'There’s a real buzz and atmosphere' - participants give their views on Chelmsford's Saturday morning raceday

On the same day one of British racing’s oldest attractions was being showcased to millions with the 170th running of the Randox Grand National at Aintree, a new path was being forged for the sport at Chelmsford on Saturday morning.

Six fillies left the stalls shortly after 10am to compete over a mile and a quarter, the race being the first run at a morning meeting created as part of British racing's Premier initiative. Four more morning meetings are scheduled for 2024.

Around 1,000 people were on track to watch the first morning race under the new scheme, a contest which went the way of the Charlie Appleby-trained Winter Snowfall, who prevailed by half a length from Danielle – Godolphin pipping Anthony Oppenheimer in a contest worth £15,000.

Winter Snowfall's victory was a first in the Godolphin silks for jockey Saffie Osborne, who completed a double on the card when again scoring by half a length to land the mile handicap on the Matt Crawley-trained Local Music.

Osborne said of the early start: “For the jockeys it’s not that much of an issue as we'll be out of here by early afternoon. However, it puts a lot of pressure on the stable staff and the racecourse management having to be here earlier. 

Saffie Osborne: "It puts a lot of pressure on the stable staff and the racecourse management having to be here earlier"Credit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

“I know people who have had to set off in the early hours to get here when it usually wouldn’t mean a start like that. It’s putting pressure on, but as jockeys we understand why they are doing it.”

The proximity of Chelmsford to Newmarket made the early start less of an issue than it might have been for those looking after Winter Snowfall, according to Nikki Jones, Appleby’s assistant travelling head girl.

“It’s not a huge difference to us as we’re close to the course, but if we were going further afield – somewhere like Lingfield – it would have to be an overnight journey,” she said. “Lots happens before a race, it’s not just a case of turning up and running.”

In contrast, Jones said she would not be a supporter of extending the Sunday evening racing trial, which concluded last month after six fixtures run through the winter to determine whether extra revenue could be generated for the sport from betting during a previously empty period.

Jones said: “I think we’ve only had one runner at a Sunday evening meeting and I didn’t go to that one, but I wouldn’t be a massive fan – you’ve got to have the chance to have some time off.”

The earlier start was much preferred over Sunday evenings by other jockeys involved in the opening race.

Robert Havlin: favours early morning racing to Sunday eveningsCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

Robert Havlin and David Probert declared their preference for racing in the morning rather than Sunday evening, while Neil Graham, Chelmsford’s director of racing, said: “We’re pleasantly surprised by how busy it is, there’s a real buzz and atmosphere. There would be about 1,000 people here, including 180 from the Japan Racing Association, with both restaurants booked out.”

Documenting dominates

Documenting has done plenty since he was picked up for 1,000gns at the sales by trainer Kevin Frost, but racing in the morning was a new experience for him. However, it was one that seemed to suit the 11-year-old as he landed the feature 7f handicap at odds of 22-1.

Jack Mitchell, who rode Documenting, said: “I think I’ve earned some riding fees out of him over the years, but he’s a legend of a horse. He’s a terror at home and Jack, who rides him every day and led him up, got a black eye saddling him!

“He’s shown that the fire still burns, and hopefully he can have a good summer now.”

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