Dry summer leaves West jump racing season in doubt
A dry summer has forced heavy watering at Salisbury and left Wincanton needing well above average rain, with some horses possibly kept from running.
The Full Story
A plain summary built from the channels that reported this story.
Racecourses in the West are warning that the dry summer risks disrupting the early months of the jump racing season. One official has said constant rain for the next few weeks is needed to make the ground soft enough, while a leading trainer says some of his horses may be prevented from running.
Salisbury Racecourse has stayed open throughout the hottest summer on record, relying on a borehole that draws water from an aquifer 400 feet below the ground. The course's manager said this has been the most watering he has done in 26 years. The summer months are the core period for racing there, with meetings every week or two, so the ground has had to be kept in good condition.
Further west, Wincanton Racecourse is in a more fragile position. The lack of rain is unmistakable, and officials say they now need rainfall in September and October to hugely exceed typical levels. One estimate suggests around 200 to 250mm, or 10 inches, is needed over the next two months. Without that, the ground may not be soft enough for jump racing.
The uncertainty is also affecting trainers. One leading trainer in the region has said some of his horses may be prevented from running if conditions do not improve. The problem is not just the current dryness but the longer term outlook. With hotter, drier summers and wetter winters expected, racecourses are considering options such as starting the season later or building larger reservoirs. Wincanton already has a small reservoir that only refills through natural rainfall, and there are discussions about expanding it.
Since the report was filmed, there has been a bit of rain and more is forecast in the coming weeks. But beyond that, uncertainty rules. For now, all eyes remain on the sky.
On screen
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Key Claims
Claims reported during this story's coverage, mapped by channel. Ordered by how many channels carried each claim.
| Claim | BBC One |
|---|---|
| A leading trainer said some of his horses may be prevented from running due to the dry ground. | |
| Salisbury Racecourse uses a borehole that draws water from an aquifer 400 feet below ground. | |
| Wincanton Racecourse needs approximately 200 to 250mm of rain in the next two months to make the ground suitable. |
Channel Perspectives
What each channel focused on, with key quotes.
The report focused on the local impact of the dry summer on two racecourses, contrasting Salisbury's successful use of borehole water with Wincanton's reliance on future rainfall. It also highlighted the trainer's concern and the longer term planning implications. The tone was factual and concerned, with a clear sense of uncertainty about the season ahead.
- “This is the most watering that we've had to do in my 26 years of being here.”
- “We're probably going to need a constant kind of wet period for the next two months now.”
- “Thankfully for Tom, since we filmed there's been a bit of rain and more is forecast in the coming weeks.”
Broadcast Timeline
News broadcasts tracked for this story, in time order.