EQUESTRIAN
We were able to source a diesel pump from Briggs and, along with my deputy Chris Youngs, I’ve integrated it into our
”
system so that we now have the required irrigation capacity
source a diesel pump from Briggs Irrigation and, along with my deputy Chris Youngs, I’ve integrated it into our system so that we now have the required irrigation capacity.” The Epsom track had been ‘put to bed’ in the normal way in October 2019, with scarfication and aeration to get it through the winter, and then kept dormant apart from an early application of seaweed pre- lockdown. “We had to take account of the staff shortages due to necessary self-isolation and furloughing, but it has stayed in good condition with a full grass cover, despite the very wet and then very dry spring,” comments Craig. “In mid-May, we began feeding and bringing back the turf ready for the resumption.” At Sandown, the cancellation of the National hunt Finale meant that the jumps track missed out on its normal levels of irrigation and end of season renovations. “It’s something we will have to look at in the autumn. We’ve kept it cut a bit shorter to reduce the mowing frequency requirement
We needed to find a compromise, having never envisaged that public access could
”
jeopardise the Derby. We wanted to find a way forward that would maintain the history and unique test of the Derby
An act of Parliament means that the public have free access to walk on Epsom Downs even on race days; permission has been given for the Jockey Club to enclose the area for this year’s one-day Investec Derby meeting
110 PC June/July 2020
Planned replacement of underground irrigation pumps at Epsom was put on hold, so Estate Manager Craig Williamson worked with supplier Briggs to find a solution
for our smaller team,” comments Andrew. “However, the flat track is ready to go as we were prepared for a May resumption.” A more pressing dilemma for Andrew was how to facilitate racing ‘behind closed doors’ at Epsom where an Act of Parliament grants the local community the ‘right to take air and exercise’ on the Downs, theoretically 365 days a year. “We needed to find a compromise, having never envisaged that public access could jeopardise the Derby. Similar issues exist at other courses such as York and Chester for example, but we wanted to find a way forward that would maintain the history and unique test of the Derby which can only be achieved by running it at Epsom,” he says. Having studied law at university, he scrutinised the 1984 Epsom and Walton Downs Regulations Act in detail and saw that it might be possible to enclose the entire 150ha area for twenty-four hours, using fencing and stewards to exclude the public.
The proposal was then put to the Epsom
and Walton Downs Conservators - a ten- strong committee comprising six members of Epsom and Ewell Borough Council, three from the racecourse, including Andrew himself, and Horserace Betting Levy Board representative and local trainer Simon Dow. At a meeting, held via the now-ubiquitous video conference, it was agreed in mid-May. Racing behind closed doors will mean that the world’s most famous race will be attended by a maximum of 250 people, including racecourse staff, jockeys, trainers, stable lads and TV crews. “We’re still testing the protocols needed - which could include Perspex cubicles for jockeys to change in, while all jockeys and staff will wear masks.”
The racecourse will cover the cost of the fencing for the Derby meeting, but the difficulties of excluding the public could cast doubt on the rest of the season. “Whilst the community will support the move for the Derby, it’s questionable whether we can disrupt their rights for later meetings,” Andrew says. “Sandown could
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112 |
Page 113 |
Page 114 |
Page 115 |
Page 116 |
Page 117 |
Page 118 |
Page 119 |
Page 120 |
Page 121 |
Page 122 |
Page 123 |
Page 124 |
Page 125 |
Page 126 |
Page 127 |
Page 128 |
Page 129 |
Page 130 |
Page 131 |
Page 132 |
Page 133 |
Page 134 |
Page 135 |
Page 136 |
Page 137 |
Page 138 |
Page 139 |
Page 140 |
Page 141 |
Page 142 |
Page 143 |
Page 144 |
Page 145 |
Page 146 |
Page 147 |
Page 148 |
Page 149 |
Page 150 |
Page 151 |
Page 152 |
Page 153 |
Page 154 |
Page 155 |
Page 156
