RACE, BUSINESS AND POLITICAL AMBITIONS OF BOOTHBY

Towcester promoter Kevin Boothby is prepared to stage Friday and Saturday evening meetings without a media rights deal as soon as Government eases restrictions on crowds.

He said: “At the moment it is impossible to make plans, but given the size of this place, you could comfortably socially distance a thousand people. To make it pay, we would probably need 600.”

Boothby’s plan would involved charging admission, re-opening the restaurant, but would also be dependent on a working tote.

He said: “That is all in hand. People are now back at work and we can finally start to get things moving.”

 

There has been some speculation on social media that the new Towcester racing circuit unfavourable to wide runners.

Boothby said: “They were saying that after one meeting. The following meeting there were two traps sixes, and a trap five with only one winner from trap one.

“We’ve had two injuries to date. One was a compound fracture at the bend, the other was a dog at the pick-up.”

Mark Wallis has confirmed that Coolavanny Messi suffered a fractured skull at Sunday’s meeting.

He said: “He must have been 15 lengths in front at the pick-up and another dog ran into him. A pure accident. He has been operated on but at this stage we don’t know whether he can ever race again.”

 

While action has been limited on the greyhound business, the rest of the site is gradually returning to life with some interesting new additions.

Boothby said: “We have rented out the Champagne Bar and second floor of the smaller grandstand to a company with a number of Indian cuisine restaurants in the area. They are very successful but want to put on a ‘high end’ facility. It will be open from 11am until 11pm.

“They are spending £60K on refurbishment and the plan is that is would be available to greyhound customers on race nights.”

The Jockeys Room is also to return as a tea and coffee shop while the workshop is being taken over by a company trading in classic cars while the drive-in cinema is due to open next week. The aim is to create ‘a small village feel’ on the 320 acre site.

Boothby added: “In the last few days we have agreed a deal with a hugely successful established company who specialise in water activities. The lakes will be used from the end of July for a variety of different sports.

“This is a big site with scope for a wide variety of activities, none of which will hamper greyhound racing, but many will bring the sport to a wide audience.”

 

Boothby has previously refused to engage with the Race Course Promoters Association but plans to rejoin prior to the organisation’s elections in December.

It is the RCPA who forward their candidates for consideration for positions as directors of GBGB.

Boothby said: “I think there is a need for some fresh blood and new ideas. The industry has stalled badly and maybe its time that some of the current promoters stood down.

“I have been discussing it with a number of other track owners and Roger Cearns has set up the Federation of Independent Racecourse promoters.

“Myself, Roger and Dave Barclay from Harlow are directors and we hope to bring other tracks on board. The control of power on GBGB is too narrow at present and we would like to see fairer representation.”