The hurdles races haven’t attracted the number of entries as seen in previous seasons, but president of the JRC Robin Rumboll says that he hopes they will be able to continue.
‘It’s true to say that this year the number of entries has been a little disappointing in the hurdle races and so what we must do is consult with the trainers and the owners because the track is there to put on whatever racing the owners want.
‘We’ll be looking for some assurance that if we do put it on there will be a reasonable number racing – we want a variety of horses to increase the interest and justify keeping these hurdle races.
‘We’ve always had one hurdles race per meeting and it may be that if there aren’t sufficient entries we would have to stop some of them.’ However, this is something that has been discussed in the past without action taken and with hurdle races already penned in for next year, there may not be an immediate concern that races will be scrapped.
But why is there a lack of hurdle interest? ‘Unfortunately, and I know for one as I own a hurdler which was injured right at the start of the season and had to withdraw, hurdlers are more prone to injuries.
Also, and it may just be a passing phase but most of the younger horses brought over to Jersey prefer to start off on the flat racing.
‘I’m interested in the jumping side of racing and I would be very disappointed if we were to stop it – I hope that interest will be shown and we will get more entries for next year.
‘This year we have had excellent entries in the flat races, numbers are up, and there are many more horses training in Jersey.
I’ve been delighted with the quality of racing – we’ve had some really excellent and exciting finishes.
‘The season has been very good and I’m hoping to round it off with a cracking meeting on Monday.’
