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repeat the business plan of the newbury (mis) management over the past 25 years.....
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agreed. and now theyve moved to the dark side. used to be one of me faves, partly because of the station and was lucky there. i assumed selling the land for those gaffs at the side of the course had seen off any financial problems but it seems not
I live in Newbury and been going to my local track for over 40 years, the place has been destroyed for cash, went to the challow meeting and I could not believe I was not allowed to see the horses for about 3 furlongs and 2 jumps.
They are trying to destroy NH racing from within, have been going to Cheltenham festival for 30 years +, it started with 3 days, then the 4 days but now I just go on the Tuesday.
No with all the tarmac & housing surrounding Newbury racecourse I only see problems.
They are trying to destroy NH racing from within, have been going to Cheltenham festival for 30 years +, it started with 3 days, then the 4 days but now I just go on the Tuesday.
No with all the tarmac & housing surrounding Newbury racecourse I only see problems.
They had a fun fare where the golf course was on the infield, big wheel maybe obscuring views. I’d still argue it was forward thinking to get the golf course out of there. PLC probably a bad move
Heres a link to the Racing Post article on the Newbury fiasco ...
https://www.racingpost.com/news/latest/newburys-controversial-great-christma...
https://www.racingpost.com/news/latest/newburys-controversial-great-christma...
Thanks rowley/Glasgow,yes they seem to be catching up with jcr racecourses the way it’s been ruined ,it also seems they now get quite a lot of average cards there now both national hunt and flat.
Indeed maxed the only winners long term are the card companies.
iNDEED JIMNAST HAS TO BE PART OF THE REASON ATTENDANCES ARE WELL DOWN.TOO EASY TO USE THE CARD THEN HEART ATTACK WHEN THE STATEMENT COMES.
Keep on watering and ruin the ground…York imo isn’t the same….never will be
Pressure trying to impress the big yards…
Pressure trying to impress the big yards…
Not just that maxed when these people apply for financial help or mortgages there gambling activities,drinking and attending racecourses will be a big negative against them,not to mention if the wife stumbled across there statements.
Close run between Newbury and Chester for the worst courses on the planet. Is there an award for this as they are trying to outdoor each other.
Real shame Brian’s it wasn’t that many years ago Newbury was up there with the best.
I agree with you as well Jimnast, a day at Newbury used to be something to hugely look forward to.
we used to go to Hennessey every year when I lived in London 80s/90s and saw some great races and great horses - also remember a particularly good Tote Gold Trophy Hurdle (bet Squire Silk at 14s) and Gerry Feilden (Bacchanal who went on to win at Festival) - BTW the Gerry Feilden a pale shadow of what it was, partly due to racecourse and the 'modern' trend of avoiding any chance of getting beaten until Festival!!
the beginning of the end was the removal of the lovely lime trees and those horrible looking flats - such a shame as a very fair jumps track and the location of train station made it easy travel from London.
incidentally Ffos Las (designed to resemble Newbury) and Ayr (which rides like Newbury with lots of jumps/hurdles in home straight) are two of the best jumping tracks although Ayr facilities deteriorate every year
the beginning of the end was the removal of the lovely lime trees and those horrible looking flats - such a shame as a very fair jumps track and the location of train station made it easy travel from London.
incidentally Ffos Las (designed to resemble Newbury) and Ayr (which rides like Newbury with lots of jumps/hurdles in home straight) are two of the best jumping tracks although Ayr facilities deteriorate every year
Rock on ruby won the Gerry fielden in his champion hurdle season .
Yes slippy I use think if I was only allowed on one racecourse I would have chosen Newbury as the standard of racing was in the top 3 at both flat and national hunt,also found it a classy place even the old real ale bar added to the pleasure of the day the by the proper chippy that also has gone that area in now office’s
Yes slippy I use think if I was only allowed on one racecourse I would have chosen Newbury as the standard of racing was in the top 3 at both flat and national hunt,also found it a classy place even the old real ale bar added to the pleasure of the day the by the proper chippy that also has gone that area in now office’s
Rock on ruby won the Gerry fielden in his champion hurdle season .
Yes slippy I use think if I was only allowed on one racecourse I would have chosen Newbury as the standard of racing was in the top 3 at both flat and national hunt,also found it a classy place even the old real ale bar added to the pleasure of the day the by the proper chippy that also has gone that area in now office’s
Yes slippy I use think if I was only allowed on one racecourse I would have chosen Newbury as the standard of racing was in the top 3 at both flat and national hunt,also found it a classy place even the old real ale bar added to the pleasure of the day the by the proper chippy that also has gone that area in now office’s
Gordon
Other than the problem on the roof on the Friday I still really enjoyed the western meeting back in September the way the races are framed it suits me not to busy on the Saturday either.
Other than the problem on the roof on the Friday I still really enjoyed the western meeting back in September the way the races are framed it suits me not to busy on the Saturday either.
Jimnast.
yes that was a strange one!! our racing crowd go to Ayr regularly, the racing is decent quality and easy travel from Glasgow/Edinburgh although Ayr station an absolute mess due to the dilapidated hotel!! the facilities don't really bother us but in comparison to Hamilton (massive improvement), Musselburgh (decent improvement) and Perth/Kelso (minor improvements), Ayr has gone backwards
yes that was a strange one!! our racing crowd go to Ayr regularly, the racing is decent quality and easy travel from Glasgow/Edinburgh although Ayr station an absolute mess due to the dilapidated hotel!! the facilities don't really bother us but in comparison to Hamilton (massive improvement), Musselburgh (decent improvement) and Perth/Kelso (minor improvements), Ayr has gone backwards
I would agree with your description of all those 5 tracks although I would have said better than decent improvement Musselburgh
What happened at the western meeting? A fight? Ayr the town is in a shocking state full stop. I used to defend it but no more.
meanwhile in the north west , hot spot of ridiculous racecourses , have a look at the prices for aintree national meet . i wouldnt pay that with stolen money . but plenty will be doing !
many , many years ago at haydock i was invited to a lunch . i fancied the splendid champagne bucket on our table so asked the waitress if i could buy it . she said manager says strictly not for sale . i said i'll give you a tenner . she took it and got me a bag for my new bucket . still have it . favourite memory of the course !
windsor, I was born in Liverpool and went to Aintree for the flat meetings in the 70's when there were more horses than spectators. I have been to every National since Grittar save for false start (wedding in Oz) and bomb scare (working Monday), but this year will by last. I am far wealthier now but the £ are utterly absurd and, for many years, the racing on GN day has been rubbish. In addition, the tickets for this years meeting went on sale at 10am the Monday after the GN. It was, I calculated, 39.5 hours after the last race of the previous GN meeting. Needless to say, most sold out within a nanosecond only to appear on Viagogo at cost price x 5 within an hour. Still do the Thursday but GN day is over for me.
Ayr went downhill after COC David McHarg left.
A benevolent dictator.
A benevolent dictator.
donegal ....not been quite as long as you but remember chucking in coins to 'save the national ' . also saw my fav jumper wayward lad win under my fav jockey j francome on the thursday . had some great days there . but , as i moan on about it sadly , north west courses now seem to be just magnets for who can be selfied next to a footballer or soap star or get trollied with mates .
I'm in London now Windsor so I don't get up north too often. Excluding GN meeting, Dante meeting + Juddmonte day about it. The odd time I have been to Haydock confirms your view. Sad really. But it is the same down here. As soon as the footy finishes you know the shiny suits and no socks brigade are there for the next meeting. Newbury, the OP point, a perfect example. From Lockinge to September it is a zoo. The October meetings are wonderful. Just my age I suppose. All the best chap
I was there that day for Wayward Lad Windsor. Just reminded myself that the going that day was FIRM!!!! Can you imagine now!
John92
No not a fight but for some unknown reason we were not allowed to watch the racing from the roof on the Friday,it was in the end sorted out after the 2nd race but it was a typical example of racecourses not really been bothered about those who go racing to actually watch racing.
No not a fight but for some unknown reason we were not allowed to watch the racing from the roof on the Friday,it was in the end sorted out after the 2nd race but it was a typical example of racecourses not really been bothered about those who go racing to actually watch racing.
Jimnast, John 92
An under trained security guard had been told by one track exec not to let anyone on the roof and after much protestations (from myself and others) she finally said it was due to an incident the previous day - myself and friends having watched all the races from the roof previous day knew this was BS and 2 annual members tracked down another track exec and hey presto we were allowed access. I think this sort of miscommunication between management and untrained security staff is common and fortunately there were no unnecessary casualties etc from this Ayr experience unlike the Brixton concert......
I went to Festival every day from 1985 to 2005 (first 4 dayer) and not since - 4 days was simply too exhausting, physically and mentally and I'm made from pretty strong stuff!! since 2015 I've gone to Aintree instead, always Thursday (one of best if not the best jumps card of season, starts with 4 x G1s), sometimes the Friday and once the GN itself (One for Arthur). I wouldn't rush back for the GN but glad I saw it the once and it was an absolute belter of a ride from Derek Fox which doesn't get talked about often enough.
I find Aintree
a) easier to get to, considering we're travelling from Scotland but also much assisted by the location of train station - mersey rail do an absolute fabulous job, staff at stations from early morning keeping everyone heading in the right direction
b) better value for money - includes food and drink prices on course and very importantly hotels/accommodation off course (many still do the Blackpool-Aintree day trip although unless you're just down for the cheap booze, you couldn't recommend Blackpool!)
c) more spacious - although the betting shops can get packed if it's raining
d) more friendly
e) entertainment venues - far more of them and far better than Cheltenham (I stay in Hotel Indigo, 5 mins from Moorfields which goes directly to Aintree, and is walking distance from Beatles area)
Yes the prices are high (I use racing4rewards points) but I've looked in to Abba The Voyage tickets for later this year and NFL tickets to see my Titans play and the decent tickets are in excess of £100, so I think £70 ish for Princess Royal roof, isn't that bad in comparison
I think there could be a turn up in big race today - Chacun/Fakir - I'm on French Dynamite and Hauts en Couleurs for the upset
e)
An under trained security guard had been told by one track exec not to let anyone on the roof and after much protestations (from myself and others) she finally said it was due to an incident the previous day - myself and friends having watched all the races from the roof previous day knew this was BS and 2 annual members tracked down another track exec and hey presto we were allowed access. I think this sort of miscommunication between management and untrained security staff is common and fortunately there were no unnecessary casualties etc from this Ayr experience unlike the Brixton concert......
I went to Festival every day from 1985 to 2005 (first 4 dayer) and not since - 4 days was simply too exhausting, physically and mentally and I'm made from pretty strong stuff!! since 2015 I've gone to Aintree instead, always Thursday (one of best if not the best jumps card of season, starts with 4 x G1s), sometimes the Friday and once the GN itself (One for Arthur). I wouldn't rush back for the GN but glad I saw it the once and it was an absolute belter of a ride from Derek Fox which doesn't get talked about often enough.
I find Aintree
a) easier to get to, considering we're travelling from Scotland but also much assisted by the location of train station - mersey rail do an absolute fabulous job, staff at stations from early morning keeping everyone heading in the right direction
b) better value for money - includes food and drink prices on course and very importantly hotels/accommodation off course (many still do the Blackpool-Aintree day trip although unless you're just down for the cheap booze, you couldn't recommend Blackpool!)
c) more spacious - although the betting shops can get packed if it's raining
d) more friendly
e) entertainment venues - far more of them and far better than Cheltenham (I stay in Hotel Indigo, 5 mins from Moorfields which goes directly to Aintree, and is walking distance from Beatles area)
Yes the prices are high (I use racing4rewards points) but I've looked in to Abba The Voyage tickets for later this year and NFL tickets to see my Titans play and the decent tickets are in excess of £100, so I think £70 ish for Princess Royal roof, isn't that bad in comparison
I think there could be a turn up in big race today - Chacun/Fakir - I'm on French Dynamite and Hauts en Couleurs for the upset
e)
Rowley mile, it wasnt the big wheel causing it, it was the placing of the whole thing. at ground level you could not see 3 furlongs from the rail, may had been different up in the stands.
Cheers for the info. When my dad was a bit more mobile we'd watch from the roof.
LoyalHoncho 22 Jan 23 10:34
formoftheace adding some grace to the debate
How else do they ruin a racecourse apart from drowning it in water….and playing unbearable rubbish music over the PA system
Entry fee could be looked at
Food etc….you pay vomit inducing prices at the cinema….and most eating houses….
formoftheace adding some grace to the debate
How else do they ruin a racecourse apart from drowning it in water….and playing unbearable rubbish music over the PA system
Entry fee could be looked at
Food etc….you pay vomit inducing prices at the cinema….and most eating houses….
Gordon I haven't been to Newbury since 1991 and had put it back on my ones to revisit list but you have me thinking now, heading to either Cheltenham or Uttox on Sat all depends if the plane is on time Tony is staying with me for the DRF not sure if you've met him he's a Liverpool lad . Looking forward to seeing you and the lads at Leopardstown..
Yeah, ignore your quality post, which was this Ayr….s hole…..imv
Workrider, good to see you posting.
Question for you as you at least have experience aboard racehorses.
What do the jocks think of the immediate after-race microphones stuck up to their face while still on the track?
Workrider, good to see you posting.
Question for you as you at least have experience aboard racehorses.
What do the jocks think of the immediate after-race microphones stuck up to their face while still on the track?
I've yet to read anything you write which isn;t negative or abusive.
I bet you wet the bed.
I bet you wet the bed.
I’ve probably been to Ayr more times than you’ve been to bed….and it has gone down hill in my eyes
The negative comments come from watching uk racing falling apart….
The negative comments come from watching uk racing falling apart….
LoyalHoncho , I never liked it and I know plenty of jockeys who simply hate it , some I've spoken to told me the first thing on their minds was to report directly something that they saw or felt straight to the trainer or owner . Others found it hard to speak in front of the camera..
Thanks rider. If I was a jock I would hate and would be sorely tempted to tell them to disappear pronto. That Rishi just asks the same old tired questions. At least Alice is a horsewoman so has an empathy with the jocks.
Yet another look at me how brilliant am I exaggeration.
Get a life you loser. And try to stop posting bile on here.
Get a life you loser. And try to stop posting bile on here.
I don’t like it……oh how bad
Workrider doesn’t like it……ohhhhhh so right goo goo…..ten faced idiot
Workrider doesn’t like it……ohhhhhh so right goo goo…..ten faced idiot
gordon63...one of the truest things ever said on here 'mis-communication between management and untrained security staff'.
I'd expand that, though. Hapless and young management leaving poor old security staff up the creek without a paddle.
Time and time again since Covid I've seen security staff with no understanding of racing briefed (or not briefed at all) by management teams who themselves think a racecourse is good only for drinking, pop concerts and other activities save for horse racing! It doesn't work and just winds up regular racegoers.
I'm convinced that there is a gap in the market for someone to recruit ex-forces or police staff age 35 minimum, take them racing solidly for 3 months to teach them how a racecourse works and then hire them out to racecourses. But, of course, would racecourses pay the premium cost of a such an elite security arrangement?
I have the resources and know how to set such a thing up but, sadly no longer the drive.
I'd expand that, though. Hapless and young management leaving poor old security staff up the creek without a paddle.
Time and time again since Covid I've seen security staff with no understanding of racing briefed (or not briefed at all) by management teams who themselves think a racecourse is good only for drinking, pop concerts and other activities save for horse racing! It doesn't work and just winds up regular racegoers.
I'm convinced that there is a gap in the market for someone to recruit ex-forces or police staff age 35 minimum, take them racing solidly for 3 months to teach them how a racecourse works and then hire them out to racecourses. But, of course, would racecourses pay the premium cost of a such an elite security arrangement?
I have the resources and know how to set such a thing up but, sadly no longer the drive.
Newmarket friday music nights might as well do away with the racing and just have a concert, then put the prize money towards the following day(Saturday).
Loads of class 4 and 5 rubbish racing for a Grade 1 track isn't right imo. The people don't go for the racing sadly, i was there one night and a girl actually said to het friends,
''Oh look , there's a person on a horse over there''. That was the end of it for me.
Loads of class 4 and 5 rubbish racing for a Grade 1 track isn't right imo. The people don't go for the racing sadly, i was there one night and a girl actually said to het friends,
''Oh look , there's a person on a horse over there''. That was the end of it for me.
maybe it was a racing fan being ironic
if they make a handy sum from concerts why dont they have them the day after racing?
if they make a handy sum from concerts why dont they have them the day after racing?
Dambuster
A friend of mine was asked at Chester by security staff what was he doing bringing binoculars into a racecourse
A friend of mine was asked at Chester by security staff what was he doing bringing binoculars into a racecourse
Seriously raspberry it was around 4 years ago on the opening day of the vase meeting not even a Saturday.
Not as bad as Jim Mgrath with a channel 4 badge around his neck..
He’s a regular racegoer 250 plus days a year he was fuming.
the knight - I like your idea but alas i'm not in the starting a new business phase of life!!
workrider - yes looking forward to DRF, no doubt Cheltenham better meeting than Uttoxeter this Saturday but guessing the super early start might be a problem for your travel? I think I've met Tony before.
formoftheace - having been racing regularly at Ayr for nigh on 45 years now, the town has (in my eyes) fallen into severe decline these past 20 years, and as I've posted here several times, the racecourse has suffered from lack of investment, issues with track-going, and too much focus on the cash-cow days of Scottish National and Gold Cup (neither of which I'll sadly ever attend again), nevertheless the view from the roof and the quality of racing (for a northern track) remains at a high level and the regular Irish invaders have certainly added to the punting opportunities. I wouldn't go as far as your 'colourful' language though!! We're all pretty negative on here, it goes with the territory (!) but interested if you have a positive post on any subject.
workrider - yes looking forward to DRF, no doubt Cheltenham better meeting than Uttoxeter this Saturday but guessing the super early start might be a problem for your travel? I think I've met Tony before.
formoftheace - having been racing regularly at Ayr for nigh on 45 years now, the town has (in my eyes) fallen into severe decline these past 20 years, and as I've posted here several times, the racecourse has suffered from lack of investment, issues with track-going, and too much focus on the cash-cow days of Scottish National and Gold Cup (neither of which I'll sadly ever attend again), nevertheless the view from the roof and the quality of racing (for a northern track) remains at a high level and the regular Irish invaders have certainly added to the punting opportunities. I wouldn't go as far as your 'colourful' language though!! We're all pretty negative on here, it goes with the territory (!) but interested if you have a positive post on any subject.
S Hole a bit stronge but it’s certainly in decline….and the town is much the same, no one cares anymore…(towns)
Look at Hamilton Park….night and day….
Look at Hamilton Park….night and day….
Ayr also has a strange atmosphere compared with the other four…..shame as it gets supported by the Southern trainers…
yeah I'm a member at Hamilton, good facilities (recommend the hospitality suites) and quality of racing improving year on year other than a few meetings
I was a member of Hamilton for a good few years until the music started,made a visit last season first for many
Ex groundsman jimmy Ferguson (I think) done a fabulous job I remember him retiring…
Many a good summer’s evening when the ring was buzzing…
Freddie and Alex Farquhar ( Macbet) any amount…
Ex groundsman jimmy Ferguson (I think) done a fabulous job I remember him retiring…
Many a good summer’s evening when the ring was buzzing…
Freddie and Alex Farquhar ( Macbet) any amount…
Shug ODonnell lite the place up for a wee while….to some he was an undesirable…he punted well…
Gordon
I’ve just been reading about tony Collins (gay future) he was once involved in Ayr and saw the problems coming and reading between the lines blames Ivan stalker for the decline.
I’ve just been reading about tony Collins (gay future) he was once involved in Ayr and saw the problems coming and reading between the lines blames Ivan stalker for the decline.
Tony Collins was a shrewdie (too shrewd for the books often times) and I'm not surprised he saw difficulties ahead. I remember the Gold-Silver-Bronze stands all used to have decent crowds even for regular non-Festival meetings. Ayr suffered more than most from the exchange because it was until that point a really live punting track - including by below mentioned 'mentalasanything' and his mates!! I remember books 4 rows deep, now they're hidden away in the bar area or 6-8 standing by parade ring, a sign of the times alas
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