Al Bahathri gallop re-opens after refurbishment
Polytrack gallop has been re-opened after two months.
The £500,000 refurbishment scheme not only included resurfacing through the laying of fresh Polytrack, it also involved levelling of the terrain to remove a dip near the six furlong pole.
Located on the Bury Side of town, the mile-long facility was the first waxed sand all-weather gallop to be laid at Newmarket when installed in 1985 and has been popular for many years with trainers, including Sir Henry Cecil, Sir Michael Stoute and John Gosden.
The facility was closed on October 31 to facilitate the works, for which 2,000 tons of soil was shipped in.
Colin Driver, Jockey Club Estates Gallops Manager for Bury Side, said: "The gallop is now a steady climb rather than being slightly undulating as before and the work has altered its profile. Everything ran to schedule and it was a big job with over 2,000 tons of soil needed.
“The initial feedback from jockeys, work riders and trainers has been very positive.”
To compensate for the closure, a grass gallop on Long Hill was opened while the refurbishment work was taking place on the Al Bahathri.
Economic impact study of Britain’s thoroughbred breeding industry
The Jockey Club updates today that having reviewed feedback from the “Playing our part in Newmarket’s future” consultation earlier this year, the concepts consulted on for the area known as “Racecourse Side” have been submitted for consideration as part of the ongoing West Suffolk Local Plan process.
After substantial consultation and discussion between interested parties, from 1st October 2022, a new turf Hack Canter on Walton Downs will be provided and maintained for leisure horse riders on Epsom and Walton Downs. This will replace the sand Hack Ride, which will permanently close from this date and be left to return to its natural state.