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I’ve enjoyed several winter – dark at 3.30 – afternoons at Catterick: they are a chill, timeless A1-moaning-in-the-background
US
refuge from an alien, fleeting
THEM
neon-lit Primark trackie-and-trainer world
Though logically, Captain ARC Kirk, it t is a dirty-collar dump of another time outta time and ripe for redevelopment, be that white AWR or green (hallelujah!) cow pasture
True Story: about 35 years ago I chanced upon a youngish and relatively fresh-faced Derek ‘Thommo’ Thompson at Catterick races. The ‘big fella’ (in racing terms I suppose) was dashing towards the Tote windows accompanied by that cheesy grin that was later to become world famous after what I imagined was a decent fill-me-up. A little Bluey was handed over and yer man strutted away…though back then that would have got you pissed, bought a pizza and paid for the bus fare back to Darlo…
…believe it or not
The best way to deal with all weather is to simply ignore it. Don’t watch it and don’t bet on it. Eventually it might go away.
What a stupid thing to say, it isn’t going away it is expanding and will continue to expand whether people like it or not.
Dubai is all weather, America is virtually all weather how do you propose sticking your head in the sand is going to change it? It is not! All weather is part of racing now accept it.
I wonder if you’ll still be saying that when they start converting the big courses: York, Ascot, Epsom, etc.
If the big owners wanted to run their horses on the AW they’d be doing so already. How many top horses have you seen running on an AW surface in the UK?
The big owners are running their horses on the AW. According to the Racing Post in 2013 Godolphin have sent out 843 runners of which over 20% of those have been on the AW. Kempton is their favourite track with nigh on 13% of all their runners being there.
Khalid Abdullah has sent out 350 runners of which just under 19% of those have been on the AW. Kempton is his favourite track with nigh on 12% of all their runners being there.
Owners and trainers have no problem running their horses on the AW, ( Stoute and Gosden both run over 20% of their runners on it) and if a "top" track were to change to AW they would run their top horses if the quality of the races suited. Admittedly not many classic winners have run on the AW but this years Oaks winner won as a 2yo on the AW as did 3 or 4 recent St Leger winners.
Admittedly not many classic winners have run on the AW but this years Oaks winner won as a 2yo on the AW as did 3 or 4 recent St Leger winners.
the 2009 1000 gns winner, Ghanaati, made her debut at Kempton
Newcastle granted permission to transfer their all their turf fixtures to all weather, but ARC, Newcastle and BHA will decide which ones are transferred.
Rubbish racing at Newcastle won’t exactly be a new phenomenon because they’ve switched to an AW surface.
Just as an example, their next midweek turf meeting on the evening of August 7th, consists of three class 6 races, three class 5 and one class 4 – and six of those seven races are handicaps. Total prize money for seven races is £30,000.
Another nail in the coffin of proper grass racing.
We will soon be like America.
It is a bookies dream.
Just imagine all weather racing all through summer.
AaaaaagggghhhhhAs so often, the facts are rather inconvenient for those who put the blinkers on when discussing AW racing.
If the big owners don’t run their horses on artifical surfaces, how come 14 of the 30 winners at Royal Ascot have run at least once on an AW/dirt track?
AP ….its the low grade percentages that get me
proper racing is not grade 5 and 6
Aw…and a lot of turf fixtures generally fit into this category
its dross pure and simple….low grade fare , where an entire card is run for 25- 30 k ….a mere pittance to go round
As an owner you know how much it costs , so how on earth do all the owners manage to keep the show on the road ???
I reckon fiddling is a key part of the equation
its my opinion of course
Apart from the Northumberland Plate and Gosforth Park Cup if I recall correctly there’s little of note at Newcastle on the Flat nowadays. The Beeswing, Seaton Delavel and Virginia Stakes were former Pattern races now lost or run as handicaps
So can’t say I’ll lose sleep if it becomes AW, and for fans of that persuasion the north could do with one
However, I may require a sleeping draught if the NH course is threatened with extinction
Cormack, could you please add
dross
to the swear filters. Thanks
Didn’t realise there was a Seaton Delaval race at Newcastle. We found Seaton Delaval [and Seaton Sluice] by accident the other year and spend a very pleasant day there
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Apart from the Northumberland Plate and Gosforth Park Cup if I recall correctly there’s little of note at Newcastle on the Flat nowadays. The Beeswing, Seaton Delavel and Virginia Stakes were former Pattern races now lost or run as handicaps
So can’t say I’ll lose sleep if it becomes AW, and for fans of that persuasion the north could do with one
However, I may require a sleeping draught if the NH course is threatened with extinction
Cormack, could you please add
dross
to the swear filters. Thanks
The Chipchase stakes on Plate day is a decent standard sprint. Won by the likes of Maarek and Jack Dexter recently. However, it is of course run on their big day so offers nothing to the rest of the calendar.
I agree that substituting to AW offers little difference IMO as it’s merely substituting the surface, not the class of race. In fact, the consistent standard of the surface will be more of an attraction from a punting perspective rather than the extremes f going (unless ARC balls it up like Wolvers fibresand debacle).Didn’t realise there was a Seaton Delaval race at Newcastle. We found Seaton Delaval [and Seaton Sluice] by accident the other year and spend a very pleasant day there
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Rather surprisingly there’s a Wkipedia article on the race:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seaton_Delaval_Stakes
Seaton Sluice Stakes would be a grand name for a high-profile sprint, and would of course be known affectionately as ‘The Sluice’
Did you see Seaton Delaval Hall? a splendid pile
I had my very own guided tour; we’d seen the shell of the house but I then ventured into the apartments at the side and got chatting to one of the guides there who then took me round the whole place
. We then, having heard about the terrible mining disaster that happened just up the road, went to the pithead where there’s a memorial, to pay our respects. I’m fascinated by Seaton Sluice but, not having an engineering type mind, can’t quite work it all out. The painting I’d bought [hence the drive over that way] showed the sluice and the island to the left of it. We combined the trip with a visit to Gramps who, at the time, lived in Whitley Bay, only to find that his weekly cleaning lady [who just happened to be there that day] actually grew up in one of the cottages in my painting. We still promise ourselves fish and chips in the pub overlooking the sluice. Another favourite place is Ashington. We’ve never been to Newcastle Races; maybe we should try to get there before it’s too late but we always have the dog with us when we’re oop north. But they surely allow whippets there; they do at Kelso!
Looks like the plans for Newcastle are being changed according to RUK, no news link yet but looks like these details will be being revealed shortly.
Trainers have banned together to oppose the plans.
Newcastle All Weather plans halted by BHA
Very good news . BHA were extremely precipitate in approving the transfer of the existing flat fixtures without carrying out any proper consultation .
The July consultation showed them that AW had reached saturation point as far as racegoers and viewers were concerned and the endless trash was a turn off .
Unless the BHA revoke its rule on race distances I cannot see how this can now go ahead . The size of the track makes floodlights on the round course impossibly expensive on one hand and environmentally impossible on the other due to a nature reserve and some homes.
Also if Catterick comes along and gets the go ahead plus leasehold fixtures the old we need an AW racecourse in the North point disappears.
If we have fixture saturation for the AW and a limited pool of AW fixtures for an increasing number of racecourses then Southwell does look doomed and Lingfield will surely have to get its turf track in proper order and run far more of its summer fixtures just on turf.
The BHA board also agreed further consultation should take place so the fullest possible range of options for an all-weather track in the north are reviewed ahead of the compilation of the 2016 Fixture List.
This will include further discussions with Catterick , which has recently confirmed in writing to BHA that it intends to proceed with a detailed application for planning consent for a fully floodlit all-weather track to replace its existing Flat turf track.
BHA chief executive Paul Bittar said: "There is a general consensus amongst stakeholders that there would be benefits to the sport from an all-weather track in the north. This is backed up by evidence of clear demand from horsemen as established in our recent review, as well as through formal engagement with stakeholders.
"We weighed up the advantages of introducing a floodlit northern all-weather track at Newcastle in the latter part of 2015 against the negative race planning impact and associated implications for the sport as a whole of granting an exemption to a key rule of racing.
"As a result, the Board decided there was insufficient evidence at this time to justify granting an exemption to the rule for the 2015 Fixture List.
"BHA will continue discussions with ARC around its plans for Newcastle, including matters relating to the existing turf track, plus other interested parties, including Catterick Racecourse.
"This is clearly a significant issue for the long-term structure and development of British Racing, and BHA is tasked with reaching the best outcome for the sport as a whole.
"The choice facing the sport is likely to be clearer next Spring, and will be revisited by the BHA Board then, in good time for the compilation of the 2016 Fixture List and related approvals for new or converted racetracks to enter the Fixture Allocation Process."
ARC admitted the decision was an "unwelcome delay", but remain keen to ensure racing takes place on the proposed all-weather track at Newcastle in 2016.
A statement on http://www.arenaracingcompany.co.uk read: "Arena Racing has reiterated its commitment in the company’s £10 million investment plan for Newcastle Racecourse. Under ARC’s management, Gosforth Park will be transformed into a global sporting venue with the introduction of a new all-weather track and additional improvements to enhance the experience for all racegoers.
"The planning application for a new floodlit all-weather surface on the flat track and enhanced racing facilities, including a glazed tiered restaurant, was unanimously approved by the Newcastle City Council Planning Committee in April. Following this the BHA gave permission for Newcastle Flat turf fixtures to be transferred to the all-weather surface upon completion of the new track.
"Since the start of 2014 ARC had been in discussions with the BHA regarding the proposed race programme at Newcastle. As part of these discussions ARC put forward proposals to ensure that the current balance in the race programme, specifically in relation to rule F26.1, could be maintained across afternoon and twilight fixtures hosted at Newcastle on the all-weather track.
"In light of today’s unwelcome delay in the project ARC remains committed and confident it can resolve race programme issues with the BHA, as well as owners and trainers. ARC will continue to work to ensure Newcastle’s all-weather track will host fixtures as part of the 2016 Fixture List.
"From the advent of this exciting project, ARC has had a positive dialogue with the BHA, the Newcastle City Council and the Newcastle business community, including the North East LEP and North East Chamber of Commerce. ARC would like to put on record its gratitude for the help and support it continues to be shown by all of the forenamed organisations."
Tony Kelly, ARC managing director said: "The transformation of Newcastle Racecourse will be the biggest investment project ARC has ever undertaken and follows on from the company’s £2 million investment in the new Tapeta surface at Wolverhampton and launch of the successful All Weather Championships last year.
"The benefits of a northern all-weather track are very clear. These include greater racing opportunities, an improved race programme for horses all year round and reduced travelling costs for owners. Newcastle remains the most viable option for delivering these for horsemen.
"We will continue to work with the BHA and look forward to embarking on this exciting project in August 2015."
David Williamson, Newcastle’s executive director, said: "This is an ambitious and prestigious project for Newcastle. The racecourse facilities we hope to have in place by the middle of 2016 will ensure we better meet the needs of horsemen based in the north, as well as putting the city firmly on the global stage, attracting new visitors and creating local jobs."
The National Trainers Federation believes the BHA has made the right move in giving this highly-charged issue some breathing space.
A statement, issued through NTF chief executive Rupert Arnold, read: "The BHA Board has made the right decision for British racing. With Arena Racing Company (ARC) putting back their development plans, there is a welcome opportunity for everyone in the sport to take stock and consider the best way forward.
"Horsemen in the north need an all-weather track but it must be delivered in a way that doesn’t threaten racing’s immensely valuable heritage."
ARC don’t want Racing UK getting in on the All Weather, All Weather is something At The Races has a virtual monopoly on (apart from Kempton) and they won’t want to lose out on this to a Racing UK track.
Unfortunately in it’s rush to keep ahead of Catterick & RUK ARC have been caught out and could loose the floodlit all weather to Catterick.
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