Ups on the Downs
“There’s a place for figures and science in the industry, but you can’t always go by the book, sometimes you have to deal with matters as they come up”
Nigel Whybrow, Head Groundsman, Epsom Downs Racecourse Report by Tom James
T
his year’s unexpectedly severe cold snap caused nightmares for turfcare professionals right across the country in all sports, leaving them with little option than to sit tight and wait for the thaw. Racecourses were as badly hit as any venues. Meetings were cancelled throughout early 2010, largely because trainers were unwilling to risk running thoroughbreds on bone hard, icy tracks. The UK’s racecourses have recovered quickly though and are busy delivering the summer calendar’s big meetings - which don’t come much grander than Epsom’s June outing. It’s an event many see as one of the most colourful of the season, drawing huge crowds from across all sections of society as well as a strong Royal following. Epsom Downs racecourse, set in the
rolling hills of Surrey’s North Downs, just thirty minutes from London, is one of the oldest in the country, with a history dating back to 1779 when the first running of the Oaks was recorded. Edward Smith Stanley, the 12th Earl of Derby, organised a race for himself and his friends to run their three-year- old fillies over one and a half miles. He named it the Oaks after his estate, and the race is still going strong today. The two biggest dates in Epsom’s
diary, the Oaks (Investec Ladies day) on 4 June and the Investec Derby the following day, require meticulous preparation - beginning well beforehand to ensure the eight hectares of flat racing track are presented to the highest standards, ready for the 120,000-strong crowd expected on Derby day.
Tasked with the roles of Gallops
Supervisor and Head Groundsman is Nigel Whybrow who, along with his team of eight full-time staff, look after the full spread of facilities at Epsom, including the track, three all-weather surfaces (Fibresand and Polytrack) and a training school, which keeps 160 horses from racing yards throughout the area.
Now entering his fourth season as Head Groundsman, Nigel took over the role back in 2006 having been at the course since 1994, when he joined after leaving his assistant head groundsman’s post at nearby Woodcote Park Golf Club (see Pitchcare, issue 26). “Woodcote Park was my first job after leaving school at 16,” recalls the 42- year-old. “I ended up becoming disillusioned with committees, having
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