AT THE time of writing the dry Summer and Autumn continues into the Winter season and months, although significant rainfall is forecast for later this week.

Across the country groundstaff have been challenged with watering for a prolonged period much longer than usual and our small team of three groundstaff have done a terrific job at Hereford.

The 4,000m3 reservoir is now complete which has enabled us to water the track more, however even with the watering regime the ground currently remains on the faster side. Hopefully this week’s forecast rain materialises and the ground will soften, enabling the real Winter horses and stars of the sport to start running.

It was good to see local rider and Champion Jockey Richard Johnson have a double at our fixture on Monday, which puts him in a strong position to retain The Verzon House Leading Jockey Award this season for a third consecutive time, although it is very early days.

For those that might not have made the cut as a professional jockey, but would like to experience the thrill, exhilaration and adrenalin rush of race riding, we will soon be announcing an exciting opportunity for riders to apply for a place in our inaugural Charity Race which will take place at our last fixture of the season on Tuesday, March 26. Watch this space for more details soon.

Before then, there is much to look forward to with racing again on Tuesday, November 13, when we will be doing what we do best – staging competitive grass roots jump racing to a loyal and knowledgeable crowd.

We then look forward to Countryside Raceday on Wednesday, November 28, when there is plenty for everyone.

We have a heated Shopping Village to come and start your Christmas shopping, parade of hounds, riding displays from Retraining of Racehorses and Hereford RDA, a vintage tractor display and try your hand at fly fishing as well as the hilariously entertaining quack pack duck herding demonstration.

All this before racing starts at 12.35pm.

The theming of the fixture is new to us and we very much hope that the attractions and entertainment on Countryside Raceday will draw another bumper crowd like we have been enjoying this season.

All roads then lead to Christmas Jumper Raceday, our biggest of the year, when we look forward to many local people joining us for their annual visit to Hereford Racecourse.