Who's Attending Where?

[Spectre]

Not weekly or fortnightly by any stretch for me. TI do the Cheltenham meetings and several others dotted around the year though. I'll usually attend Ascot, Sandown, Newbury, Warwick, at some point in the main jumps season. Perhaps two or three others that are bit more ad hoc too. Summer jumps usually includes visits to Market Rasen, Stratford, and Uttoxeter.

 

[Old Vic]

I usually come out of hibernation for Listowel but only 2000 a day getting in I think.

A few familar names entered for Kerry National

2021_ONOR275 (hri-ras.ie)

 

[Lbur4288]

I try and get to one a month although not even managing that at the moment. I'll likely be at one of Haydock or Newcastle next month with a few other lads who enjoy the racing.

 

[ryanh97]

Hello lads, just new here.

Are you all regular racegoers (once a week or so) or just pick and choose a meeting every now and again ? The reason i ask is that a lot of my friends have either packed in going altogether or have limited themselves to just three or four meetings a year. One lad in particular (widowed) would go at least twice a week but now says he has been sickened off by the attitude of quite a few tracks who he says only seem interested in hospitality packages, music nights etc and the rest can just suck it up. And i read on another forum about another lad who was a regular who has packed in going due to astronomical food and drink prices and also the attitudes of some tracks. I would have thought that in this day and age, tracks would bend over backwards to keep their regulars but that doesnt seem to be the case.

I think it's a difficult one from the courses POV. Whilst it would be lovely if they just focused on us regulars, unfortunately I simply don't think there's enough regulars to keep the lights on. I used to work at Nottingham whilst at uni and the vast majority of the gate money for the season came from the Beer Festival and Ladies day meetings in June. The rest of the year was very low attendances so they had to do what they could to pack out the popular days.

 

[Deleted member 4957]

. One lad in particular (widowed) would go at least twice a week but now says he has been sickened off by the attitude of quite a few tracks who he says only seem interested in hospitality packages, music nights etc.

I think it’s harsh to beat up on racing for maximising profit so soon after the pandemic stripped them of all income streams for 15 months.
Anyone who has been out for a meal or tried booking a holiday cottage/caravan this Summer will confirm costs in other areas of the hospitality industry are bordering extortion.
No-one wants to pay more for anything but having been racing myself 15-20 times since punters were allowed back on course I can’t say I’ve seen any huge price hikes, they were high enough pre pandemic but I think you have to accept/expect a premium when at sporting events - I was at the Oval last week and paid 31 quid for bottle of red I can buy for under a tenner in Waitrose, which probably makes it about six quid in Tesco !
It’s been many many years since I last visited a nightclub but I assume they still charge well above pub prices ?
The music nights are an irritation for most racegoers I accept that, what the industry needs to do is find a way of accommodating both at the same location without upsetting the other, I know Richard Hughes has called for them to stop but they seem to be a significant source of income for racecourses, and dare I say it perhaps the difference between their survival and failure…

 

[ryanh97]

The music nights are an irritation for most racegoers I accept that, what the industry needs to do is find a way of accommodating both at the same location without upsetting the other, I know Richard Hughes has called for them to stop but they seem to be a significant source of income for racecourses, and dare I say it perhaps the difference between their survival and failure…

Absolutely Ista, 2 of my friends had never stop foot on a racecourse, and only did so because they went to the music night. Without that music nice, the course wouldn't have had their entry fee for the day. I know that's a very small example, but it won't be the only one.

 

[Mighty]

Never been there but remember the great John Francome saying 'If the world had a backside then Plumpton racecourse would be in the middle of it'. He was talking about it from a jockeys perspective though :chuncky:

Ha! Not heard that one before - let’s hope the day doesn’t go down the pan :chuncky:

As for how often I go, I’d love to go more than I do, but with a young family I’ll only do once a month or so to the bigger meetings between now and Sandown finale. First time at the Fez this year (been plenty of times to the Cheltenham meetings earlier in the year) and can’t wait.

 

[Quevega]

The racecourses should make more out of the product they have.
big screens should be at every meeting as well as closed circuit screens.
the Parade and jockeys on each horse should be flagged up on screen in the build up to each race, and photo finishes should be shown in the same detail as sky sports show it.
immediately
And numbers and names of horses involved clearly shown.
a summary by a guest expert of each race should also be broadcast. Before and after.
so on and so on.
without much of this the casual race goer can see the day go by in a blur of confusion and uncertainty.
I don’t get the music days really as it often looks like the course could have these events on non race days as extra revenue not just tagged on.

As an aside
has anyone noticed how poor the internet is on the racecourse these days. I’ve struggled to get bets on at York Doncaster and market rasen. I wondered if it was the on course bookmakers making it difficult so we bet with them but may just be the volume of people using either the on course WiFi or internet in general.
becoming a pain though

 

[Big Bucks]

Sounds like good news for any Northern Irish FJ members wanting to get to the jumps meeting at end of October.

https://twitter.com/Downroyal/status...081052164?s=19
Really looking forward to this

I usually go with work mates on the Friday, usually go for the Punter pack which usually costs around ?20-25 quid. Bottle wkd (sponsor the feature race), entry to Marquee, free bet and race card) However, seems this year they are looking ?45 and no free bet included! I'm busting to get back and will pay it but seems bit of a hike, seen someone mention earlier on the forums about hospitality having to recoup due to pandemic and the rest of it, but it's basically just access to a marquee not table service, own seats or whatever so there isn't really a hospitality aspect to it lol

Any thoughts? Might just be a general admission this year which is ?20, what is the normal rate for a race course?

Let's hope Gordy loads up and make it value for money!

 

[Deleted member 4957]

The racecourses should make more out of the product they have.
big screens should be at every meeting as well as closed circuit screens.
the Parade and jockeys on each horse should be flagged up on screen in the build up to each race, and photo finishes should be shown in the same detail as sky sports show it.
immediately
And numbers and names of horses involved clearly shown.
a summary by a guest expert of each race should also be broadcast. Before and after.
so on and so on.
without much of this the casual race goer can see the day go by in a blur of confusion and uncertainty.
I don’t get the music days really as it often looks like the course could have these events on non race days as extra revenue not just tagged on.

As an aside
has anyone noticed how poor the internet is on the racecourse these days. I’ve struggled to get bets on at York Doncaster and market rasen. I wondered if it was the on course bookmakers making it difficult so we bet with them but may just be the volume of people using either the on course WiFi or internet in general.
becoming a pain though

Are there any courses that don't have big screens these days ?
Most courses do have an expert go through the card, this is usually done about an hour before racing starts and in the winners enclosure, most people are in the bars when this takes place but the discussion is usually sent out across the PA.
Racecourse internet is poor and the fact it is at every racecourse suggests it's deliberate, it won't be volume of users because I've been to courses like Ludlow, Wincanton and Yarmouth with less than 1000 in attendance and not been able to get reception, I don't think it's as cynical as someone flicking a switch, after all bookies rely on updated betfair prices and they don't struggle...

 

[That Horse]

I usually go with work mates on the Friday, usually go for the Punter pack which usually costs around ?20-25 quid. Bottle wkd (sponsor the feature race), entry to Marquee, free bet and race card) However, seems this year they are looking ?45 and no free bet included! I'm busting to get back and will pay it but seems bit of a hike, seen someone mention earlier on the forums about hospitality having to recoup due to pandemic and the rest of it, but it's basically just access to a marquee not table service, own seats or whatever so there isn't really a hospitality aspect to it lol

Any thoughts? Might just be a general admission this year which is ?20, what is the normal rate for a race course?

Let's hope Gordy loads up and make it value for money!

The cost of WKD must have skyrocketed during lockdown :welcoming:

I'm doing the Moscow Flyer lounge with my Mrs on the Friday, and not sure what tickets we're getting on the Saturday as there's a few more supposed to be going.

?20 for just general admission is about right, they don't want to put the general public off of going in the first place but everything else getting marked up and I'm sure the price of a round of drinks will be a bit steeper than usual.

​​​​​

 

[Quevega]

Are there any courses that don't have big screens these days ?
Most courses do have an expert go through the card, this is usually done about an hour before racing starts and in the winners enclosure, most people are in the bars when this takes place but the discussion is usually sent out across the PA.
Racecourse internet is poor and the fact it is at every racecourse suggests it's deliberate, it won't be volume of users because I've been to courses like Ludlow, Wincanton and Yarmouth with less than 1000 in attendance and not been able to get reception, I don't think it's as cynical as someone flicking a switch, after all bookies rely on updated betfair prices and they don't struggle...

The whole Shabang at most courses lacks clarity and is half arsed.

I thought that about the internet- bookies needing it too
the reception being poor seems strange because of that

 

[BigChaang]

I think it's a difficult one from the courses POV. Whilst it would be lovely if they just focused on us regulars, unfortunately I simply don't think there's enough regulars to keep the lights on. I used to work at Nottingham whilst at uni and the vast majority of the gate money for the season came from the Beer Festival and Ladies day meetings in June. The rest of the year was very low attendances so they had to do what they could to pack out the popular days.

This is probably true of the majority of Racecourses i think , Outside of the big day's , they probably only get a few hundred in.
Definitely the case at Plumpton and Lingfield . It needs a lot of people to operate and even if there are volunteer's , they probably barely break even ??.
I 'll be a complete hypocrite with regards to the Music nights , not generally my cup of Tea .
But i also had a great afternoon at Sandown races followed by the Mighty " Quo " :cheerful:. .
And actually , there's usually a band playing ( all day?? ) , at the Cheltenham Festival , in the Best mate enclosure . Not that i've taken part there , coz
Nothing get's in the way of the Racing for Me during Cheltenham week.

 

[Lbur4288]

I'm trying to get to a good few meetings before I go to Cheltenham in March so a group of us will be going to the Betfair Chase day at Haydock. Looking forward to it, amazingly I've never been to Haydock despite it being one of the nearer courses for me.

 

[Zachx02]

I'm trying to get to a good few meetings before I go to Cheltenham in March so a group of us will be going to the Betfair Chase day at Haydock. Looking forward to it, amazingly I've never been to Haydock despite it being one of the nearer courses for me.

Went to Haydock for Sprint Cup day, was a good day out you'll enjoy it mate

 

[Overturn]

Market Rasen for me today - first time on course since the festival 2020 :encouragement::very_drunk:

 

[Faugheen_Machine]

I'm attending Newcastle on the Friday of Cheltenham's November meeting.

Been to the meeting a few times in the past and then had a night out in the Toon. They've changed it to a bloody all weather meeting though and I hadn't realised. At least I'll be able to bet at Cheltenham.:hopelessness:

 

[Spectre]

Talking of Cheltenham, the members badge popped through the door yesterday. The hotel is booked for the October meeting, and I can’t wait for the first visit of the season to HQ.

I was one of the lucky ones that got a ticket to the December meeting in the ballot last season, but a few of my friends haven’t been for 19 months now, as I’m sure is the case with many of you guys. I find myself looking forward to this season more than most. Hopefully Boris keeps his nose out and we get an uninterrupted season.

 

[Ice]

Champions day and the hennesssy coming up for me, i dare say there will be a Cheltenham or two as well !

 

[Overturn]

Has anyone done Longchamp / Arc day and if so any recommendations? Looking to arrange next year early doors - Paris for the weekend shouldn’t be too difficult to get the buy in from the other half!