Dante Festival falls to virus hurdle but racecourse is staying positive

FOR MANY, the first racing meet-up of the season would have heralded a “sense of spring”, a chance to see old friends again after “six long weeks of winter” and trade gossip about the coming months’ sporting prospects.

And York Racecourse could have expected perhaps 40,000 people at Knavesmire for its Dante Festival this week.

With proceedings, which were due to take place from yesterday until tomorrow, cancelled because of the coronavirus pandemic, the site looks emptier than it should do – but head groundsman Adrian Kay continues to cut the grass anyway, in anticipation of a bumper 2021.

James Brennan, head of marketing and sponsorship, said: “The grass is still growing and he’s not letting it, even though we’re not using it in the way we would want to this time.”

Mr Brennan said that while he was mindful that the cancellation is a disappointment for race fans, but in the scheme of things it “stands quite a long way back in the queue”.

He said: “As an occasion for many people it did mean a sense of spring. It would normally have that sense of meeting up with friends you haven’t seen for six long weeks of winter.”

Depending on the weather, the course can expect a turnout of around 35,000 to 40,000 people at the Dante Festival.

“That’s a shame for the wider community,” he said, noting that York’s pubs, restaurants, hotels and taxi companies would usually stand to benefit from its major events.

However, the business has tried to play its part in spreading some positivity and has given away around 8,000 locally-grown pansies that were meant to be used at the festival.

“We gave them away to our neighbours,” said Mr Brennan.

Meanwhile, the Stableside part of the organisation, which usually provides accommodation for stable staff, has switched its focus to offer NHS teams a place to stay.

Some are isolated from their families by travel distance or their household has vulnerable people, so they need somewhere to sleep, have a meal and find a space to rest.

It would normally have that sense of meeting up with friends.

James Brennan, head of marketing and sponsorship at York Racecourse.

PICTURES: GARY LONGBOTTOM/PA. NOW AND THEN: Adrian Kay, head groundsman at York Racecourse, walks past the winning post with his dog Ollie. He and his team are still keeping the ground in tip- top condition, even though its Dante Festival, seen above right last year, has been cancelled.