Racecourse Attendances

Today there is just the one jumps meeting again, this time at Ludlow and the stable does not have any runners. There are flat cards at Kempton and Southwell and they race on the all-weather in Ireland at Dundalk. The next stable runners are at Sandown tomorrow where we have Ramses De Teillee and Poseidon declared. David Noonan looks to have some good rides at Ludlow and I think he will be amongst the winners again today.

Yesterday at Ffos Las, Evan Williams did manage to come away from the meeting with one winner with his daughter Isabel in the saddle. It was a 16/1 chance so probably wasn’t one of the more fancied runners on the day. My horse to watch at the meeting Masked Magtil ran okay in the mares novices hurdle. While I didn’t get to watch the race itself the Racing Post call it a promising run so she could be one to follow next time out. Philip Armson was nearer last than first on his bumper ride but the betting suggested that this could be the case.

I read the Racing Post article on racecourse attendances and it is a bit of a worrying read. For the first time in over 25 years (except covid years) racecourse attendances dropped to below 5 million for the year. The average attendance for a year (up to the end of November) declined by 13.9% compared to the same time period in 2019. Figures for people attending race meetings in December have not yet been calculated but it is hoped they may boost overall figures slightly with racecourses saying the attendances over the Christmas period were good. Racing in is having to face the same challenges every other part of the Bristish economy is having the face - it is an industry that relies on discretionary spending.  On the flip side Lingfield are putting on a great offer for their Winter Million Festival that they have coming up later this month. They are offering a £20 ticket for all three days of their race meeting which is jumping on day one, a flat card on day two and jumping action again on the final day. Racing takes place on 20-22nd January and there is plenty of prize money up for grabs. The inaugural meeting last year was hailed as a success and while unfortunately for the course the ITV cameras will not be in attendance because of other sporting commitments hopefully they will get the high class horses and a good attendance from the public.

Last night I watched the Chelsea against Man City match.  I thought Chelsea did well with a lot of youngsters in their team but they lost 1-0 in the end.  The two teams play each other in two days time in the FA Cup.  There is more football action this evening as my team, Manchester United are at home to Everton in the third round of the FA Cup, 8pm Kick off. While Everton have not been playing that well in the league, the form book goes out the window in a cup game and anything can happen!! Fingers crossed United can get the job done and be in the fourth round draw.

Today I found out that Dwayne Johnson lives in the apartment above mine…Can’t believe that for years I have been living under a Rock. Have a nice day!