Sport of Kings in princely health at Les Landes

Tuesday 13 September 2016

Les Landes has enjoyed “one of our best seasons” following an 11% increase in the number of horses racing at the picturesque Jersey course.

Jersey Race Club President Tony Taylor said it has been a season of continual growth for Les Landes, with prize money also on the rise.

The final meeting of the year on Sunday was for Jersey’s richest ever prize, with Jazzy Lady winning the £5,000 cheque in the Fir-Pine Development Hurdle over two and a quarter miles. 

Mr Taylor says there are plans for a permanent stewards and course commentator position towards the rear of the member’s stand and other improvements for Les Landes will be considered over the winter months. 

He said: “The stewards and commentators are currently housed in a temporary raised structure and we would like to change that, but it is all down to money. 

“We have enjoyed one of our best seasons at Les Landes and all the signs are very encouraging. 

“We have increased the number of runners in the last two years by 11% which is very healthy. We have had slightly fewer UK-based horses coming over but I suspect that is because of the unreliability and lack of frequency of the Condor Ferry service. 

“We lost the Easter Bank Holiday meeting in March because of the poor weather as the ground was far too wet for our tight corners, but we added another meeting for the middle of September and we had a very good crowd on Sunday, with around 200 diners in the member’s marquee. 

“Sunday was terrific as it included our richest ever race with £5,000 up for grabs for the winner and £6,000 overall. That was a huge success as it was such a close race with Fourni running Jazzy Lady very close. 

“Prize money for regular races has been £3,000 and we managed to get 43 out of 45 races sponsored. Two years ago 14 were not sponsored, so we are heading in the right direction. 

“Overall, I think the really obvious improvement has been the number of horses competing as we used to have three horses in a race pretty frequently. That isn’t really happening any longer, which is much more exciting for race-goers.” 

Mr Taylor says gates have been strong this season, with prices fixed at £10 per adult. 

“I think that is really good value for money as under-18s are free, which means a family or four can come with their children for £20 and see five high class races over several hours. 

“We would always like more people to come racing. We have a fairly limited audience as our spectators tend to be mainly from the Island, with a few tourists coming along. I’ve yet to hear anyone who comes to Les Landes not be taken away by the scenery, which is stunning. 

“Our course is on the edge of a cliff and it can take a bit of a battering in the winter. It means our upkeep is fairly high and our margins are very tight. 

“I do believe the quality of the races has definitely improved and two years ago UK-based horses were winning everything in sight. This season, of 45 races, only ten were won by UK-based horses, which shows the quality is there in Jersey. That is extremely good news.”