‘Hitting the ground running’ is a great way to describe the terrific buzz at Worcester Racecourse this week as there is much to look forward to for the new season starting tomorrow evening.
This is the first year for Worcester under new owners, Arena Racing Company and there are some great changes at the course for everyone. Countless pots of paint have been poured into a ‘facelift’ redecoration, increased prize money has been invested and exciting benefit packages for owners, trainers and annual members have been introduced.
On the track, Gavin Armstrong, previously at Folkestone Racecourse, has taken over the reins as Estates Manager and has overseen the preparations for racing.
The winter has been anything but kind in terms of flooding. Anyone who lives locally will have seen the army of photographers taking pictures day after day of the race track under several feet of water. It is remarkable to see the track now and how well grass can recover from that kind of continual deluge.
There are 21 fixtures scheduled at the course this year, considerably more than have been staged for over 12 years.
The leading jockey and trainer tables after the final meeting in October could not have read more differently. Champion Tony McCoy ran away with the jockey title but conversely, top trainer honours went down to the final race of the season. Paul Nicholls picked up his first Worcester trainer’s prize, just pipping Jonjo O’Neill to the post in an extremely closely fought contest spanning the season. I am quite certain that the rivalry will continue through this year.
On local racing news, the Worcestershire Hunt held their annual Lady Dudley Cup point to point meeting at Chaddesley Corbett last week. Worcester Racecourse was delighted to sponsor the opening Worcestershire Hunt Members, Subscribers and Farmer’s race. The contest this year attracted 8 entries, some of whom had impressive form under rules. In a fiercely competitive race where the only male jockey was unseated at the start, sisters Abigail and Josephine Banks from Himbleton finished in first and third places respectively.
Abigail, who steered Hall Kelly to victory for only her second winner as a jockey, came up to receive a magnificent set of silverware which any winning connections would be proud to display on their mantelpiece.
It was very sad to hear this week of the death from colic of well-loved local mare, Lady Rebecca at the age of 21. Trained at Ross-on-Wye by Venetia Williams during her racing career, she cost only 400 gns but after 13 wins from 19 starts, which included three Cleeve Hurdles, she amassed prize money of £160,000 before retiring to Tweenhills Stud in Gloucestershire.
To end on a very different note, I must mention the might that is Sprinter Sacre and applaud his amazing season culminating in the treble of victories at Cheltenham, Aintree and Punchestown. We can’t promise Sprinter Sacre at Worcester tomorrow night, but can promise a card of competitive racing and a great night to start the season.
The first race tomorrow is due off at 5.15pm and the gates open from 3.15pm.
All the latest news from the Worcester Racecourse team
