We’ve been busy at Bath and on the road since season finale

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

Our away days have continued to keep myself and the grounds team busy.

Recent trips away from Bath have seen us supporting our colleagues at Chepstow, Worcester and Royal Windsor, assisting with both schooling mornings and for their jump racing fixtures.

It has been a busy period, but certainly productive with some valuable experiences.

The original figure-of-eight layout for jump racing at Windsor was really well received.

My fellow clerk, Charlie Rees, and his team really did deliver a wonderful National Hunt fixture on what is Britain’s only racecourse on an island, something you may want to remember for a quiz one day!

Back at Bath, those winter jobs I mentioned previously are now well under way.

We cut the track down to three inches over the winter, allowing the sward to thicken out over the next few months, and we will pretty much keep off it now apart from some aeration when conditions allow.

I am really happy with how it is looking for the time of year, and some milder days after the season finale allowed seed to establish following the final repairs.

 A major focus this off-season is the weighing room project, which has officially begun and is progressing nicely.

This refurbishment will transform this hub of activity on a race day, and we are already looking forward to welcoming jockeys back into it when racing returns in April.

It is an exciting project for everyone onsite and a real investment in the experience of everyone riding here.

Recently we were shortlisted for an award at The Business Exchange awards, in the “Going The Extra Mile” category.

I am delighted to say that we won the award, and it is a real testament to the hard work from our small team over the summer months. I am so pleased they have gained deserved recognition.

Despite the racing season being over, the racecourse is far from quiet.

Our Christmas parties commenced on Thursday 4th December, so we have been getting all the decorations out and trees up in recent days.

As many of you will have seen, the fixture list is now published for 2026, and we have 20 race days lined up.

No doubt our season opener on Sunday 5th April will come around in no time at all.

Enjoy the excellent National Hunt racing over the coming weeks, and I will be back soon.