WARWICK Racecourse general manager Andre Klein looks ahead to the new season at the Hampton Street venue:
I WAS unaware the Act of Union was signed in 1707, uniting the Parliaments of Scotland and England for the first time.
This basically meant the creation of ‘Great Britain’.
Quite a landmark event.
I had my nose buried deep in form books not history books at school, so this landmark date passed me by.
I did know, however, that the very same year there was an act of union (of sorts) between horse racing and the town of Warwick.
Not far from where I am sitting a handful of enthusiasts for the new sport of organised thoroughbred racing were busy planning a day of entertainment for the good folk of the county town.
I am pretty much doing the same right now.
The long summer recess is over and on Tuesday, September 25 we open the turnstiles to welcome racegoers to the new 2018/19 season, getting underway with the Smarkets Racing UK Grand Season Opener.
We have a total of 19 meetings this season, with the last many months away on Wednesday, May 29.
It’s been a grand summer and we have made a lot of improvements around the racecourse.
There have been some enhancements that have enjoyed some good publicity.
The service road tarmacking has been a popular one with the locals who use the track for recreational purposes, the back straight drainage and the re-surfacing of the canter down to make it suitable for cyclists are other key completed projects.
In the customer areas we have had new screens for enhanced inside viewing in all areas, improved the comfort of the Winning Connections, and welcomed a new betting shop partner in William Hill.
My personal favourite has been the redecorating of the 1707 Restaurant, named in honour of the Act of Union (the racing version, of course).
The restaurant is a truly brilliant way to enjoy a day the races. It is well located and I can promise patrons a brilliant culinary experience too. We have room for 120 diners and on most days it is full.
It’s certainly well worth booking a visit for one of our fixtures this season.
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