GUERNSEY’S increasingly popular annual L’Ancresse race meeting has huge tourism potential for the island. And it could tap into a niche breaks market of racing lovers worldwide, according to UK horse commentator Mark Johnson.
‘The great thing about it is that Channel Islands racing has really caught the imagination of racing people all over the place,’ he said.
‘There is a little sub-culture of racing fans who like to visit a racecourse once in their lives. It’s a little niche market that Guernsey will be able to grab hold of over the years. That is the strength of the meeting and racing breaks have become very popular across Europe and even America.
‘If I were a member of the tourism committee it’s something I would be pushing for. It’s a niche that should not be underestimated and they should put it in all the brochures.
‘What a great way of kick starting the domestic tourism season,’ he suggested.
‘There is scope for development. Do you add a couple of races on to the card or go for another meeting later in the year?
‘Part of it is its charisma and saleability,’ he said.
Johnson, who has covered all the big races, including the Epsom Derby, Grand National and Cheltenham Festival, is a pundit on TV’s popular Channel Racing UK.
He commentated on the Guernsey meeting last year and is flying to the island tomorrow to repeat the feat.
‘It’s different - it’s a unique race meeting - it’s a one-day-a-year event,’ he said.
‘They tend to have a very special place within the community.
‘I got a tremendous feeling last year that Guernsey went to the races. For a lot of people this was one of the days of the year, which added tremendously to the atmosphere.
‘Quality-wise it’s not the greatest race meeting in the world but it has its place. The other great thing is we have such a strong team coming over from the UK.’
This year coverage will be in the bible of horse racing, The Racing Post.
Johnson also mentions the event regularly on national TV.
‘No professional is going to say it’s an Epsom Derby or Grand National but the quality of the horses this year is much better, with some in serious form,’ he said.
It will be the Channel Islands’ richest-ever race meeting - with about £14,000 prize money.
‘The prize money, although not in the stratosphere of a Cheltenham or an Aintree, is still decent,’ stressed Johnson.
‘It has caught the imagination of UK trainers without a shadow of a doubt.’
He urged organisers, though, to increase the possibilities for the popular event slowly.
‘As long as the money is there, you will attract trainers from the UK and France.’
Article posted on 5th May, 2007 - 12.00am
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