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I have been to many Grand Nationals but today was ridiculous as it resembled one huge booze up instead of a race meeting. I was in the Queen Mother roof stand today and everywhere I went there were people drinking and throwing their empty glasses and bottles on the floor. I’m sure being able to drink in the stands wasn’t allowed in the past but the racecourse staff just smiled and did absolutely nothing to control the crowds such as keeping the aisles clear.
Maybe I’m beng a miserable git but I’m certainly thinking twice about going there in the future as its not fun anymore.
To be fair, most major sporting events are also huge booze-ups.
The Grand National still pales in comparison to the debauchery of the Kentucky Derby and Preakness infields.
The rubbish all over the floor was incredible – gulls were having a field day at the end – it looked like a waste-fill site! Think it has to be accepted that a large majority of people are there for a day out at the races … they pay quite a lot of money for it all … I enjoyed it in the Sefton seats and people there were well-behaved and responded to being asked politely to move/stay/sit!
Sadly too many hen/stag dos end up at the races, folk who are not the least interested in racing just propping up the bar all day and maybe taking a sideways glance at the TV to see if their lucky number came up.
I’m lucky enough to be a Member at Newmarket racecourse and looking forward to the season ahead and on big race days like the Guineas and July Meeting with Newmarket Nights afterwards, it’s going to be rowdy around the bars, but people are generally well behaved and at least in the Members we can just get on with enjoying what we went there to see, beautiful thoroughbred horses and great racing.
Can’t wait for the Craven Meeting next week and the Guineas to follow. Cheltenham and Aintree have been great but I can’t wait for the flat season to get into full swing..Jac
Things turn out best for those who make the best of how things turn out...…folk who are not the least interested in racing just propping up the bar all day and maybe taking a sideways glance at the TV to see if their lucky number came up.
Careful, now. Without these people, betting shops wouldn’t exist.
Whilst I enjoy being at the National I agree on many counts with Phil. It comes as a surprise to me that a course supposedly under the Jockey Club banner is so alcohol oriented – seems the policy is get them as drunk as possible with where there used to be trade stands now being all forms of "bar" – cocktails, champagne etc. The freedom to take drinks anywhere and everywhere surprises me too. I’m no teetotaller – in fact I enjoy a drink in moderation but that’s just it, in moderation. I was also amazed to see the Fosters backpack sellers in evidence too as well as mobile ciggie sellers! Unless I missed it, I couldn’t find the usual information boards that tell you what’s going on after each race, I’ve asked Aintree where they were but don’t expect a reply in a hurry!
Whilst I enjoy being at the National I agree on many counts with Phil. It comes as a surprise to me that a course supposedly under the Jockey Club banner is so alcohol oriented – seems the policy is get them as drunk as possible with where there used to be trade stands now being all forms of "bar" – cocktails, champagne etc. The freedom to take drinks anywhere and everywhere surprises me too. I’m no teetotaller – in fact I enjoy a drink in moderation but that’s just it, in moderation. I was also amazed to see the Fosters backpack sellers in evidence too as well as mobile ciggie sellers! Unless I missed it, I couldn’t find the usual information boards that tell you what’s going on after each race, I’ve asked Aintree where they were but don’t expect a reply in a hurry!
In fairness it isn’t just JC racecourses – you have to also remember that alcohol sales are probably the biggest earner for the courses, so they have great incentive to sell as much as possible.
I think a lot of it comes down to the money that can be made from getting people in to ‘have a good time’.
The busiest I have seen Great Yarmouth was for one of their Fake That nights. Newmarket Nights seem to be packed too as it offers something to a different audience. In comparison, apart from the odd opportunistic group of lads, the later meetings at Newmarket Rowley Mile seem to be a lot more calmer and aimed at racing fans.I would also argue that, Aintree Festival aside, jumps racing is less orientated towards stag/hen parties and populated more by the enthusiast (although hard to believe walking around cheltenham!).
Royal Ascot is day dependent – I do think on the Thursday, fri, sat some people don’t even know the races are on!
Having said all that, after going to Great Leigh’s in the winter on a cold weekday when there were more bookies than punters I guess the weather/time of year may have a huge impact on the type of race goers?!
Just my thoughts.
Sorry to read you had a miserable time with the ….heads in the princess royal stand.
I used to go in that stand and can well remember wading through the bar to get to the terrace,it’s rather sad that people can’t be at the races without a drink welded to their hand.
Can I highly reccomend to you Phil the county stand roof, it’s the same price no bar to get through and has a strict no drinks policy on the roof terrace.
Also it’s a million times better than the aintree mound or the flea pit as my wife calls it lolI hate drunk crowds at race meetings, hence why I never go to Haydock anymore.
You would be hard to find more drunks in a city centre on a Saturday night than at Haydock on a Saturday meeting.
Still I suppose thats life and the way racing is going.
Peope spending money keeps the course going, sad as it is.I’ve been merrily drunk at many a race meeting but still the number 1 factor was enjoying the racing win or lose.
However last years Ebor Ladies day was an eye opener. I only had a couple of drinks and I have never ever (and I’m from Newcastle) seen a town so drunk before in my life after racing.
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