A "significant increase" in British racing's attendances has been reported for the first six months of '15, according to the GLOUCESTERSHIRE ECHO. The overall figure of 2,987,103 is "higher than the amount reached over the same period" in '11, the record year for attendances in the sport. These figures "indicate a rise of almost 300,000 on the same period" in '14. The average number of racegoers at each fixture sits at 4,184, an "8% increase on 2014 and again, higher than the record figures" of '11. Racecourse Association CEO Stephen Atkin said, "We believe that figures like this indicate that public's general interest in going racing is increasing. ... Evidence would suggest that hospitality sales at racecourses are increasing along with general economic growth of the country, and we have seen a series of record attendances at our major meetings in the first half of 2015. However, across the board, racing offers not just one of the best value days out in sport, but also an assurance of quality across Britain's racecourses as evidenced through the RCA's work with VisitEngland and Deloitte" (GLOUCESTERSHIRE ECHO, 7/15). RACING POST's David Baxter reported Tony McCoy's farewell tour before his retirement was "acknowledged as one of the contributing factors in a record number of racegoers attending fixtures." McCoy's retirement came at Sandown on April 25, and his long goodbye "helped boost crowd figures wherever he went" (RACING POST, 7/15).
DOWN UNDER: In Sydney, Nic Ashman reported an Epsom Handicap worth A$1M ($737,200) and a 10% reduction in training fees are "just two aspects of a big announcement made by the Australian Turf Club on Wednesday." The ATC has "boosted prizemoney" by A$2.26M ($1.7M) for 10 feature events over the spring and summer months. The Epsom Handicap, which had its value "doubled in the move, is joined by The Metropolitan, George Main Stakes, Spring Champion Stakes and Flight Stakes as the Group 1 races to receive additional funds" (DAILY TELEGRAPH, 7/15).
