November is here, and with it the quieter winter months in German gallop racing have begun. Racing will be on the back burner until March. Even though the final dates have not been announced yet, it has already leaked out that the sand track in Dortmund will probably only hold races twice a month in January and February, and one day in December has already been cancelled.
There will be no more grass track races apart from the Mülheim Christmas date after the Baden-Baden December race day (3.12.). But we ask ourselves, why? The stables would certainly follow suit. The increasingly mild winters would hardly be an obstacle. Long periods of frost have become very rare, especially in North Rhine-Westphalia.
In any case, at the end of October, with temperatures above 20 degrees, one almost felt reminded of spring. Climate change is becoming increasingly noticeable. The calendar of German gallop races should also adjust to this. A track with regular grass track races in winter alternating with sand track racing in Dortmund, that would have a certain charm. Mülheim or Cologne would be suitable locations.
You always hear about fears of ruining the track, but two racing days a month wouldn`t be too much of a problem. It`s just important that the weather is not weaned away if you almost don`t hold races in winter. Otherwise people will turn to other countries or even take a break. And that should be avoided. A regular and varied programme - that`s what we want! At least for the winter after that, because it`s coming for sure.
