It was a case of calling for the shoehorn to cram in all the cars that packed into Cartmel Park for the races on Bank Holiday Monday in August 1998.
“People with picnics were arriving as early as 10am and I’ve never known that before,” said course general manager Andrew Tulloch.
Attendance for the three-day meeting topped 32,000 – way above the anticipated 20,000.
The Thursday evening meeting attracted 3,798 patrons with 10,288 on the Saturday and 18,009 on Monday.
“We were lucky with the weather but the main thing was the nice atmosphere,” said Mr Tulloch.
“We want the course to remain as one where people can bring the family and feel relaxed about it.
“We had a great crowd and hope they all enjoyed the racing and the day out.”
The punter who went home happiest on Monday was probably the one who coupled 3/1 favourite Warring with 33/1 shot runner-up Barley Meadow in the last race and scooped the dual forecast pool, collecting £1,028 for a £1 stake.
Good weather and a strong field of runners drew the crowds to Cartmel Races in May 1997.
The fairground proved a popular attraction and the staff in the beer tent were kept busy quenching thirsts.
That season’s champion jump jockey Tony McCoy had two winners - Indian Jockey at 11/8 and Stylish Interval at 4/1.
The man he replaced as champion, Richard Dunwoody, also had a double - Daring Past at 8/11 and Slotamatique, who won by a distance at 5/6.
Gary Moore’s Middleham stable was left with the problem of having to keep one eye on the scales after their Bold Statement won the Sticky Toffee Pudding Novices Hurdle race, sponsored by the Cartmel Village Shop, which provided a tray of their famous pudding as part of the prize.
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