Earning his Spurs - Pitchcare

Ups on the Downs
Report by Tom James
This year’s unexpectedly severe cold
snap caused nightmares for
turfcare professionals right across
the country in all sports, leaving them
with little option than to sit tight and
wait for the thaw.
Racecourses were as badly hit as any
venues. Meetings were cancelled
throughout early 2010, largely because
trainers were unwilling to risk running
thoroughbreds on bone hard, icy tracks.
The UK’s racecourses have recovered
quickly though and are busy delivering
the summer calendar’s big meetings -
which don’t come much grander than
Epsom’s June outing. It’s an event
many see as one of the most colourful
of the season, drawing huge crowds
from across all sections of society as
well as a strong Royal following.
Epsom Downs racecourse, set in the
“There’s a place for figures
and science in the industry,
but you can’t always go by the
book, sometimes you have to
deal with matters as they
come up”
rolling hills of Surrey’s North Downs,
just thirty minutes from London, is one
of the oldest in the country, with a
history dating back to 1779 when the
first running of the Oaks was recorded.
Edward Smith Stanley, the 12th Earl
of Derby, organised a race for himself
and his friends to run their three-yearold
fillies over one and a half miles. He
named it the Oaks after his estate, and
the race is still going strong today.
The two biggest dates in Epsom’s
diary, the Oaks (Investec Ladies day)
on 4 June and the Investec Derby the
following day, require meticulous
preparation - beginning well
beforehand to ensure the eight hectares
of flat racing track are presented to the
highest standards, ready for the
120,000-strong crowd expected on
Derby day.
Nigel Whybrow, Head Groundsman, Epsom Downs Racecourse
Tasked with the roles of Gallops
Supervisor and Head Groundsman is
Nigel Whybrow who, along with his
team of eight full-time staff, look after
the full spread of facilities at Epsom,
including the track, three all-weather
surfaces (Fibresand and Polytrack) and
a training school, which keeps 160
horses from racing yards throughout
the area.
Now entering his fourth season as
Head Groundsman, Nigel took over the
role back in 2006 having been at the
course since 1994, when he joined after
leaving his assistant head groundsman’s
post at nearby Woodcote Park Golf Club
(see Pitchcare, issue 26).
“Woodcote Park was my first job after
leaving school at 16,” recalls the 42year-old.
“I ended up becoming
disillusioned with committees, having