Adam’s day at the races

Adam Powers was treated to a day at the races for a feature in the Racing Post – but came away somewhat less than enthused.

The Sport Journalism BA(Hons) student enjoyed his visit to Brighton Racecourse and while to sport is among the best attended in Britain, he felt many of his generation would find it a tad too expensive (entrance was £18), and not engaging enough.

He told the Racing Post: “I don’t feel like there’s enough happening during a day of racing, especially when it comes to holding the interest of this millennial generation, it needs more to keep you going.

“We’ve been brought up in a world where we’re used to having everything quick – we’re not the most patient generation – so I don’t think it’s a great spectator sport to go and watch and I think that’s how people get into most sports. The fact you only actually get to see a small part of the race itself does not help either.”

He also found racing terminology such as a ‘novice auction stakes’ and a ‘fillies handicap’ confusing – he felt the terms needed debunking.

That said and as someone who confesses to being sports mad, Adam could see why the sport is enduring and why it offers massive scope for journalists: “I can see that there could well be so many beautiful stories behind each of these horses and it would be a really interesting process to follow.”

To read the full article, go to: https://www.racingpost.com/news/popularity-of-racing/lessons-for-the-sport-through-the-eyes-of-a-potential-supporter/291233

All photos courtesy of The Racing Post