'Disgraceful' - Windsor slammed for 'crap' food offered to stable staff

Inspecting racecourse facilities for stable staff – something halted during the pandemic – should help shame racecourses into improving standards according to Jemma Marshall, who was shocked and saddened by the food on offer at Windsor on Monday.

Marshall, who rides out and travels horses for Lambourn trainer Tom Ward, described the spread in Windsor's canteen as "disgraceful" and believes instances like this do the sport no favours when it comes to recruiting staff – something the industry is struggling with.

In 2020 Windsor – which brands itself 'Royal Windsor' – was ranked above only Worcester in a review undertaken by the National Association of Racing Staff (Nars), which has recommenced its inspection processes this year.

At the time, Mark Spincer – a senior figure at Windsor and Worcester's owners Arena Racing Company – vowed to make changes, but Marshall, who rode 73 winners during her career, feels standards have slipped.

"I'm starving!" Marshall joked when contacted on Monday night. "Things have taken a bit of a hit since Covid. Tracks have got a bit lazy, but the course inspections have started again so they'll soon pull their fingers out when the league table gets printed in the Racing Post.

"When the results came out before, racecourses were ringing up George [McGrath, Nars chief executive] and asking how they could improve. A lot took pride in it and wanted top spot. That's kind of died a little bit since Covid. Hopefully we'll get back there."

Jemma Marshall: chair of Nars's regional committee in LambournCredit: Edward Whitaker

Marshall, who started work at 5.45am on Monday, added: "I didn't have time to speak to anyone at Windsor, but I was going to sit down and write an email to the hierarchy and see what response, if any, I got. It was a raceday, so they're busy as well, so it's tough to make the point there and then.

"Apparently last week there was no sugar for the teas and coffee – just simple little things like that. I didn't know how long that bacon had been there, but it didn't look particularly appetising, while there weren't any chips because the fryer wasn't working.

"We've been up all morning and some people can't stop on the way because the horse on board might not like stopping or whatever. Everyone moans about Windsor. Arc tracks vary, but they're not the best.

"I'm lucky, I've only gone an hour up the road, it's the other guys who have come further. Why would you want to come racing if you knew you were going to get fed crap or not have proper facilities? I had a shower there and had to run round in it to get wet; the water pressure wasn't great, especially if someone comes in to use the loo. It's not 'royal' for us."

Ascot topped the table when the courses were ranked in 2020 and Marshall, chair of Nars's regional committee in Lambourn, added: "Tracks were embarrassed last time. York was near the top and did a massive refurb because they wanted to stay at the top."

Liam Johnson, Windsor's executive director, said: "We are sorry that Jemma was so disappointed with her experience. We aim to keep the complimentary food in the stable canteen replenished regularly throughout the afternoon but will, of course, make sure that the team focus on this going forward.

"Equally, we will be making more food available at the particularly busy times of the day or evening when working racing staff need access to it.

"We offer all working racing staff a voucher for a free meal and drink, with a cooked breakfast available, jacket potatoes with toppings and other cooked options as well as pastas and salads, all of which were also available."

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