00:00I'm joined now by Racecourse Director James Crespi. James, thanks for joining us this afternoon.
00:08We are under two weeks away to the start of the 2025 Festival.
00:14But when would planning for this particular event have actually started?
00:19How far in advance do you have to work?
00:22I would say the Monday after the last day of glorious.
00:27We sort of went early with our ticket sales just while it was fresh in everyone's mind.
00:34But it absolutely started the Monday after glorious.
00:39Because I suppose if you start then, there's plenty of time to make sure that absolutely every little detail is covered.
00:47And that's important, isn't it?
00:49The small details as well as the big things.
00:52Absolutely. I mean, we've been fortunate this year. We've had some new team members.
00:55We've got a new general manager who's came up from Revival and knows good but well.
00:59And she's, you know, as you mentioned that detail thing, which does make the difference here.
01:04It's at this stage now where we're going through all this sort of everything with fine tooth comb and making sure everything is as it should be.
01:12And like you said, that level of detail.
01:14But, you know, a big thing for us for this year as well was to talk about the race course in a different way.
01:20And, you know, particularly around our marketing campaigns, focus a bit more on the actual sport itself and the hard work that goes on.
01:28A lot of work around the site, not just now, but over the course of the year, I suppose, to keep it looking at its best.
01:33Absolutely. I mean, our main manager is, you know, she does an amazing job and a lot of the time because of where we are on the top of the South Downs, you know, we're very fortunate that it makes this place what it is.
01:44But you can't start a lot of that work until much later on in the year.
01:48You know, you put on a big event like this, there was always some sort of last minute changes or what have you.
01:52But now it's just really making sure we're across all the detail.
01:57Big push on a few, you know, last minute things.
02:01Say ticket sales are looking great.
02:03Probably not far away from sort of having to say, hurry up and book because a few of the enclosures are on a few of the gates.
02:09That's interesting what you say about ticket sales because there's been a lot of publicity nationally about some racing festivals and some courses really struggling to get people in through the gates.
02:17It can't be easy, but you seem to have, I don't know if it's fair to say you've sort of bucked that trend or you've certainly stayed away from a client.
02:26Yeah, I guess it's been, you know, I saw some figures that came out this morning from the industry and as a whole, I think the tendencies, and don't quote me on this, but I think we're about 4% to 5% up, you know, halfway through the year.
02:37Yeah.
02:38There were some festivals that didn't quite get there, but certainly Ascot had a good week and our ticket sales are encouraging.
02:45As I said, we're ahead of where we were this time last year.
02:48The last couple of days, you know, I wouldn't be surprised at all if we're having to remind people to hurry up and book.
02:55Yeah, there were certain days that do fill up.
02:57Yeah, a lot of work that you've done with the new marketing team this year has taken a very different approach to how we, not just with the narrative I mentioned about the message being a lot more about the sport this year, but actually how we spread that message.
03:09And, you know, it absolutely is about the sport, but it's absolutely about the glamour too and everything that goes with this.
03:16And on the personal level, will you get to see any of the racing during the week or will that pass you by?
03:21No, I seem to, I see a bit more these days than I used to for sure.
03:25And certainly, you know, the entries look great for this year, look very competitive.
03:30And I mean, you know, I don't think I'll ever do an interview with you where I don't mention Frankel.
03:37My sort of first year here and being able to see that incredible moment standing here actually and watching, you know, watch them come back in after the Sussex.
03:47Yeah.
03:48So you hope for seeing something like that every year and, you know, racing this year has been really competitive.
03:54And hopefully that carries on over the festival.
03:57And yeah, absolutely.
03:58This is, you know, the parade ring is the sort of heartbeat of the event.
04:02So I'll be sort of with Ed and, yeah, getting to see as much as I can.
04:06And just finally, a bit of a plug from you.
04:08If people are thinking about buying tickets, they should get on and do so perhaps.
04:12Absolutely.
04:13Sway is online.
04:14Yeah, no, online.
04:15We are fully digital this year.
04:17So it's an easier experience to buy.
04:19It's all, you download our app and buy tickets and they appear straight, straight in your...
04:24I would get my own book.
04:25It's going to be busy.
04:26Definitely.
04:27Yeah, good.
04:28Okay.
04:29Thanks for your time and good luck for the rest of the time.
