You really ought to report him - he should be wearing a name badge, but, if he's not, demand he shows it to you. That sort of thing is not on, and I speak (well, type!) as part of raceday staff (at other courses). Any time you're solicited for a 'tip' to find a parking spot, unless you want to bribe your way in, that is, or find gatemen accepting 'thank yous' to allow people into where they shouldn't be, do report it to the racecourse office or the next nearest member of staff with a radio. It's not on and it only causes (as it has with you) bad feelings about the way the course is run. There are other considerations like safety numbers, if the practice is too rife, but that's not the point. You could always e-mail later, if you didn't want to be bothered on the day, of course, but direct action's always best.
What Will They Come Up With? (BHA Consultants report)
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Shadow Leader
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Probably longer than that - she won't have paid to get in working for SiS either.
There were a bunch of roudy skinheads right in front of us at Newbury earlier, making a nuisance of themselves. They all had pints or cans of Foster's (drinks aren't allowed out on racecourse side and it's dubious that they would have been able to buy cans of Foster's onsite either, so they probably brought them in) and were being a general nuisance. Just as I was deciding to go and find a security guard two of them marched up to them to move them on anyway and asking to see their badges (that they weren't wearing and didn't produce). So, did they move them on or kick them out for 1) taking drinks outside, 2) bringing their own drinks in 3) not having the relevant badges or 4) being a general pain in the arse? None of the above - they kicked them out of members as they were wearing jeans, ffs! They dumped them the other side of the rails and let them carry on being rowdy and left them with their drinks! We all got the general impression security was frightened of them, mind.
There were a bunch of roudy skinheads right in front of us at Newbury earlier, making a nuisance of themselves. They all had pints or cans of Foster's (drinks aren't allowed out on racecourse side and it's dubious that they would have been able to buy cans of Foster's onsite either, so they probably brought them in) and were being a general nuisance. Just as I was deciding to go and find a security guard two of them marched up to them to move them on anyway and asking to see their badges (that they weren't wearing and didn't produce). So, did they move them on or kick them out for 1) taking drinks outside, 2) bringing their own drinks in 3) not having the relevant badges or 4) being a general pain in the arse? None of the above - they kicked them out of members as they were wearing jeans, ffs! They dumped them the other side of the rails and let them carry on being rowdy and left them with their drinks! We all got the general impression security was frightened of them, mind.
They did have the jockeys riding in the Guineas all lined up for a photo on the WR terrace wall, between the two sets of steps down to the PR, and they each came down as their names were called. Even where I was standing, not far away in the PR to take a couple of pics, they seemed a long way away. The Rowley Mile PR is huge - one of the biggest if not the biggest, and they would have looked like 2ins tall to anyone on the rails! Btw I think its sheer size is why the gatemen are relatively relaxed - they do tend to be where the ring is big. It's course like Lingfield with its tiny PR where you have to be very careful
I think whoever said the RM Nmkt Parade Ring is small must have been standing by the Pre-Parade Ring, which is indeed quite small. The July Course PR is pretty big as well, about the same as Cheltenham or Newbury, but being long it's not so hard to get a good view as at the RM where they take an age to get round, and a lot of the 'edge' isn't accessible as it fronts the WR
I think whoever said the RM Nmkt Parade Ring is small must have been standing by the Pre-Parade Ring, which is indeed quite small. The July Course PR is pretty big as well, about the same as Cheltenham or Newbury, but being long it's not so hard to get a good view as at the RM where they take an age to get round, and a lot of the 'edge' isn't accessible as it fronts the WR
Shadz, that's absurd. Along with 7 other women and 6 blokes, I've just completed a 4-day Security Industry Assoc. course dealing with just that sort of nonsense. (And yes, I scored the highest on the exam - 97%, so don't mess with me, drunken skinheads!) If people - regardless of their tonsorial and sartorial shortcomings - are rowdy and annoying racegoers, they're asked to tone things down. If they fail to do so, they can be ejected from the course, end of. We've taken out the single rowdy pisshead at Brighton on the odd occasion, and, just as you do at night clubs, they're escorted outside the doors/gates, and left to squeal and make finger puppets on the pavement. Nobody should have to put up with unacceptable behaviour of any kind - loud swearing, shouting, rowdiness and otherwise interfering with other people's enjoyment of the day.
But... again and again, people will not complain to the courses. They complain to other staff (like the barmen, who shouldn't have been serving the drunks, anyway), or to some old boy flogging TimeForm, but they just won't tell management. Racecourse offices are open during racedays - racegoers should go straight to them, tell them what's wrong and where, and the course can call up the appropriate supervisor to deal with it. Whether it's busted loos, broken tv's, lost kids - anything, in fact - the course office should despatch the right assistance. But, as auctioneers will tell you, "speak, or I don't hear you!".
But... again and again, people will not complain to the courses. They complain to other staff (like the barmen, who shouldn't have been serving the drunks, anyway), or to some old boy flogging TimeForm, but they just won't tell management. Racecourse offices are open during racedays - racegoers should go straight to them, tell them what's wrong and where, and the course can call up the appropriate supervisor to deal with it. Whether it's busted loos, broken tv's, lost kids - anything, in fact - the course office should despatch the right assistance. But, as auctioneers will tell you, "speak, or I don't hear you!".
Andy Stewart
http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2009/may/19/kauto-star-horse-racing
Common sense.
Surely whatever money has been spent on this ridicuous consulting agency would have been much better spent on ensuring facilities, food, drink and ticket prices were all much better value, and in the case of the former 3, better quality.
Whenever you go racing, the choice of food is usually from some awful van, which is unhealthy, disgusting and usually the standard pricing can be seen in £6 for a burger - crazy!
The only time I've eaten reasonably good food at a racecourse was the Tingle Creek a couple of years back, when what with the friends we were with, we decided to have a meal in the restaurant, which involved a different raceday experience, mostly indoors and you shouldn't have to choose this option to eat well.
Stewart's comments about £3 for a coke are spot on, with how you can buy the same product in Tesco's for 45p.
I looked into going to the Derby today, and saw that tickets for the Grandstand (not premier) are £50, and more expensive on the day! Why would anyone with a passing interest (or less) in horseracing pay £50 for a ticket to the Derby, £6 for a horrible bap/burger/sandwich when hunger strikes, and whatever price a drink is - it is just not going to happen. Add betting with little knowledge on top, and you are looking at anything from £150 upwards per person.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2009/may/19/kauto-star-horse-racing
Common sense.
Surely whatever money has been spent on this ridicuous consulting agency would have been much better spent on ensuring facilities, food, drink and ticket prices were all much better value, and in the case of the former 3, better quality.
Whenever you go racing, the choice of food is usually from some awful van, which is unhealthy, disgusting and usually the standard pricing can be seen in £6 for a burger - crazy!
The only time I've eaten reasonably good food at a racecourse was the Tingle Creek a couple of years back, when what with the friends we were with, we decided to have a meal in the restaurant, which involved a different raceday experience, mostly indoors and you shouldn't have to choose this option to eat well.
Stewart's comments about £3 for a coke are spot on, with how you can buy the same product in Tesco's for 45p.
I looked into going to the Derby today, and saw that tickets for the Grandstand (not premier) are £50, and more expensive on the day! Why would anyone with a passing interest (or less) in horseracing pay £50 for a ticket to the Derby, £6 for a horrible bap/burger/sandwich when hunger strikes, and whatever price a drink is - it is just not going to happen. Add betting with little knowledge on top, and you are looking at anything from £150 upwards per person.
Gamla Stan
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What an idiot, he should shut up if he hasn't got any ideas rather than singling out Flat racing. National Hunt racing couldn't be more out of touch with the man on the street.
Should take a leaf out of some of the point to point meets!
Our local has the obligatory burger van but on top of that we have toasted sarnie van, Hog roast (a real one! not crap joints of pork) salad van & last but by no means least a soup van!!! not forgetting the fundraisers who make the most fantastic sausage rolls & cakes
Our local has the obligatory burger van but on top of that we have toasted sarnie van, Hog roast (a real one! not crap joints of pork) salad van & last but by no means least a soup van!!! not forgetting the fundraisers who make the most fantastic sausage rolls & cakes
Euronymous
Senior Jockey
LoL
Also, no one is forcing people to eat at the racecourse. Four of us lunched for £20 at a nice little pub in York last week.
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That's an excellent point, Euronymous: I can highly recommend The Blacksmith's Arms at Offham, just outside Lewes, on the way to Plumpton. It's situated on a murderous little bend, off to the left, with parking at the rear. Its hosts, Sylvia and Bernard Booker, are both keen racing fans, having had shares in horses in the past. Bernard's steak & kidney pie is fantastic. A really delicious, beautifully cooked three-course lunch sets you back (on their special menu) a miserly £10. The main menu isn't at all expensive, either, and their mussels are superb. The pub is old-fashioned with a reasonable wine list and will certainly set you up for the day's racing, in lieu of Plumpton's £37 for three courses.
However, it's useful to know what courses do offer in the way of troughing: Lingfield has a really super carvery with delicious puddings, plus a very extensive hot/cold brasserie, a good-size deli bar with paninis, croques monsieurs, baguettes, and sarnies. Then in summer there's the addition of the seafood and champagne bar, as well as a really good fish & chip shop. When there is a burger van, under a fiver gets you a monster Angus beef burger which is hand, not factory, made, cooked to order. To be honest, with its salad garnish, it really is a meal's worth.
I think the least racecourses should offer are three eating options - a restaurant or carvery, a brasserie/bistro-type place, and light, snack-type food. Better still to add on a variety of other yummies like real hog roasts (Fontwell Park), chicken satay noodles (Plumpton), and so on.
However, it's useful to know what courses do offer in the way of troughing: Lingfield has a really super carvery with delicious puddings, plus a very extensive hot/cold brasserie, a good-size deli bar with paninis, croques monsieurs, baguettes, and sarnies. Then in summer there's the addition of the seafood and champagne bar, as well as a really good fish & chip shop. When there is a burger van, under a fiver gets you a monster Angus beef burger which is hand, not factory, made, cooked to order. To be honest, with its salad garnish, it really is a meal's worth.
I think the least racecourses should offer are three eating options - a restaurant or carvery, a brasserie/bistro-type place, and light, snack-type food. Better still to add on a variety of other yummies like real hog roasts (Fontwell Park), chicken satay noodles (Plumpton), and so on.
I agree both are out of touch, but if his points were extended to both codes, they would be very valid. Whilst he did not offer a definitive solution, he did mention points which need solving, such as I mentioned above (prices of entry, food etc)
That's great and good value, but what if racing starts at 1, you want to get there at 12 at the latest, and it doesn't finish till 4.30? It doesn't leave much scope to go to a pub beforehand, and some tracks are quite isolated in terms of nearby eateries.
I think there's something in Stewart's remarks. Too many of the big days in flat racing are mid-week when ordinary saps who have to work can't follow it. Too many tracks like Thirsk and Doncaster insist on dress codes at even minor meetings. I'd love to go to the Derby or Royal Ascot for the quality of the racing but I can't imagine ever coping with the other nonsense that's involved.
And by the way, the image of racing projected by the two last-named meetings, with all their attendant publicity, is harmful to racing. People assume that the same degree of snobbery exists throughout racing and that they're better off keeping out of it.
This situation doesn't seem to be a coincidence, either. Race meetings in times past were often venues for serious violence, faction fighting and the like and the authorities were happy to see the plebs stay away until more modern times when it dawned on them that nowadays your average pleb might have some money to spend.
And by the way, the image of racing projected by the two last-named meetings, with all their attendant publicity, is harmful to racing. People assume that the same degree of snobbery exists throughout racing and that they're better off keeping out of it.
This situation doesn't seem to be a coincidence, either. Race meetings in times past were often venues for serious violence, faction fighting and the like and the authorities were happy to see the plebs stay away until more modern times when it dawned on them that nowadays your average pleb might have some money to spend.
Harbinger
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Correct; and a specific problem in Britain. For example, it beggars belief that so many mid-summer Saturdays go by without a Group 1 race in Britain whilst virtually all of Ireland and France's are on weekends or public holidays.
Correct.
Unfair on Epsom; the Derby has always attracted the full gamut. Helps that the Downs are public property and you can therefore get onto The Hill (essentially the infield) for free.
Well, Hamm, as the latest and hopefully last of a few counties I've adopted throughout time, I have to say I'd agree with you about Sussex, too! The last decade here has been great, although I found Devonians wonderfully kind and friendly, too. While we're on the subject of nosh, if anyone loves South African boerwors (sausage), I can recommend a Brighton-based ex-Zimbabwean who makes the best I've tasted outside Suid Afrika. I ate a whole sausage circle in two days flat, after it was bbq'd. Fanyummytastic! If anyone wants the contact info, just PM - it's too good to keep secret!
Going back to making racing a friendly and welcoming experience, although I've only been to one race meeting in Australia (just a bog standard one, nothing fancy like the Melbourne Cup!), although I can't recall how much it was to go in, what was nice was that people were dressed in just regular clothes, appropriate to the weather. It was a rather overcast and humid day - which I hate - so folks were in cotton shirtsleeves and chinos, that sort of wear. Everyone looked 'properly' dressed (yet no furry beer bellies on naked display), but no-one was uncomfortable (as per Goodwood and its silly jacket stuff), and everyone behaved perfectly decently.
A few years back, the then manager of Lingfield Park tried to introduce a 'no denim' policy, thinking of ripped jeans and arses hanging out, Cobain-style. First to arrive was a charming woman wearing a trendy denim suit. Then three young guys, all co-owners of a horse, turned up in Levi's. Hmm... say, thanks for bringing your horse, but would you please shove off in those denims? I don't think so! The policy died the day it was born. It's such old-fart thinking that makes racecourses appear inanely snobbish and out of touch with reality.
Going back to making racing a friendly and welcoming experience, although I've only been to one race meeting in Australia (just a bog standard one, nothing fancy like the Melbourne Cup!), although I can't recall how much it was to go in, what was nice was that people were dressed in just regular clothes, appropriate to the weather. It was a rather overcast and humid day - which I hate - so folks were in cotton shirtsleeves and chinos, that sort of wear. Everyone looked 'properly' dressed (yet no furry beer bellies on naked display), but no-one was uncomfortable (as per Goodwood and its silly jacket stuff), and everyone behaved perfectly decently.
A few years back, the then manager of Lingfield Park tried to introduce a 'no denim' policy, thinking of ripped jeans and arses hanging out, Cobain-style. First to arrive was a charming woman wearing a trendy denim suit. Then three young guys, all co-owners of a horse, turned up in Levi's. Hmm... say, thanks for bringing your horse, but would you please shove off in those denims? I don't think so! The policy died the day it was born. It's such old-fart thinking that makes racecourses appear inanely snobbish and out of touch with reality.
I
ItalianStallion
Guest
How many racing phrases are actually used in sport, I could name at least 10 - well maybe we have a starting point.