Equestrian
“
We tried to set specific days to work on the racecourse or golf course, but find it’s better to help each other out as and when required
Wincanton Racecourse attracts classy runners from National Hunt racing’s top trainers
up with the golf course - Golf Pro Andrew England owns another local course which will hire some of its machinery to Wincanton. “There’s the Verti-drain for example, although it’s a bit small for the racecourse, except on the bends,” points out Matt. James’s two full-time groundsmen also help out on the golf course, whilst Matt will lend a hand at busy periods in the racing calendar.
He also uses the golf course sprayer to
apply trace elements to the parade ring and lawn turf at the end of a tank load applied to the greens. “We tried to set specific days to work on
the racecourse or golf course, but find it’s better to help each other out as and when required. The only time that it gets tight is when we are watering for racing and Matt needs all hands on deck for spring maintenance!” says James. “We do have casuals that we can call on, which helps.” James and his team are responsible for the
Guide rails give the jockeys their line into the fence and protect ground being rested for future meetings
entire site totalling 210 acres, which includes extensive grass car parking areas. These are currently under-utilised, he suggests, although a plan for an equestrian training area is under consideration. Staffing is an issue that will come under the spotlight of new General Manager Huw
Williams, who recently moved to Wincanton from Warwick, and Matt is hoping to propose the recruitment of an apprentice to join the team. Apart from its location, Wincanton’s
trademark is the test of good jumping that it provides, earmarking future stars of the sport. “But it’s important that the fences are safe and encourage horses to jump well, so we work closely with the British Horseracing Authority to make improvements,” comments James. In recent years, this has included a move
to portable fences, which are moved across the track by six metres after six meetings to give fresh ground and then moved back again after a further six meetings. The fences themselves have also been
modified. “We’ve added more brush higher up the front face of the jump to encourage the horses to take off in the correct place,” he explains. “The open ditches have also been upgraded with green astroturf over straw bales at the back of the ‘ditch’; the take off board has also been moved in 8in from the BHA’s recommended maximum width.” Whilst the course is largely free-draining,
with strong winds drying out the ground quickly, it is located in one of the wettest
Portable steeplechase fences are moved after six meetings to give fresh ground on the approach
102 I PC FEBRUARY/MARCH 2016
A number of improvements have been made to the jumps themselves, including adding more brush to the front face to encourage better jumping
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