Douglas Erskine-Crum

[Mr Frisk]

ASCOT RACECOURSE MEDIA RELEASE<br> <br>October 19th 2006 – Release 10am<br> <br>CEO ASCOT RACECOURSE<br> <br>The Board of Ascot has been informed by its Chief Executive, Douglas Erskine-Crum, of his intention to leave Ascot in the New Year. After nearly 13 years with Ascot, he has decided that the time has come for him to find a new challenge and to handover to someone new.

Douglas will leave Ascot in the New Year and the search for his successor has commenced. If necessary, on Douglas’s departure, Janet Walker, Commercial and Finance Director, will assume the role of Acting Chief Executive until Douglas’s successor has been appointed.<br> <br>The Duke of Devonshire said:<br>"We are indebted to Douglas for all he has achieved at Ascot. He has taken Ascot into the 21st Century and realised its potential as one of the great racecourses in the world. We will miss him greatly, we thank him for everything and wish him well for the future. In the meantime, we have a strong team in place to manage a time of transition. The search for his successor has already commenced."

Douglas Erskine-Crum said:<br>"After nearly 13 years and with the redevelopment largely completed, the time has come for me to find a new challenge in the next phase of my career. I thank everyone at Ascot, and in racing, for their support and help over the years. I will look back on my time at Ascot with great pride and wish the Board and team every success in the future."

[Brevityy]

Very concerning if J Walker does take over. Commercial type through and through.

[Lingfield]

Has Ascot’s PR man, Frankie Dettori, issued a statement?<br>Also share concerns that it will go even more corporate mad

[guskennedy]

Despite his name, Erskine-Crum came across as a remarkably unstuffy and approachable type but I suspect somebody’s head had to roll after the new stand fiasco.

[clivex]

such an oversight to see what is a wonderful stand in so many ways built without proper consideration for the average punter

Imagine the new wembley (dont laugh) having sightlines where you could only see half the pitch

Im suprised this bad error happened because he did much to humanise Ascot imo

[FlatSeasonLover]

You mean there will be a new wembley Clivex?:o

[apracing]

<br>From what I hear, he might be facing another PR problem next week when the first NH meeting is held.

I’m told that a leading trainer was invited along to walk the course a few days ago and his subsequent comments about the chase track include ‘disgrace’, ‘no grass’, and ‘rock hard’ – and I’ve removed the expletives.

AP

[Nor1]

He was unstuffy and very approachable. I once wore wellington boots in the paddock area on a very wet day and was told to change my footwear. <br>He sorted out the matter. He was aware of the snobbish atmosphere and determined to change this.<br>It is a pity about the new stand but unfortunately the trend in racing seems to be not to worry much about watching the racing, merely to bet, drink, and eat.

[wit]

The South China Morning Post suggests today that EC might follow EB at the HKJC:

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Last week, the board of Ascot racecourse in England was informed by its chief executive, Douglas Erskine-Crum, of his intention to leave the organisation in the new year

…..Why the rush? Unless there has been an agreement reached to start somewhere else, say on February 1 – the date Engelbrecht-Bresges takes over from Lawrence Wong Chi-kong as chief executive of the Hong Kong Jockey Club and vacates his present role [as executive director of racing]?

Erskine-Crum is credited with taking the historic Ascot course, on land owned by Queen Elizabeth, into the 21st century with a massive redevelopment programme. He has overseen the arrival of southern hemisphere challengers that have breathed fresh life into the royal meeting in June, and ensured Ascot became a part of the Global Sprint Challenge, won last year by Hong Kong’s Cape Of Good Hope.

Erskine-Crum is no stranger to Hong Kong, having lived in Stanley during his years of service with the British Army.

A spokesman for the Jockey Club said: "We have not approached him."

But from Erskine-Crum himself came a more telling response of "no comment"<br><<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

http://racing.scmp.com/freeservice/news … 61025d.asp

best regards

wit

[Lingfield]

Quote: from apracing on 8:23 am on Oct. 20, 2006[br]<br>From what I hear, he might be facing another PR problem next week when the first NH meeting is held.

I’m told that a leading trainer was invited along to walk the course a few days ago and his subsequent comments about the chase track include ‘disgrace’, ‘no grass’, and ‘rock hard’ – and I’ve removed the expletives.

AP<br>

It’s reportedly firm in the straight. Ironic that a meeting at Newbury in the same county was called off due to waterlogging a few days ago.<br>Is the drainage too good?

[FlatSeasonLover]

Stickels said because the soils is new and immature it isn’t very good at retaining water.

[Author]

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