AFTER hosting its final race of the season at the end of last month, the general manager of Warwick Racecourse Huw Williams is delighted with how the course has progressed throughout the year, writes Shaun Reynolds.
A decision was made in late July, 2014, to transform Warwick into a jumps only venue, following the fatal incident to Artful Lady a couple of months before.
However since the National Hunt season began back in September, Warwick has attracted some key graduates to the county town with the likes of Vibrato Valtat, Hawkes Point and Glens Melody all featuring throughout the year.
Reflecting back on a positive season, Williams told the Observer: “What we’ve managed to deliver at Warwick Racecourse in terms of product – not only the quality of the ground and the quality of racing we’ve produced – has been hugely supported by the people.
“It will just build on itself hopefully and we can go from strength to strength. It’s been a good season; we’ve had some graduates from the course who have gone on to bigger and better things.
“If we deliver the ground it will get the support of the owners and trainers who bring the horses and the quality will inevitably go up which will in turn bring more genuine National Hunt enthusiasts to Warwick and hopefully attract new people to the sport too.”
Ladies Day was the attraction for racegoers with a glittering spread of prizes available to the best dressed lady on the afternoon.
To add to that, over £100,000 of prize money was on offer over the seven race card, something Williams was extremely pleased with.
He added: “We’ve had some huge prize money on offer today and I am pleased with the turnout we’ve got.
“We wanted to finish the season on a high, which I believe we have done, and the most important thing is that the customers, jockey and horses all go home safely having enjoyed their day at Warwick Racecourse.
“Ladies Day has been received well. It’s been good to have Chanelle McCoy (Husband of 20 times Champion Jockey AP McCoy) here to judge our competition. I’m really very pleased with the season.”
Warwick Racecourse now takes a summer break before re-opening for the 2015/16 season on September 22. For more information on Warwick Racecourse visit http://warwick.thejockeyclub.co.uk/.
