops etc in the Liverpool area. I have also seen Chester races advertised on television and in local cinemas.
Chester benefits from being an urban course. It is only a very short walk from the city centre with all its pubs, bars and shops etc. Epsom does have railway stations near by but its actual location, perched on top of a hill above the town, does feel a bit isolated.
With the weather set fair for next week, I just had a look at availability for Ascot tickets.
The Queen Anne enclosure (how I hate that word – it makes racegoers sound like livestock) is a ridiculous £99 per head.
Makes Epsom seem relatively good value.
Melbourne Cup day similar to Derby Day at Epsom the big one supported by pretty average card , the stand I go to opposite winning post under cover is The Hill stand in the equivalent of Tatts enclosure in UK , this year 400 bucks reserved seat , 190 odd pounds . They are almost all sold out only a few left and the race is in Nov . For me that’s not want I will pay, the better days are the Saturdays either side , Vic Derby Day and Champions Day stacked with group ones , they are 195 for same seat so similar to that 99 for RA next week.
My favorate day is Turnball Stakes Day , group 1s , Derby Trial and stacks of group races in early October for 30 bucks last year for same seat , see the best horses in more comfort .“Makes Epsom seem relatively good value.”
I am not so sure. At least the Royal Ascot card is quality all the way through. Whether it is £99 card quality is debatable but it is certainly better than the meagre fare which Epsom served up.
Given a choice, I would rather pay £99 for a quality card than £85 for in effect one race. Even more so when the latter card treats us to not one but two five furlong sprint handicaps, which are not to my liking.
Both pretty poor value imo.
Compare those prices with what you’d pay for big races abroad.I suppose its the price we pay for having greedy racecourses and lily-livered bookmakers. Though what benefit we get from either is hard to say.
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