It is exciting to think that we are now only days away from the resumption of racing at Wincanton with our first fixture behind closed doors on the 15th October.

The Grounds team have worked hard through the summer months to be able to ensure the track and stables presents itself in a really good place for our season opener, while of course keeping up with the demands of a busy golf course especially since Lockdown measures eased.

We have completed the fence re-builds and they are looking magnificent. The turf has had an autumn feed and we are making finishing touches to the layout in the final days ahead. This includes laying out some new running rail as part of our wider improvements each year to the equipment.

We have had 20mm of rainfall in September, with only four days this month having had more than 2mm in 24hrs, therefore our Ground remains quick at the time of writing this update. There is more rainfall due in the first days of October so we will continue to monitor conditions on track, and we will now update participants with Turf Trax going maps for the first time at Wincanton.

There are some new changes, we have fortunately been able to refurbish our horse walk from the saddling boxes, through to the track which includes the unsaddling area. This is now a new wood-chip surface with improved drainage, after last season it became quite a challenging area to manage and keep dry underfoot. We have also widened the unsaddling area from its original layout, so this will be a much larger area to wash down the horses.

Race planning for Programme Book three has now been published, with eight minor amendments to races run last season up until Boxing Day as part of our optimum race planning to continue to achieve the exciting and competitive races we are known for. We will also be encouraging everyone to support the series of hunter chases again this season, with a dedicated area on our website shortly due to be launched detailing the confirmed races.

Social Distancing measures on-site includes splitting the racecourse into sections; Green Zone will be for racing participants and Amber Zone for Owners, with suitable viewing arrangements and de-brief areas considered. There will also be a temporary changing room facility for up to 48 Jockeys, as part of our social distancing measures in the Weighing Room.

I’m looking forward to beginning racing again in Wincanton and wish everyone a successful Season.

Thank you for your continued support.