Plans well in motion as new season approaches at Bath Racecourse

In the latest instalment of his Clerk’s Column, Bath Racecourse clerk of the course Ben Hicks writes exclusively for the Bath Echo.

As we continue preparations for the new season at Bath, there are plenty of positive developments to share as we build towards our opening fixture in early April.

Although spring may still feel some way off, the work that goes on through the winter months is crucial in setting the course up for the season ahead – and the team have been working extremely hard behind the scenes.

One notable addition to the 2026 fixture list is an extra raceday we have taken on from our sister track, Chepstow.

We will be hosting an additional meeting on Tuesday 12th May, followed by the existing fixture the next day, making this another two-day fixture at Bath alongside the one already scheduled for September.

This change comes as Chepstow undergoes essential drainage works, which will require additional recovery time for their track.

We are pleased to be able to support them during this period and to welcome another valuable fixture to Lansdown.

Away from Bath, I have recently spent some time at Wolverhampton, clerking three of their evening fixtures.

All of those meetings went smoothly and, as always, it was useful to touch base with owners, trainers and jockeys – many of whom we will be welcoming back to Bath in the not-too-distant future.

Maintaining those relationships across different tracks is an important part of the role and always worthwhile, particularly as we head towards the start of our own season.

Back here at Lansdown, we have now reached the soil sampling stage with our fertiliser provider, which allows us to put a detailed plan in place for this season’s fertiliser programme.

These plans do, of course, remain subject to the weather, but I am confident we have arrived at a very effective approach.

The products we currently use suit the track well, and we are also looking forward to trialling some new seed and possibly other products that have recently come onto the market, as we continue to refine and improve our maintenance programme year on year.

All roads now lead to our first fixture of the season on Easter Sunday, 5th April, which will feature the Lansdown Fillies’ Stakes run this year for £70,000.

This race always provides an exciting start to the year at Bath, and no doubt trainers will be preparing plenty of smart fillies to kick us off in style at that opening meeting.

With the course in good order for the time of year and plans progressing well across all areas, there is plenty to be optimistic about as we count down to April and the welcome the return of racing to Bath.