FEAST your eyes on the delicious food pictured below. This was what was presented to all owners who attended the weekend of racing at Downpatrick on Saturday and Sunday.

It was part of a package of measures put in place by the racecourse manager Richard Lyttle and his team to welcome owners back to the northern track. Our own Leo Powell was on hand to get a tour of the facilities from Richard, and he was hugely impressed.

Owners

“The owners’ experience is vital now as we start to see their welcome, and overdue, return to the track,” Leo told Parrot Mouth. “Richard Lyttle and Downpatrick have always had a reputation for caring for owners, and now they have taken it to another level. Hats off to them.”

Leo tells us that one of his favourite racecourses in Britain is York, and pays a compliment to Downpatrick by saying that it has the same welcoming vibe. The team there pay attention to the smallest of detail, and this means that everyone who attends the racing, from officials to owners, sponsors to general staff, always speak highly of the experience.

Leo added: “When racegoers return in numbers they are in for a number of pleasant surprises. Richard hasn’t missed a beat during lockdown, upgrading and improving facilities and the offering available to everyone. I can’t wait to go back.”