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Times really are tough in Northamptonshire
I wonder if the on-the-face-of-it welcome policy of free entry has contributed to its demise?
Only been there once, about 15 years ago; enjoyed seeing the hill climb as you get little idea of its severity on TV
The free entry must be a contributory factor to the problems at Towcester, while it was a laudable idea no business can run like that. Another factor must be the slash in their number of fixtures, I assume this was done since the introduction of their greyhound track?
I only went to Towcester once travelling by train from London and it was a hell of a journey getting there, and was never in a rush to go back.
What a great shame. Superb course for viewing one of the best in the country in my opinion.
I always thought that whoever lived in the castle in the distant grounds actually owned the course and land but clearly I am wrong.Every business venture Lord Hesketh has been involved in has failed. He had to sell the family seat in 2006. There’s no reason Towcester can’t be a viable proposition if taken over by someone with nous.
Every business venture Lord Hesketh has been involved in has failed
This much is true. Hesketh has burnt through his family’s wealth in impressive fashion over the years ever since his jovial foray into the money-shredding world of Formula One back in the day. His ability to spot the outrageously-talented James Hunt at a young age was nevertheless commendable.
He has created a tremendous racecourse at Towcester with excellent facilities and a real country feel. Even with the somewhat incongruous dog track affecting the view & vibe, there’s still nowhere I’d rather be for a winter’s afternoon of jump racing. The course is naturally testing with a thrilling result-altering uphill finish. To watch even low-quality staying chases there is a joy.
However, Hesketh’s 2014 decision to dump seven prime fixtures (including Boxing Day – a date Towcester themselves purchased from Newton Abbot in 2000 for a staggering £450k) always looked like an act of pointless self-immolation. He threw all his eggs into the greyhound racing basket and whilst he has lured The Derby to the track, clearly the bread-and-butter fare is underperforming.
The Towcester executive now holds a split asset that doesn’t fully appeal to horse racing fans (irregular meetings, view impeded by the dog track) or greyhound buffs (too far out in the sticks for a traditionally urban sport). It’s a further denuding of the winter game in the Midlands, with Stratford and Worcester now ‘summer’ tracks and Nottingham having long since given up the ghost.
Towcester also received the ultimate vote of no-confidence from leading trainer Mark Wallis, who immediately announced he was moving his entire kennel strength to Henlow. Which does give the impression that this situation has been ‘in the wind’ for some time.
What a shambles.
Mike
Betfred now favourites to take over the course, Arena leisure offering its support to managers and administrators in the meantime.
25 bidders have shown an interest in taking over the course.
Towcester’s opening meeting in October will be transferred to Southwell.
I was watching Racing Post Greyhound TV the other evening and someone said they were optimistic that the Towcester greyhound track would re-open. Its a pity as while I’m not a huge fan of the dogs Towcester looked a better track than boring Nottingham
This is very sad news. Always enjoyed watching the racing from Towcester. Suspect it won’t be long before proposed point to point doesn’t happen and greyhound racing dies, the land turned into yet another housing estate.
It is indeed very sad, but not surprising that Towcester won’t race again. The dog track and the free entry to meetings were bold but high risk endeavours that led in part to the ultimate closure.
I look back on more than 30 years of regular visits to the horse race meetings, especially enjoying the bitter cold in winter when national hunt sport seemed at its best.
It was always friendly, and welcoming…the ultimate horses for courses track.
British racing leads the world thanks to the variety of its courses. Towcester will be much missed.
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