The Devil Is In The Detail

I was at Kenilworth on Wednesday last to see Zanadu run. But that's not the point of this post. I mention it only to clarify why I was there.

I still cannot get my head around the reality that absolutely nobody seems to go to the course any longer. Myself included under normal circumstances. And I mean NOBODY. It was a lovely day etc., so you would imagine that, say, perhaps 100 (?) people who don't own the required technology to play from home might be tempted by an afternoon out? When I started racing back in the dark ages I knew a lot of racegoers who attended but didn't punt. Obviously that kind of person would die of loneliness today.......

But during the course of the afternoon it soon became apparent that the absence of the 'little things' might well be contributing to the status quo :

1. I decided to have a beer in the bar overlooking the parade ring. I honestly thought that the asking price of R 28,90 was a little excessive. (I'm not a beer drinker so I'm not entirely sure what a 'reasonable' price would be. But close to R30 seemed expensive ).

2. I also felt like a packet of crisps (or peanuts) to go with it. They offered me a starter. Really?

3. Later on in the afternoon I felt like a cigarette. Don't stock. A bar that doesn't stock cigarettes? Even a small vending machine? Unusual. Fortunately trainer Paul Reeves very kindly gave me an 'entjie' after I had approached him to buy one off him.

4. After my horse had run I took my partner to the RA room for tea. We both felt like scones (don't laugh ). They could offer tea or coffee but absolutely nothing to eat. No scones, cake, sandwiches or any other 'snacks'. She elected to go home.

I spent the remainder of the afternoon chatting to my ex bookmaker; one of three to stand up on the course. Throughout the afternoon he was patronised by the same three 'punters'; who collectively spent about R50 per race with him and who told me they were from......Durban.

So a modern racecourse experience can be summarised as follows :

Lonely. Boring. Expensive. Frustrating.

I think they should re-brand Kenilworth as Detroit.

I fully understand the post Garrick and cant stop thinking of the comparison with UK and Irish tracks??

They tend to be buzzing in any weather conditions, its a totally different mind set to a day at the races, if one considers there is normally an entrance fee?

I guess its a British tradition.

yes, their culture is more savvy and far more customer centric. that is all. we are asleep.

Sorry about your experience Garrick but I am sure that you are not really surprised as midweek racing can mostly be equated to something like school boy rugby.

The parents and friends will pitch but you are not going to be filling a stadium. With racing it's only a few owners and other connections that will turn out for a few races.

The big race days are normally a sell out like you would find with test rugby and with proper catering and all the bells and whistles.

What this amply proves is that racing is not a spectator sport and that the best way to get people interested is to get them involved as punters or owners. The link between participation and the appeal of a race is pretty evident.

The bottom line should be to grow participation on all fronts and a positive effect will be achieved in attendance as well. It won't guarantee a full house but there will be more people and growing numbers on course.

Could we really expect people that work to take time off during the week to go racing? This is pie in the sky stuff and daily racing is definitely not helping to fill the grand stand.

The right people also needs to be targeted. Forget about worrying mostly about millennials as most reading suggests that this group is easily bored, so good luck with keeping them interested at the course. Anyone with disposable income and time on their hands would be ideal customers.

Racing fans would be nice to have but a growing group of punters is far more realistic and would be good for funding of the game so as to make ownership more attractive again.

From Garrick's post, it sounds like they are doing everything possible to stop people from coming to the course. Is it just poor management or is this by design

I guess not willing design Lionel, just exasperation. Perhaps young blood can make a difference...let's see what happens this coming summer.