Equestrian
The home straight and the grandstand
In common with other leading jump tracks, Uttoxeter supported the campaign for summer jumping, which has added extra meetings alongside its popular Summer National and Ladies Night meetings.
“Summer jumping has certainly enhanced Uttoxeter’s programme - what could be better than a 10,000 strong family crowd on a July Sunday?” Aside from the attractions on offer - ladies’ day, beer festivals, Christmas markets - pulling the crowds depends on drawing quality runners and riders to the track and, with no real catchment area of trainers locally, that means delivering consistent going and competitive racing. With fixtures as little as six days apart, this is no mean feat on a track which is 1 mile 2 furlongs round, and surrounded by industry, a railway line and a golf course, allowing little opportunity for expansion. In addition to the racetrack,
the grounds team is responsible for maintaining all of the ornamental areas, car parks and the centre course, which includes a show ground and caravan club site, in use from March to November - mowing this area alone takes six and a half hours. The racecourse buildings are in constant use for events, so presentation has to be at the highest level year round. “We have an agreement with the local Byrkley Plant Centre for the provision and planting of all flowers and bedding plants; Uttoxeter Racecourse looks splendid in summer and won a Britain in Bloom Gold award this year,” says Charlie. He credits the groundstaff for their outstanding dedication to coping with such a substantial workload: “I am fortunate to have an exceptional grounds team, led by Rob Massey, with four full- time staff and, in addition, our Executive
Director, David MacDonald, who knows how important the track and surroundings are to our racing and the business,” explains Charlie. “We also use contractors Turf Services, plus casuals on racedays to help repair the course.” He admits that the gap between the Christmas meeting and New Years Eve fixture is the toughest one in which to prepare the course, fitting in staff holidays, and is a time when favourable weather definitely helps. “The end of November fixture can also be tricky - if it is wet, it puts pressure on for the whole winter,” he says.
Charlie comments that the weather is the common factor for all racecourses in determining how easy they are to look after. “Winter 2010 was characterised by the cold and then dry weather, and the turf itself has been relatively easy to manage. But, we lost a large number of plants,
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