EQUESTRIAN
Plumpton Racecourse
Hats off to Mark ‐ both of them
Like all sports, racing is facing up to big changes thanks to Coronavirus. One of National Hunt’s best-loved courses is preparing for an extra change. Its long serving Head Groundsman and, in recent times, its Clerk of the Course too is retiring at the end of the year. Neville Johnson visited the course to talk to Mark Cornford to get his thoughts on how ‘the turf’ has changed for him
n mid-July there was a post-lockdown tranquility at this lovely Sussex course, which first held a race meeting back in 1884. Tranquil yes, but because of what’s held sport - all of us, in fact - up, there was also an air of pent up expectation for the first new season ‘off’ just a few weeks away. National Hunt’s 20/21 season officially started on 1st July, but Plumpton’s first meeting, billed as Family Race Day, is scheduled for Sunday September 20th. Mark and his team, now unfurloughed, were setting about getting the course in tip-top shape for racing. He takes time out to talk about ‘the turf’ and what is a special final year for him.
I
Pitchcare: This is your 40th year here. To many you are Mr. Plumpton. Was it always your plan to retire this year, or have the effects on racing of the Covid pandemic affected your thinking?
Mark Cornford: My older brother Tony, who had also worked on the groundstaff here, died last year and it got me thinking about my own future. I made the decision then that it was the right time to sign off. Covid has been, still is, a massive shackle on racing, but no, my mind had been made up before it took hold.
About a year ago I wrote to the course owners expressing my thoughts and suggesting that plans be made for a take-
over of my dual responsibilities. My principal aim was to ensure a smooth transition.
Who’s taking over? Will they be doing both jobs?
Marcus Waters, who has experience as a groundsman at Brighton racecourse and, more recently, on the grounds team at Premiership Brighton’s Amex Stadium. He is more than qualified to take over course care reins.
He was only able to shadow me for two meetings prior to lockdown and, since that time, has been part of a small team gaining good hands on knowledge of the course and the art of fence refurbishing. Unfortunately, his formal training has been
Hurdling at Plumpton last season 114 PC August/September 2020
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
