he British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has today announced alterations to fixtures at Epsom Downs on Sunday 30 September and Salisbury racecourse on Wednesday 3 October owing to damage caused to both tracks by chafer grubs.
In both cases races will only be run over distances of one mile and under, in order to avoid the areas of damaged ground. In order to achieve this it is necessary to programme three new races at Epsom Downs’ 30 September fixture and two new races at Salisbury’s 3 October fixture.
Full race programme details and further fixture information are available via the Racing Admin website www2.racingadmin.co.uk.
Richard Russell, Race Planning Executive for the BHA, said:
“Owing to the fact that most of the track remains raceable at both Epsom Downs and Salisbury, we agreed that it is in the best interests of the horse population, racing fans and our participants that these fixtures go ahead, with all races being run over a distance of a mile or less.”
Andrew Cooper, Clerk of the Course at Epsom Downs, said:
“Following an inspection of the course yesterday with the British Horseracing Authority Senior Inspector of Courses, Richard Linley, there is no evidence of further chafer grub damage at Epsom Downs Racecourse so we are pleased to announce that Saga’s Season Finale on Sunday 30 September will go ahead.
“It has been agreed that it is currently safe to race over the last eight furlongs of the course so with BHA assistance, we have been able to create three new races meaning that we will still host seven exciting races to finish the Epsom Downs season.
“The course will continue to be monitored on a daily basis.”
Jeremy Martin, Clerk of the Course at Salisbury, said:
“Our chafer grub problem would appear to be confined to the loop section and we successfully raced on the Straight course only, last Friday afternoon. We will continue to closely monitor the Straight course on a daily basis up to and including our final fixture of the season, on Wednesday 3rd October”.
Notes to editors:
1. For further information please contact the BHA Racing Department on 0207 152 0050 or via [email protected].
