Ascot will shift its attention away from the glamorous but fickle Royal Enclosure and concentrate on its grandstand patrons as it tries to recapture the 40,000 who deserted this year’s royal meeting. Executives admit that the general enclosure, which accounts for the majority of the crowd, was the least successful last month and discounted ticket offers could form part of a marketing drive for 2008.
While this year’s meeting attracted only a fraction of the critical letters that Ascot received 12 months ago, many spectators left with the impression that those in the Royal Enclosure enjoyed disproportionate space and facilities, considering it is not dramatically more expensive than the general enclosure.
Nick Smith, head of public relations, told Diary: “The comparative pricing is an issue and we are working on a strategy for next year’s meeting. The Royal Enclosure and Silver Ring were big winners this year but general admission less so. We’re conscious we have to make that area better.”
–– Despite receiving a 12-month ban in the latest corruption case, Tony Culhane is unlikely to lose his seat on the council of the Jockeys Association. Had he been warned off, he would apparently have been asked to stand down immediately but the association takes the view that the lesser penalty of mere suspension entitles him to continue representing his peers.
Theoretically, Culhane could be among the jockeys included on a six-man interview panel charged with appointing John Blake’s successor as chief executive of the association. More than 30 applicants have been reduced to a shortlist and the post should be filled next month.
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–– Rumours persist that the Reuben brothers, new owners of the Northern Racing Group, will seek to take over its rival, Arena Leisure. Jockey Club Racecourses, at present the largest and most influential group, is alert to the threat and Andrew Coppel, its chief executive, says: “We will do whatever is necessary to protect our business. I’d be very surprised if a merger did not attract interest from the Office of Fair Trading.”
The theory that one or more courses must be shed if such a merger is not to provoke an OFT inquiry may be nourished when the 2008 fixture list is published. Diary understands that Hereford, one of the weakest venues in the Northern portfolio, has lost a third of its meetings and will race only ten times.
–– Despite the embarrassing abandonments at the neighbouring cricket ground, Worcester hopes to resume racing after flood damage next Wednesday. Subject to an inspection on Monday, an all-hurdle card is planned.