Dry summer puts horse racing season under threat
Racecourses are warning that without significant rain, several fixtures could be cancelled before the season even starts.
An unusually dry summer is causing real concern across British racing. Courses on both sides of the Flat and jump calendar are warning that fixtures could be cancelled if rain does not arrive soon.
Wincanton’s season opener at risk
Wincanton Racecourse in Somerset could cancel its opening fixture of the season for the second year running. Clerk of the course Tom Ryall said the track needs a sustained period of rain over the next two months. Only then will the ground be soft enough for racing on 25 October. Wincanton was forced to call off its season opener last year for the same reason.
Nicholls: “One of the driest summers I remember”
Trainer Paul Nicholls, based at Ditcheat in Shepton Mallet, described conditions as among the driest he can remember. The dry ground has kept some of his horses off the track altogether this summer.
Watering every day at Salisbury
Further east, Salisbury Racecourse has taken a different approach. Clerk of the course Jeremy Martin said the track has been watered almost daily throughout the summer to prevent the ground turning too firm for its fortnightly fixtures. It is the heaviest watering programme in his 26 years at the course.
A season waiting on the weather
The situation affects both codes. Jump racing needs rain to soften ground for the new season, while Flat tracks like Salisbury have spent the summer fighting to keep the going firm enough to race safely. It is an odd contrast to this week’s rain forecast for the Sprint Cup at Haydock. For now, both are watching the forecast as closely as any punter.
