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Equestrian “


We only have eighteen acres of racing surface, so we don’t need a big mower - the Trimax can cut the course in two or three hours, although we prefer to take longer and focus on quality


A review of mowing equipment has led to the purchase of a Trimax Snake, which gives a quality cut and can be pulled by a compact tractor


costs of front linkage and pto outweighed any benefits.


Until recently, a self‐propelled WAM was used, but Matthew felt that cut quality could be improved. “The latest generation of tractor mounted mowers have specially designed decks that produce the updraft to take wheel marks out and give a high quality cut,” he explains. “We opted for the Trimax Snake, as it is small and compact enough to mow around jumps.”


New growth showing in areas which have been repaired


David adds: “We only have eighteen acres of racing surface, so we don’t need a big mower ‐ the Trimax can cut the course in two or three hours, if necessary, although we prefer to take longer and focus on quality.” The contour following ability of the Trimax has not gone unnoticed by the head greenkeeper of the nine‐hole golf course which is at the centre and surrounds of the racecourse, and he has borrowed it on occasion to stripe the fairways! Also on the shopping list is a smaller decompactor to replace the ancient Verti‐ drain which still does sterling duty. “Having our own machine gives us the


The independent racecourse


As chief executive of Fakenham Racecourse, David reports to a board of directors, most of whom are based in East Anglia.


“We are not part of a large group, so everything that we do can be done for the love of racing rather than to fit in with company policy. We are also responsible to the local community.”


However, Fakenham is a member of Independent Racecourses Ltd., which allows David and the management team to share best practice and liaise with the wider racing industry. As a group, the Independent Racecourses was able to renegotiate its media rights in 2017; as well as being covered by At The Races, Fakenham was one of twenty‐three courses to have signed up with The Racing Partnership (TRP) run by Arena Racing Company (ARC), which agreed a new deal to show racing in betting shops.


92 I PC DECEMBER/JANUARY 2018


flexibility to go out when we need to, but it does take a bit of patching up, and we would prefer a lighter implement to go on a compact.”


With two major agricultural machinery franchises plus an independent dealer in the town, there is plenty of opportunity to shop around for useful pieces of kit, such as a used hedgecutter.


Matthew’s eye for innovation even extends to the labour intensive task of rail movements.


“We use the tractor loader with a chain to pull the rails out, and then relocate the posts before putting them back in with a petrol driven post driver suspended from the loader. It’s quicker and easier for the groundsmen than using a sledgehammer to put the posts in.”


Labour saving is important as there are just two full‐time groundsmen to support Matthew, plus a part‐time gardener. In addition to looking after the turf for racing, the team has to make sure that the racecourse is in good condition year round for the caravan pitches.


Pitches for 200 caravans bring useful income, but do incur ground damage which needs to be repaired


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