Racing crowds

[Betting Journo]

Hi guys, I hope you don’t mind me bumping this thread – apologies if I have ruined forum protocol in doing so. I was at Doncaster Races on Friday and will be writing a story about the reaction of the crowd to the race being voided. Would anyone be willing to send me their opinions on it please, along with their name (although don’t feel obliged to tell me this) and whereabouts they are from. Just send me a PM if anyone wishes to chat about it.

Thank you for your time, take care.

[Anonymous]

I was at Doncaster Races on Friday and will be writing a story about the reaction of the crowd to the race being voided.

Greetings to the Forum, Betting Journo. The void race was on Saturday, not Friday. That may be a typo, but I’d guess many folk on this Forum might wish to know for whom (or what) you’re writing your piece, before sharing first-hand thoughts.

To everyone else: I’ve yet to be blessed with a response to my email to the Doncaster management. Not that I’m very surprised by this, but it tells us something.

[Betting Journo]

I did indeed mean Saturday, very sorry – clearly my mind is drifting to Friday for some reason (ah, Christmas holidays!).

I am writing about Doncaster as part of my portfolio – I’m currently training to be a journalist on behalf of Scott Trust Ltd and Guardian Media Group, and need to submit stories on Doncaster as part of that portfolio. Nothing that is said would be physically published, it would just be for my assessor’s eyes only.

Thank you for the welcome.

[Anonymous]

After a polite reminder, I’ve received a reply from the Secretary at Doncaster Racecourse to my email concerning the drunken barracking of the stricken horse consequent to the void race on December 12th.

Here’s the substance of it:

Clearly the behaviour of some of the spectators at Doncaster on Saturday the 12th December was unacceptable and the Doncaster Racecourse Management Team would like to make an unreserved apology for the behaviour of, what was a minority group of racegoers who felt it was necessary to express their feelings in an inappropriate manner. Doncaster Racecourse does not condone this type of behaviour.

We are confident that the Beer Festival did not impact on the behaviour of these individuals. The feedback that we have received regarding the festival has been excellent and this is something that we will host again in 2010.

I can only apologise for any distress that the behaviour of these individuals may have caused on the day and to reiterate that Doncaster Racecourse does not condone this type of behaviour.

Yours sincerely,
Jody Holland
Racecourse Secretary
Doncaster Racecourse
Leger Way
Doncaster
DN2 6BB

I’ve replied to ask them, once again, in essence, what they are actively doing to minimise the problem practically, beyond "talking the talk".

[robnorth]

Quite, the phrase ‘not condoning this behaviour’ doesn’t give a hint that they are trying to prevent it.

Rob

[bagnallc]

Seems to me the reply you received merely indicates they were very happy with the profits of the whole thing, will be going with it again in 2010 and that any other issue you may be raising is irrelevant.

This is one of these age old problems many businesses face, do you put up with the negatives but reap the profits or go back a step and earn less money.

Im of the opinion you dont have to do either and can easily hold such events with proper security etc and prevent such behaviour. But then maybe the cost of the security is again too much for them to consider.

Its all about the money.

[Anonymous]

Its all about the money.

I fear it is. The line which caused me a wry smile was:
“We are confident that the Beer Festival did not impact on the behaviour of these individuals.”

Of course it didn’t, to the same degree that the length of Pinocchio’s nose has nothing to do with his taste for telling porky pies.

I suppose a few more emails to the management might convince them that their short-term beer festival gains might mean a long-term financial pain, when they start losing those group races because real racing fans won’t subject themselves to loutish bellowing.

[Author]

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