Third meeting cancelled at Ludlow Racecourse after record-breaking summer

Ludlow Racecourse has had to abandon next week’s Farmers Day meeting as it continues to feel the effects of this year’s scorching summer.

It is the third consecutive winter meeting to be cancelled - following two fixtures in October as well - with staff at the course keeping their fingers crossed the grass grows in time to host meetings on November 23, December 2 and December 16.

Though the rain has arrived, it is still recovering from a summer of record-breaking temperatures that damaged the grass and killed it ‘in significant areas’.

A statement from the racecourse on Facebook read: “We are sorry to announce that, following an inspection of the course, we have taken the difficult decision to abandon racing on Thursday 5 November.

“This has been an exceptionally difficult year for the course. Following one of the hottest and driest summers on record, the prolonged conditions have resulted in significant areas of dead grass across the course. On our gravel-based ground, the recovery has been particularly challenging.

“Our team has been working extremely hard to address the situation, including watering, liquid fertiliser applications, verti-draining and reseeding affected areas. We have also sought expert advice throughout and followed the recommendations of our agronomists.

“Unfortunately, regrowth has been slower than we had hoped, and we now need to give the new grass time to establish properly before we can safely race.

“We want to reassure everyone that this decision is not through any lack of care or effort from the team. Every possible step has been taken to get the course back into racing condition, and that work will continue.”

Customers will be contacted with regards to refunds for Farmers Day, as the statement concluded: “We would like to thank all our members, customers, owners, trainers and supporters for their continued patience, understanding and support during what has been an incredibly challenging period for Ludlow Racecourse.

“We look forward to welcoming you back to Ludlow as soon as we are able to race safely.”