Ludlow Racecourse fear losing the entire 2026-27 season because of the damage to its track caused by this summer’s hot weather.

After having to move the first scheduled meeting on 15 October to Worcester, 35 miles away, Ludlow have since had to cancel two further meetings.

Their next meeting is planned for Monday, 23 November but, before then, they face a visit from British Horseracing Authority inspectors on 12 November to determine whether they can race at all at the Shropshire course this season.

The issue is trying to replace dead grass and encourage new growth on approximately 25% of the quick-draining, gravel-based track.

Managing director Simon Sherwood is still hoping that the turf can recover – but he is also very much aware the course’s almost unique capacity to stay in raceworthy condition throughout many a wet autumn and winter may now prove its undoing.

“I’m hopeful,” Sherwood told BBC Midlands Today. “And I will remain hopeful right up until we have that meeting next week.

“When the grass came back in September, it was very noticeable that it only came limping back, rather than coming back in a flush.

“About 75% of the grass was coming back, but injured, while the other 25% of it had died.

“We are improving – but the days are getting shorter.”