In the first instalment of his new Clerk’s Column, Bath Racecourse clerk of the course Ben Hicks writes exclusively for the Bath Echo.
My name is Ben Hicks, clerk of the course at Bath Racecourse.
This is my fourth full season at Bath, and I’m delighted to share an update on the track as we look forward to one of the most anticipated weekends of our calendar.
Our two-day fixture takes place on Saturday 13th September and Sunday 14th September, and it promises to be a highlight of the season.
The action builds across the two days, with seven programmed races on both the Saturday and Sunday.
The highlight comes on the Sunday, when we stage the eagerly awaited finals of both our Sprint and Stayers Series. Each carries a total prize fund of £35,000, making them standout contests in our programme.
These finals are the culmination of 10 qualifiers in each series, where points are earned – 10 for the winner, down to one point for sixth place.
Horses can also secure nine bonus points by running in three qualifiers. This protects against elimination in the final, unlike the usual process where lower-rated horses are first to miss out when maximum field sizes are reached.
The Sprint Final is staged over five furlongs and 160 yards, while the Stayers Final is run over one mile and six furlongs. Owners and trainers have been targeting these races since spring, and we usually see very competitive fields.
Adding to the excitement on the Sunday, racegoers will also be treated to two pony races before the main card begins. These are always popular and provide a wonderful opportunity to watch some of the most talented young riders in the country.
Many professional jockeys began their careers in pony racing, and it is quite possible that among those competing at Bath on 14th September are the future stars of British racing.
The Saturday afternoon will kick the weekend off, with gates opening at 2.05pm ahead of seven races.
Once the action has concluded, the entertainment continues with a live performance from Bath regulars The Wurzels. They have become synonymous with the racecourse over the years, always attracting an enthusiastic crowd, and many racegoers return year after year to see them perform. We are delighted to welcome them back to Lansdown.
Delivering a two-day fixture of this scale requires planning and teamwork.
As clerk of the course, it is my responsibility to ensure the track is presented in the best possible condition.
The role of the grounds team is vital, and after the Saturday racing we will be hard at work moving sections of the running rail and repairing the previous day’s running lines.
This allows us to provide fresh ground where possible for the Sunday card, an important step in maintaining the quality of the surface that stakeholders rightly expect.
The team here at Bath take great pride in their work, and their efforts behind the scenes are every bit as important as what the public sees on the track.
Looking back at the season so far, there have been memorable highlights.
In April, James Tate’s Electric Storm produced a stunning performance to win the Whitsbury Manor Lansdown Fillies’ Listed Stakes and set a new track record for five furlongs. Her time of 58.30 seconds broke a record that had stood for 18 years.
We also witnessed history on Friday 1st August, when Blue Hero became the winning-most horse at Bath Racecourse, landing his ninth career victory here. He is a real favourite amongst the team, and it was very special to see him reach this milestone.
The success was richly deserved for his local trainer and owner, Adrian Wintle, and his hardworking team, who are regular supporters of racing at Bath.
As we count down the days, the sense of anticipation is building. A weekend of competitive racing, live music, pony racing and the unique Bath Racecourse atmosphere awaits.
On behalf of myself and the entire team here, we look forward to welcoming racegoers on Saturday 13th September and Sunday 14th September for what promises to be one of the real highlights of our season.
