Fakenham Racecourse’s opening meeting of the 2024/25 season was abandoned after just one race on Friday after jockeys felt the ground was unsafe to continue racing.
It was a real body blow for Fakenham officials and for the large crowd soaking up the October sunshine at the course where the going was described as good.
Drama accompanied the opening £130,000 Prize Money @ Fakenham 1st January Novices’ Hurdle fittingly won by champion jockey Harry Cobden on a gelding successful at Great Yarmouth on the flat in the summer.
Trained by James Owen, Charging Thunder survived mayhem at the first flight when Gordon Grey unseated his rider and brought down Lord of the Glance. Before the second flight, Ronnies Rules appeared to slip and unseated jockey Ben Sutton. Eventually the evens favourite cruised home on his hurdling debut.
“He frightened himself at the first flight when he slipped into it. He slowly got his confidence back and did the job,” said a relieved Cobden.
After the contest, when several other jockeys said their mounts had slipped, a stewards’ inquiry took place along with an inspection of parts of the course. Sand was scattered in several areas, but an announcement followed saying that the remainder of the meeting had been abandoned.
David Hunter, chief executive of the racecourse and the clerk of the course, was clearly desperately upset as events unfurled.
“We have done absolutely everything possible to get this racing day on. All the jockeys and trainers were happy with the conditions beforehand.
“But following the first race several jockeys were very concerned about horses which appeared to slip.
“Ultimately, after an inquiry and inspection, some jockeys felt it wouldn’t be safe to continue riding. They are the ones riding and we must listen and act on what they say.
“I am so extremely sorry. Last year we had a rainstorm and had to abandon. Before racing everyone agreed conditions were perfect. But there were some slips. Now we must do what has to be done to ensure we can go ahead for the next meeting.
“At the end of the day the jockeys did not have the confidence that the ground was safe. We must take their views on board. It’s a desperate situation.
“We will do everything we can and work with the British Horseracing Authority to get things right,” he said.
“Nobody is more sorry than me and my ground staff. We are gutted,” he added.
Anyone who has a ticket from today can use it to attend any race meet either this year or during 2025 – just walk up to the gate and show your badge from today (each race meet is a different colour, so we know those from today).
If you would like a 50% refund and purchased e-tickets – please email info@fakenhamracecourse.co.uk with your name and order reference. If you would like 50% refund on your ticket and you paid at the gate – email a pic of your torn ticket(s) to info@fakenhamracecourse.co.uk and provide your name, telephone number, account number and sort code so we can action that manual refund back to your account.
