Marshalling his troops - Pitchcare

“We’re not just talking about growing grass, we’re talking
about ensuring that the surface is safe for the horses. We
always aim to provide the best possible racing ground”
the Multigreen, which releases nutrients
from April to August.” Go Green
granules are applied during the winter to
harden the turf and prevent disease. “We
want the fine turf in these areas to come
into spring in the best condition
possible,” explains Newmarket’s Estate
114
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Manager.
Newmarket is built on a silty clay loam
soil, with approximately two feet of top
soil above a chalk brash. “It’s extremely
free draining,” Alan confirms, “and all
the courses require extensive irrigation
during a dry spell in order to maintain
acceptable moisture
levels.”
This means more long
hours for Newmarket’s
groundstaff who could be
working from 5.00am to
midnight. Alan uses two
Briggs booms, a 50 metre
boom on the home
straights and a 30 metre
boom on the Beacon
Course. Newmarket has
its own reservoir, fed
from a bore hole, and
Alan receives bespoke
weather forecasts from
John Kettley.
“We need as much
information as possible,”
Alan continues. “We need
to be aware of the
impending weather which
is, of course, vital
information and will
dictate how we manage
the courses. We’re not
just talking about
growing grass, we’re
talking about ensuring
that the surface is safe for
the horses. We always aim
to provide the best
possible racing ground.”
Last year, Suffolk
suffered its coldest winter
for thirty years. “We
experienced a significant
amount of die back, with
the native grass species on the Rowley
Mile most badly affected,” Alan recalls.
“Sharp frosts persisted well into April
and early spring growth was minimal.
Temperatures may have risen to 15
degrees during the day, but were
consistently falling below zero at night.
We had to remove the die back and
direct drill several areas.”
At least the weeds were slow to appear
- Alan finds that Cabadex helps control
Speedwell - but, having to deal with the
consequences of a particularly cold and
late spring, whilst preparing for the first
Classics of the year, the 2000 and 1000
Guineas, hosted during the first weekend
in May, must have put yet one more
burden on Alan and his eleven
permanent staff.
In two months time, when the last race
of the autumn season has run, the
pressure should lessen and the team can
get on with their aeration programme.
“We’ll utilise either a slit tine or Blec
Agitator on each of the courses. This
machine has 1 inch diameter tines that
work to a depth of 8 inches,” Alan
explains. “The fissures in the soil created
by the Blec are further enlarged by hard
winter frosts.”
The Rowley Mile, the Beacon and the
July Course will lie fallow, replenishing
their resources in age honoured style.
And what of the horses, those world class
international sprinters? They’re no doubt
racing off to other, warmer parts of the
world. With any luck, sometime between
October and March, Newmarket’s Estate
Manager and his valiant team will be
doing the same.
Headland Amenity at:
www.headlandamenity.com
or email:
info@headlandamenity.com