POV: The Racecourse That Doesn’t Fleece The Punter (Stephen Darbyshire)

In our DAILY column POV – Races Now expert, betting ring regular, and recent #BettingPeople interviewee Stephen Darbyshire on how one racecourse is setting a model for others to follow…

---

Nothing is certain except death and taxes said Benjamin Franklin. It’s hard to disagree with our taxes now, the highest since World War II. We all know Keir’s dad was a tool maker, quite literally in fact. However, this is not a political broadcast. It’s merely an observation that people’s disposable income is vanishing quicker than a Gary Wiltshire’s bank balance on the magnificent seven day.

Racecourses have milked the udder dry in the cow. I need not name them, but a cursory glance at some ticket pricing is eye-watering and has been for some time. Baffled racecourse bosses, zit faced, fresh out of university act in bewilderment as to why people do attend. But thankfully, there is one racecourse that has consistently put its customers first.

Hexham is rightly badged Britain’s most scenic racecourse. Set high above the Northumberian Hills at High Yarridge, it is a pleasure to attend. Looking out over the sunlit uplands, I have concluded they can scatter my ashes there.

They have wisely kept a sensible pricing structure as below:

Admission prices are:
Advance, purchase up to the day before racing
Paddock £12.00
Senior: £10.00
Club: £20.00

On the day:
Paddock: £15.00
Senior: £12.00
Club: £23.00

Prices have remained the same since taking over in March 2016, with the exception of the advance, which was introduced 3 years ago. Attendance remained relatively stable since taking over slight increase in 2024.

There was a sense of trepidation when the Hexham Auction Mart bought the racecourse in 2016 but thankfully cool heads have prevailed. Lynn Clemitson managed the racecourse from 2000 to 2016 and thankfully has worked there on a part time basis since.

Hexham’s mantra is about customer service. They have the setting, they not need to milk the working person. Their staff base is experienced, they know their customers and have kept admission prices down. In today’s climate, a static nature in attendances is good. They don’t need some jobsworth equalities officer or the like and their wage bill, in part, means admissions can be kept low.

They also invest in prize money.

Apart from NH Flat races at £6,500 and Hunter Chases at £8,000 for Heart of all England and another Hunter Chase at £5,500, minimum prize money offered on all class 5 Hurdles and Chases £9.000.00. This helps to increase field sizes.

It’s not that difficult. Don’t rip the customer of,f and rewards will follow. The more people who come racing, the more will follow it. There is no need for namby-pamby faux marketing campaigns or over-inflated packages. There is a need for a value day out for racing to thrive. Racing is lucky to have Hexham, if you haven’t been yet go. It’s the cheapest racecourse in the land, but also the best.

Hexham race this Saturday, and eight days later. Ticket prices from £12.

---

Views of authors do not necessarily represent views of Star Sports Bookmakers.

Have a point of view? Email us at content@starsportsbet.co.uk!

---

STAR PROMOTIONS