Equestrian
Groundstaff are able to multitask
“We review the year in November and take samples for soil analysis. We then revisit the programme in February to produce a final nutrition strategy for the season, which has to reflect the racing programme rather than just the traditional growing season,” he explains. “On the July course we use an autumnal feed in March to avoid a growth flush, and then apply a spring feed in May prior to the start of the summer racing season. The Rowley Mile receives a spring feed in March and an autumn feed in August ahead of a busy three months’ racing, and we always use controlled release products on the racing surface.”
Key lawns receive an equally sophisticated programme, including full soil analysis. “The Members’ lawn area on the July course, where a capacity crowd is 22,000, accommodates the audience at our post-racing concerts. Lawns have to be robust and look good - the appearance of the July course is very much part of its attraction.”
Naturally, attracting top horses is key to bringing racegoers through the gates - Newmarket has more than 3,000 runners at its thirty-eight race meetings. It hosts nine group one races - the most prestigious on the calendar - and, of the five group one races in Britain run for two year-old horses, four take place at Newmarket.
Trainers of such elite horses demand
The Newmarket groundstaff receiving their Best Flat Racecourse award
top quality footing on the racetrack, which was a lot to ask for this year’s early May meeting, which features two of the sport’s Classic races - the 1000 and 2000 Guineas.
“We had just under 15cm of rain in the four weeks prior to the Qipco Guineas Festival, and 25mm on the Thursday night before the meeting,” comments Michael. “Due to the free draining soils and the way the turf is managed, we were still able to deliver good racing conditions - slower going than in many years, but with good grass cover.” With the next meeting just ten days later, the pressure was on to repair the course afterwards.
“It takes a team of ten people three days to get the course back, and then we lightly Cambridge roll to help level it out. We try to use minimal refurbishment soil on the course,” Michael explains. “Staff are briefed to find individual holes and replace divots or fill the hole with soil.”
The generous width of the track does help, he adds: “We had 190 runners over the two days of the Guineas Festival but, with a 32m wide course, there is plenty of room.”
“The July Course is 44m wide, with a permanent middle rail providing two individual courses. The 22m on the far side is kept specifically for the prestigious Piper Heidsieck July Festival from the end of August until the next July, so it
has not been raced on for eleven months and, invariably, provides a world class racing surface.”
Although it is steeped in tradition, the secret of Newmarket’s success is to keep looking forward, reckons Michael. “I’m keen to look at the latest
The historic saddling boxes have just been rethatched
technology and ideas - I recently got on a plane to Ireland to inspect seaweed that is grown for a root enhancer product. We are already using a similar product, but I wanted to try this one, and we are eagerly awaiting the results of a comparative trial.”
“We are always aiming to improve, and are mindful of the domestic and international competition,” he comments. “We fully intend to retain our hard earned status as a world class horse racing venue.”
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