For Guy Woodward, Head Groundsman at Warwick Racecourse, maintaining a safe and consistent racing surface is a year-round challenge. From heavy winter rainfall to prolonged dry spells, the demands placed on a jumps track require products that can be relied upon in all conditions.
That is why Mansfield Sand products have become an integral part of Warwick Racecourse's maintenance programme. Having used the company's materials throughout much of his career, Guy trusts Mansfield Sand's rootzone and fibre-reinforced products to help deliver the performance, drainage and recovery needed to keep the track in prime condition.
Guy's career in turf management spans almost three decades. After starting in racing at Sandown in 1997 as Assistant Groundsman, he progressed to Head Groundsman roles at Nottingham, Great Yarmouth and Newcastle before arriving at Warwick.
"It's the weather that's the biggest challenge," he explained. "We're either pumping water off or pumping water on to get a consistent racing surface. All the way through the winter we were battling huge amounts of rain, and then the taps turned off in March and we started watering."
To help manage these changing conditions, Guy relies on Mansfield Sand's 70/30 Sand Soil Rootzone during the winter months, and the company's 60/40 Sand Compost Rootzone throughout the spring and summer.
The 70/30 Rootzone Mix combines 70% premium silica sand with 30% screened topsoil to create a stable, free-draining growing medium, while the 60/40 Sand Compost Rootzone blends premium quality Mansil 40 silica sand with PAS 100 certified green compost, providing enhanced moisture retention and nutrient availability during the growing season.
"We use the 70/30 and the 60/40 after every race meeting," said Guy. "Our season starts in September, and we've just finished our last meeting. They're used for repairs after every race day, and on heavy ground we can use up to 50 tonnes."
The different characteristics of the two rootzones allow Guy and his team to adapt to changing seasonal conditions.
"The 70/30 Sand Soil is what I use in the winter because it doesn't hold moisture," he explained. "When the ground freezes, one of the problems you can have is repairs freezing into lumps, which can stop racing. The 70/30 Sand Soil is free draining, so it gives us better recovery and a better chance of racing in cold conditions.
"When I switch to the 60/40 Sand Compost, it holds moisture, which is exactly what you want in warmer temperatures. It helps retain moisture for seed germination and recovery, so it all helps the track recover faster."
Alongside the rootzone products, Guy has also been a long-term user of Mansfield Sand's fibre-reinforced materials.
"I've used the Fibresand and 70/30 Fibre Rootzone Landscape for many years, going back to my time at Nottingham and Newcastle," he said. "We use the Fibresand on footpaths and canter-downs, and in extreme conditions we'll repair problem areas with the 70/30 Fibre Rootzone Landscape to make sure we can continue to race.
When asked why he continues to choose Mansfield Sand products, Guy's answer is simple.
"It's the quality and consistency, It's always spot on. I've used products from all over the country and Mansfield has always been superior. There just isn't anything that can compare.
"With some products I have used in the past, you'd find stones, bits of debris, lumps of clay or weed seeds. Suddenly your track starts looking like a meadow. You don't get any of that with Mansfield products. They're weed-free and you know exactly what you're getting every time."
The dependable quality also helps improve efficiency for Guy's team.
"It definitely makes the lads' lives easier," he said. "Instead of having to sort through product or remove stones and debris, they can just get on with the job."
Equally important is the confidence that materials will arrive when required, particularly during a busy racing season when repairs need to be completed quickly.
"You can rely on it," said Guy. "Whenever you need a delivery, it turns up. There's never any doubt that you're going to get what you need, when you need it."
After many years of using Mansfield Sand products across several racecourses, Guy has no hesitation in recommending them to others.
Reflecting on the relationship, he added: "Mansfield Sand has been there as long as I've been doing the job and it's always been a very, very good product. If I've got any questions to ask, my rep Louise Barrington-Earp is always there. She's brilliant."
For Warwick Racecourse, where track quality and safety are paramount, the combination of product performance, consistency and dependable service continues to make Mansfield Sand an essential part of maintaining racing standards throughout the year.
For more information, visit www.mansfield-sand.co.uk, follow them on X at @MansfieldSand, or connect on Facebook and Instagram at Mansfield Sand Sport Surfaces.
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