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Racecourse calls off opener over ground conditions

Neve Gordon-Farleigh
Getty Images About six horses and jockeys race at Fakenham Racecourse in Norfolk, slightly blurred by their speed. Spectators watch from the stands in the background.Getty Images
After a visit from the British Horseracing Authority, Fakenham Racecourse has cancelled its Season Opener Raceday on 16 October

A racecourse has abandoned its opening meeting of the season due to the impact of drought conditions on the course.

Following a visit from the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) on Monday, Fakenham Racecourse in Norfolk has called off its Season Opener Raceday on 16 October to allow new grass seed to be established.

Organisers said the safety of horses and jockeys was its priority, and it hoped to welcome spectators back on 2 November.

David Hunter, chief executive and clerk of the course, said: "We've had the hottest and longest and driest summer probably on record and certainly the longest and driest summer that I have known in my 30 years at Fakenham."

In July, the Environment Agency declared a drought across more than half of England — including East Anglia.

Hunter said the course was one of eight fixtures in the country that has been affected by the conditions.

Richard Knights/BBC David Hunter wears a green fleece hat bearing the Hunter logo, with a shirt and tie beneath two zipped jumpers and a country-style gilet. He smiles at the camera while standing outdoors on the racecourse.Richard Knights/BBC
David Hunter says the new grass seed has not germinated enough to take to the racecourse

Speaking to Chris Goreham on the BBC Radio Norfolk Breakfast programme, he said: "It's unusual to call off a fixture as early as we have.

"The extremities of this summer mean quite a lot of areas have died off, and we had to then oversee the areas, and we could only oversee the area once we had moisture in the ground and continuing moisture [of] rain or irrigation to start to get the grass to germinate, and those areas have not established themselves with enough strength to give us the confidence to be racing a week today."

He said while there had been rain, it was not enough; however, things were going in the right direction.

The racecourse said it has worked with a neighbouring landowner and the Environment Agency to buy up to 16,000 cubic metres of additional water, and the ground will continue to be irrigated until the end of the month.

It said anyone who purchased tickets online would receive a full refund, and the next race days are due to take place in November, December and January 2027.

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