“We’re not just talking about growing grass, we’re talking about ensuring that the surface is safe for the horses. We always aim to provide the best possible racing ground”


the Multigreen, which releases nutrients from April to August.” Go Green granules are applied during the winter to harden the turf and prevent disease. “We want the fine turf in these areas to come into spring in the best condition possible,” explains Newmarket’s Estate


Manager. Newmarket is built on a silty clay loam soil, with approximately two feet of top soil above a chalk brash. “It’s extremely free draining,” Alan confirms, “and all the courses require extensive irrigation during a dry spell in order to maintain acceptable moisture levels.”


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This means more long hours for Newmarket’s groundstaff who could be working from 5.00am to midnight. Alan uses two Briggs booms, a 50 metre boom on the home straights and a 30 metre boom on the Beacon Course. Newmarket has its own reservoir, fed from a bore hole, and Alan receives bespoke weather forecasts from John Kettley. “We need as much information as possible,” Alan continues. “We need to be aware of the


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impending weather which is, of course, vital information and will dictate how we manage the courses. We’re not just talking about growing grass, we’re talking about ensuring that the surface is safe for the horses. We always aim to provide the best possible racing ground.” Last year, Suffolk


suffered its coldest winter for thirty years. “We experienced a significant amount of die back, with


the native grass species on the Rowley Mile most badly affected,” Alan recalls. “Sharp frosts persisted well into April and early spring growth was minimal. Temperatures may have risen to 15 degrees during the day, but were consistently falling below zero at night. We had to remove the die back and direct drill several areas.” At least the weeds were slow to appear - Alan finds that Cabadex helps control Speedwell - but, having to deal with the consequences of a particularly cold and late spring, whilst preparing for the first Classics of the year, the 2000 and 1000 Guineas, hosted during the first weekend in May, must have put yet one more burden on Alan and his eleven permanent staff.


In two months time, when the last race of the autumn season has run, the pressure should lessen and the team can get on with their aeration programme. “We’ll utilise either a slit tine or Blec Agitator on each of the courses. This machine has 1 inch diameter tines that work to a depth of 8 inches,” Alan explains. “The fissures in the soil created by the Blec are further enlarged by hard winter frosts.”


The Rowley Mile, the Beacon and the July Course will lie fallow, replenishing their resources in age honoured style. And what of the horses, those world class international sprinters? They’re no doubt racing off to other, warmer parts of the world. With any luck, sometime between October and March, Newmarket’s Estate Manager and his valiant team will be doing the same.


Headland Amenity at: www.headlandamenity.com or email:


info@headlandamenity.com


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