FERTILISERS AND CHEMICALS
Fertilisers with staying H
By Emma Kilby, ICL Equestrian Specialist
orse racetracks are a unique turf type in the sports turf world and they require a specialist approach, especially when it comes to nutrition. If we are to create safe and uniform turf that is able to survive under the huge forces placed upon it then we need to use specialist materials that are designed for the job. Controlled Release Fertilisers are ideally suited for use on horse racetracks. They are specifically designed to release their nutrient at an optimal rate for healthy turf growth for up to six months and they are durable enough to remain intact and releasing even under the thunder of hooves. Because CRF’s are by far the most efficient type of fertiliser they are becoming ever more relevant with the increase in racing fixtures and with more horses running than ever. Horse racetrack turf needs to be able to stand up to huge forces and relentless wear and tear and to achieve this we need to utilise the efficient nutrition release that CRF’s provide. Each racecourse has its own characteristics, some will be flatter whilst
58 | Turf Matters | MARCH-APRIL 2021
others contain undulations and a stiff climb to the finish. One of the key requirements of the racing surface is to provide a safe and fair racing ground which needs to be as uniform as possible. A great deal of the maintenance programme is involved with creating uniformity and this may involve aeration, nutrition, water management, soil amendment and even reconstruction. The action of the horses galloping and
jumping can exert extreme downward and lateral forces especially in the take-off and landing areas of the fences and so the surface needs to be resilient AND deeply rooted to remain stable under these immense forces. To achieve resilience and rooting we need to integrate mechanical aeration, water management and good nutrition. Quick turf recovery, the maintenance of a dense sward with