Freezing temperatures play havoc with meetings – but the show goes on
As Britain’s cold spell continues and much of the country experiences heavy snow and minus temperatures, the racing calendar has been diminished by a string of abandoned meetings.
A handful of all-weather fixtures have survived so far this week, but in racing yards the show must go on for trainers and stable staff.
Here, the PA news agency looks at how stables across the country are coping as Storm Darcy takes hold.
A wintry scene! ❄️
The @MikeBellRacing string head down Newmarket high street this morning! 🐎
🎥 @davidmilnesHQ pic.twitter.com/ikrICcYsWX
— Champions Series (@ChampionsSeries) February 8, 2021
In Newmarket, Michael Bell’s string look in good order as they trot down the high street and head to the gallops.
Another cold one! Wintery scenes at Kinneston this morning, top marks to the team making it in and ensuring 45 horses have a canter in the snow #kinneston #racehorses #winter #snow pic.twitter.com/sWj2xAnmOn
— Nick Alexander (@kinneston) February 9, 2021
Nick Alexander’s snow-covered Fife yard on Tuesday morning.
The Snow looks set to stay for a while in Newmarket as we head out on the hill #teamwork #wekeepgoing #winterwonderland #racingwith #eddunlopracing pic.twitter.com/FCjmFvTFIA
— Ed Dunlop Racing (@EdDunlopRacing) February 9, 2021
Ed Dunlop horses working on the Jockey Club-maintained gallops in Newmarket.
Good morning everyone, keep warm. pic.twitter.com/u3Ne0t45aZ
— Tim lane (@TglaneLane) February 9, 2021
An image shared by National Stud manager Tim Lane of the great Mill Reef’s statue on the snowy grounds of the stud.
The view over the first yard this morning pic.twitter.com/ZhZ4wOsOcW
— Jonjo O'Neill (@JonjoONeill) February 8, 2021
The scene at Jonjo O’Neill’s Cotswold yard.
The snow is back again 🤦🏻♂️ Juriste with Victor 🐎 @MeganDentPhoto pic.twitter.com/Kk8smm22yz
— Philip Kirby Racing (@PKirbyRacing) February 9, 2021
Phil Kirby’s Juriste braving the elements in North Yorkshire.
No snow days in this job……Flaming Glory (Abby) and Hardie’s Hill (Gary). pic.twitter.com/UVn0KHGBK2
— Katie Scott Racing (@K_scottracing) February 9, 2021
Two of Katie Scott’s horses, Flaming Glory and Hardie’s Hill, plough through the snow in Galashiels.
A short film clip to warm us up on a cold morning @NewmarketGallop as #TurnOfPhrase follows @Roy__Rocket up Long Hill. pic.twitter.com/2Bz30TVXPM
— John Berry (@JohnWathenBerry) February 9, 2021
A frozen Newmarket from horseback, as seen in a clip shared by John Berry.
Smiling in the snow ❄️👍 @WilliamsStuart @horses_training pic.twitter.com/Hs8u5EgXag
— LorenzoAtzori (@LorenzoAtzori2) February 8, 2021
Two of Stuart Williams’ string riding through the snowfall.
The scene at Harry Whittington’s Wantage base.
New galleries are live from today’s shoot in the snow. Lots of shots from both sides of the gallops. https://t.co/oexXvfGZWh #horsesintraining #snowday #racehorsephotography pic.twitter.com/jqJWCPjsV8
— horses-in-training (@horses_training) February 8, 2021
Pictures shared this morning from Newmarket as horses from various yards head to the gallops.
❄️ A bit of snow wont stop horses being exercised in Newmarket ! ❄️ pic.twitter.com/Asgt7sEJJp
— The Racehorse Lotto (@RacehorseLotto) February 8, 2021
More scenes from Newmarket as horses climb Warren Hill in the snow.
Shout out to all the stable lads and lasses out there in the freezing conditions . Tough breed , still smiling 🥶 Jungle Prose @Ibootink . Plumpton abandoned! pic.twitter.com/QXOj91fURY
— Nick Gifford (@GiffordNick) February 8, 2021
Nick Gifford thanks his staff for keeping things going in the freezing conditions.
Want to express sincere gratitude not just to our incredible,committed team but to all stable staff who work tirelessly sometimes in the most horrendous conditions. pic.twitter.com/IkA9zo0mv8
— Jedd O'Keeffe (@jeddokeeffe) February 9, 2021
So too does Jedd O’Keeffe, who shared an image from his Middleham yard.