As we prepare for our final race meeting of the season at Bath next Thursday, it is lovely to see the racecourse looking as good as it has all year.
The recent rain has made a tremendous difference to the ground, encouraging plenty of fresh growth and bringing the track back to life after what has been a difficult summer for us.
We have had to contend with prolonged dry weather, and keeping everything looking its best has certainly been a challenge. It is frustrating when you are working hard to maintain the course and the weather is against you, so seeing the grass respond so positively to the rainfall has been a real boost.
Our penultimate meeting on Monday was a good day, with sunshine, more than 90 runners and some competitive racing.
Tom Marquand rode a treble, while two photo finishes and several close contests provided plenty of excitement.
We also welcomed a large group of owners from Elite Racing, with nearly 100 guests visiting the parade ring to see the horses.
It is always rewarding to give people that opportunity to get closer to the sport and appreciate the horses they have come to support.
Now, our attention turns to Thursday, October 29, when we bring the curtain down on another season of Flat racing at Bath.
We are hopeful of attracting some strong fields for the finale, as we traditionally do, although the current wet weather means we will need to keep a close eye on conditions in the run-up to the meeting.
It’s important to remember that the work does not stop when the racing finishes. The recovery period is just as important as the racing itself, and we will use the off-season to carry out the necessary work to ensure the track is in the best possible condition for next year.
There is another exciting element to our final fixture, too, with the announcement of our inaugural Ride of the Year winner.
The award was introduced following a suggestion from the Professional Jockeys Association, and we shortlisted five outstanding rides from the season before inviting our annual members to vote for their favourite.
The nominees are Kieran Shoemark on Azure Angel, Joe Leavy on Dappled Light, Myla Coppins on Moon Over The Sea, Finley Marsh on Blue Hero and Millie Wonnacott on Toolatetonegotiate.
Each ride had something special about it, whether it was a perfectly timed challenge, a determined finish or an impressive recovery from a difficult position.
The winning jockey will be presented with a prize on Thursday, and we look forward to celebrating their achievement.
With half-term coinciding with our finale, children go free when accompanied by an adult, making it a good opportunity for families to come along, watch the racing and visit the parade ring to see the horses.
Kids love seeing horses. It’s as simple as that.
There is still limited restaurant availability for anyone wanting to enjoy our final raceday with a meal, so there is time to make a booking.
Beyond the track, preparations are also continuing for our autumn and Christmas events. Our Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer drone light show on November 21 is already sold out, while tickets for Fireworks Night on November 6 are selling well.
For now, though, we are looking forward to one last afternoon of racing at Bath, and hopefully a fitting end to the season.
