Aintree crowned as champion racecourse at RCA Showcase Awards

Aintree was crowned champion racecourse for a second time at the Racecourse Association's Showcase Awards on Thursday night.

The event, which celebrates excellence and innovation in racecourse operation, was taking place for the first time since 2019 due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Aintree had been nominated for three categories at the awards and won two of them, in addition to being named overall champion.

The track's NHS raceday was deemed the best raceday event by the independent panel of judges, while it also claimed the non-raceday event award.

The Jockey Club's north west regional director Dickon White said: "It's been a fantastic team effort. I'm really proud of the Aintree team but not just that, from a wider Jockey Club perspective as well we get so much support.

"It's not just about the people based at the individual racecourses, it's about a collective group effort and that's what's delivered these awards."

The awards were held at the previous champion racecourse Pontefract, which also picked up two awards in the marketing and food and beverage categories.

A total of 15 awards were handed out by hosts Amy Ryan and Malcolm Tomlinson, including the Racing Post readers' award, the only category voted for directly by the general public, which went to Hamilton Park.

Market Rasen’s sensory raceday claimed the award for diversity and inclusion, while Ripon took victory in the racing connection category for its work promoting stable staff.

Market Rasen: rewarded for its sensory racedayCredit: Alan Crowhurst

The new Racing Foundation green award went to the Jockey Club for its group-wide green strategy, while Scottish Racing took home the racing together community award.

The judges’ choice award, given for an initiative deemed worthy of individual praise, went to Doncaster for the course's hosting of the St Leger under the cloud of national mourning following the Queen's death.

Three awards for individuals were also presented, with Jeannie Chantler receiving the RCA chairman’s prize. As part of the racecourse groundstaff awards, the Neil Wyatt lifetime achievement award was presented to Brian Meikle of Kelso, the most improved new team member was Warwick's Luke Randall and Cartmel was named the overall champions.

RCA chairman Wilf Walsh said: "This was an exceptional year for Aintree, having been selected as finalists in three separate categories and winning two of them. Victories in both the raceday and non-raceday events demonstrate the versatility of the racecourse and the agility of the team in executing them so superbly.

"In what has been a challenging year for racecourses, I was buoyed by the quality of the initiatives on show. In addition to our winners, the judges saw fit to award four highly commended accolades which is testament to the hard work of racecourses in doing all they can to attract and retain customers.

"The RCA will share the best practice arising from this year’s Showcase Awards amongst all racecourses in the year ahead."

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