OVER THE YEARS I’ve been a regular visitor to Downpatrick Racecourse when I used to work as a press photographer, and it’s fair to say I loved nothing better than the adrenaline thrill of trying to bag a great action shot as horse and jockey sailed over a steeplechase fence at close to 40mph.
Those were the days when I raced up the two- furlongs home straight at the end of every race to get into the parade ring before the winning horse entered the winner’s enclosure to grab a few photos of the winning connections and a quick interview with jockey and trainer.
Now heading towards eight years since I left my job as staff photographer for the Down Recorder I was delighted to be asked to cover Ladies Day in an official capacity for the track on the final bank holiday of the summer last week. A lot of water has flowed under the bridge since 2017, most of it carrying me to a career I sometimes have to pinch myself for, grateful to be doing something I love while visiting amazing venues and being challenged to visually record what happens in front of my eyes through the realms of a digital camera.
The weather was a bit ‘middlin’ as they say in our parts but my prayers were answered to a large extent with the rain that eventually arrived coming just a few minutes after the Philip Rothwell trained Ricky Langford had won the last race at a big price (18/1), made all the better when ‘the wife’ let a yelp out of her as her £2 stake reaped a nice £36 return which was duly handed over the bar at one of Downpatrick’s finest establishments over the next few hours, while I headed home to get stuck into editing the days photos for the track’s Facebook page.
BE PREPARED
From a photography perspective it’s best when rain doesn’t interrupt the day. However, if it comes then you have to be prepared to enact ‘Plan B, Plan C or Plan D’ – as many plans as you can pull out of a hat to make sure you deliver images which the client can use to showcase a great day.
The ‘Royal Ascot’ vibes were certainly on show as race-goers of all shapes and sizes flocked to the course in their summer best to have a flutter on the nags, a few drinks, and a great day’s craic – this was the biggest event of the year at the track and there appeared to be plenty hoping their beautiful outfits would catch the eyes of the judging panel.
My luck was definitely in as a minute or so after entering the track I spotted a multitude of colourful dresses, hats and high heels in the winner’s enclosure, capturing smiles and selfies for social media. It was none other than the ladies from ACA Models including the current Miss NI, Hannah Johns, radiant in a stunning greeney-bluey dress (sorry the description isn’t a bit more informative!!).
I couldn’t miss the opportunity to get a few photos and managed to persuade Richard Lyttle and Ruth Morrison into a photo shortly after welcoming Hannah and her friends to the track. Both have been instrumental in the rising stature of Downpatrick in recent years, experts at what they do and passionate about making the racing experience the best it can be once you get through the gates.
Since those days when I could run two furlongs in just under a minute (I think!!) with a couple of cameras and a bag hanging off my left shoulder, the track has been transformed for the race-goer. Modern facilities bring in the punters and Downpatrick’s popularity is there to see in bucket-loads.
BANTER
There was style aplenty enjoying the bars, restaurants and racing vibes of the day, music belting out from the bar and Q-Radio playing popular tunes, with plenty of banter between the punters and the bookies. No matter where I pointed the camera there was something to capture with elegant dresses, and exquisite hairstyles the order of the day.
For a good few years now television presenter Pamela Ballantine has been a great supporter of the track and has become a firm favourite of the locals with her quick wit on the mic!! She led the way with her usual panache and cheeky ad-libs when interviewing the ladies and gentlemen who had made it into the ‘final five’, building the excitement up ahead of announcing the Ladies Day winner and a £2,000 cheque from sponsors My Pension Expert.
UNIQUE
Renowned as the ‘friendliest track in Ireland’ Downpatrick has something unique about it. Where else can you nab a jockey for a photo after a race and get close to your sporting heroes; find the perfect place to get close to the action and capture special memories for the family album, or get an autograph of your sporting hero?
Every time I take the camera out on a job the excitement levels take off – that feeling will never leave me as I search for pictures covering events up and down the country. When it does I will know it’s time to pack the cameras away but it was great to be back covering a big meeting at Downpatrick, and not having to run up that hill seven times in the process!!
If you’re running a great event and wish me to come along and record it, feel free to get in touch – I’d be delighted to hear from you!!
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