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Racecourses are just the place to have mounted horse patrols, that’ll keep things in check.
It is not a racing problem, it’s society’s…
That’s the nail on the head really. The wider media were yesterday having the exact same debate about drunks on planes as most of you no doubt saw. You can try to stop this behaviour as much as you like, and I think we all agree that racecourses should, but to change society is damn near impossible.
It was also suggested by the Panorama programme that airport shops were selling alcohol with abandon just to make some extra money.
That sounds familiar.
It is not just a society’s problem from the aspect of the public over indulging but also the eagerness just to make extra money come what may.
The Communications Director from Ascot waxed lyrical and at length about the attendance on Saturday and dismissed the violence as a couple of “minor scuffles”. Which tells you all you need to know about the racecourses attitude to this issue.
As long as the money is pouring into the coffers they don’t really care – similar situation with the airports.Might it not be an idea to have enclosures based on the whims and habits of the racegoers? You can have a party pack enclosure about three furlongs out where there are bars, bars, more bars and some live band. A family enclosure inside the course where there’s stuff to keep sexually transmitted diseases from getting bored and noisily running amok. A “society” enclosure where you pay upwards of £100 to get in and there are champagne lounges, fashion shows and special appearances from Colleen Rooney or whoever. A general enclosure where decorum is kindly enforced where there’s access to bars and a section of the parade ring. And most importantly (for me) a boring, stuffy anorak’s enclosure where there is priority access to all areas including the parade ring and viewing areas but strictly non-alcoholic bars. I would quite happily pay a £10 premium for the latter if it keeps the bean counters happy.
Children should not be blinkered from the world they are in, a lot of them will drink alcohol at some disco a few years later. No they should see how Grown ups escort the misbehaving lot out, behave or mis out. Educated security, more of it.
Best Wishes
SilkThanks for all the comments and views of the blog. It really does seem that Ascot are happy just to totally ignore all the comments and here and on twitter. Possibly because the trade paper appears keen to ignore it too. Heaven forbid anything awful happens at a racecourse as a result of their denial. As others have added it’s not just Ascot so it will be interesting to see if there are any changes made regards added security and a crack down elsewhere though sad to say I’m not holding my breath.
The irony is the course most affected by violence and thuggery is the one that has the strictest dress code. Ascot’s outdated attitude, its false idea that how one dresses equates to how one behaves, is exposed as a discriminaTORY lie every weekend in the pubs of Eton and Windsor where the same types who brawl at the races can be found snorting coke in the bogs.
Mark, a racecourse isn’t a city centre on a weekend. It’s a venue for an event with sport at its core. You are charged for entry.
How do you rationalise the recommendation of Premier League style racing structures to help attract new racegoers when you need to tag on a safety warning to those newcomers about ‘no-go’ areas at certain meetings?
It should not be incumbent on customers to take precautions by avoiding ‘no-go’ areas. If the venue management cannot protect its customers the venue ought to close.
Of course racecourses should do all they can to stop this sort of thing,
What part of that don’t you understand, Joe?
Of course it “should not be incumbent on customers to take precautions by avoiding ‘no-go’ areas”.
Nobody is saying it should be.Afraid I have more or less given up going racing now, particularly at weekends.
I endeavour to not go anywhere further than my garden at weekends: racecourses, ‘attractions’, city centres, pubs, restaurants, roads, trains, planes… are all pretty unpleasant, be that simply due to the overcrowding, or to the behaviour of some of those who comprise the seething mass
For those of us fortunate enough to be in a position to appreciate it, the weekday world at, in and on the above remains largely as pleasant and civilized an experience as it always was
Spot on Drone, but be careful you don’t go advising racing enthusiasts – unlucky enough to have been put off by weekend unpleasntness – to follow your example… Otherwise you’ll be getting TRFers thinking you’re condoning violence too.
Value Is EverythingThe irony is the course most affected by violence and thuggery is the one that has the strictest dress code. Ascot’s outdated attitude, its false idea that how one dresses equates to how one behaves, is exposed as a discriminaTORY lie every weekend in the pubs of Eton and Windsor where the same types who brawl at the races can be found snorting coke in the bogs.
Unfortunately GM, even plebs can afford a suit nowadays, so the old dress code doesn’t work anymore.
Value Is EverythingMark, nobody is saying it should be? Except you. Read your own post in which you recommend that people avoid certain meetings and, when they do go racing, certain places on the racecourse.
Mark, nobody is saying it should be? Except you. Read your own post in which you recommend that people avoid certain meetings and, when they do go racing, certain places on the racecourse.
If racing enthusiasts want to wait for every meeting to be made safe by the authorities, before resuming going racing… they’ll be dead and gone before that happens.
All I wanted to do is show TRFers – who’ve been put off going racing because of unpleasantness on the racecourse – a way of once again enjoying going racing, yes; by avoiding certain meetings and certain places on the racecourse.Why is that so bad?
Value Is Everythingi (with one of my sons) normally do the dante meeting, change of plan this year and are going for the first three days of the ebor next, I refuse to do Saturday meetings with all these silly ‘boys’ about.
I like Bachelors Hall idea,would also pay a premium for a non drinking enclosure, if it could be done
The irony is the course most affected by violence and thuggery is the one that has the strictest dress code. Ascot’s outdated attitude, its false idea that how one dresses equates to how one behaves, is exposed as a discriminaTORY lie every weekend in the pubs of Eton and Windsor where the same types who brawl at the races can be found snorting coke in the bogs.
Unfortunately GM, even plebs can afford a suit nowadays, so the old dress code doesn’t work anymore. 😉
Yes, of course, Ginger. My point is twofold, one I think some of the brawlers are from the middle to upper class and, two, dress codes are outdated and stereotypical. I could afford a wardrobe full of suits and ties but don’t own any because I prefer to wear denim and leather. Were I to turn up at Ascot on a cold winter’s day wearing my “bikers” jacket and Millwall beanie do you think the men in bowler hats would let me in? :)
Spot on Drone, but be careful you don’t go advising racing enthusiasts – unlucky enough to have been put off by weekend unpleasntness – to follow your example… Otherwise you’ll be getting TRFers thinking you’re condoning violence too.
You’re fair game Ginger as you’re a confrontational serial poster. I read, make the occasional point, but generally these days can’t be arsed to enter in to debates
“All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing”
So, whilst I’m certainly not condoning boorish behaviour at racecourses and elsewhere I do choose to avoid it by turning away, which isn’t what a good man would do but it does preserve sanity
“Violence and thuggery” usually happens when a person/s actions seem “confrontational” and therefore – in the mind of the aggressor – “fair game”. Usually egged on by others who also believe that person/s is fair game. Like yourself Drone; I always avoid such places, knowing how I can come across to those who don’t know me. It is for that reason imo nobody is “fair game”; it is important to try and treat everyone the same, whatever they might have said or done previously. Although I know it can be difficult.
Value Is EverythingTime to unwind Ginge and I’ve found you just the racing experience to get you away from the more distasteful areas of the racecourse…so throw away that soggy sandwich and flask of cold tea and come and live the VIP lifestyle with Mrs Ginger at the Olly Murs bash tonight in your own private trackside haven at Newmarket. Just £700.
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I’ll be there on Saturday for the Grey Horse race a much quieter meeting and hopefully the geezers and their gals will be getting over their hangovers so won’t attend…have fun..Jac
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