Arc to continue working with Nars after three tracks receive one-star ratings

Arena Racing Company (Arc) will continue to work together with the National Association of Racing Staff (Nars) to improve racecourse facilities for stable staff after three of its tracks were the only ones to receive one-star ratings in an annual review by the union.

Of Britain's 59 racecourses, 48 improved on the score they received in 2018 but the bottom four places were occupied by Arc courses, with Chepstow, Windsor and Worcester, the lowest ranked venue, all receiving one star out of five from Nars inspectors.

Each of the racecourses was assessed for overnight accommodation, day facilities, canteen and stable yard with a maximum score of 120 possible. Any track receiving a score of 70 or below was awarded one star, with Chepstow scoring 69.35, Windsor 64.75 and Worcester 59.83. Ascot, an independent track, topped the rankings on 106.92.

Mark Spincer, managing director of Arc’s racing division, said on Thursday: “We have a good working relationship with the Nars executive and appreciate their ongoing feedback on the facilities across our racecourses.

“We have been working with Nars and their team to improve in various areas of racecourse operation and facilities, and are pleased to see the majority of our racecourses increase their score from the 2018 report. Areas do remain that we will continue to address and plans are in place to do so.”

Overall, Nars pointed to positive progress from racecourses in their offerings for stable staff with seven tracks issued with one-star rankings last year. They included Plumpton, which earned a three-star review in 2019 having been the worst course in 2018 with just 41 points.

Plumpton: improved from a one-star track in 2018 to a three-star course last yearCredit: Getty Images

Stratford was the most improved racecourse moving up 34 places, followed by Hamilton which rose 31 places and Salisbury 25 places.

Nars chief executive George McGrath said: "The results we have published are to highlight the good work some racecourses have implemented both from a human and equine welfare perspective.

"Nars will continue to develop the racecourse ratings with a view to further seeking improvements where our members feel there is room for improvement."

In the conclusion to the report McGrath thanked clerks of the courses for their help and "valued contributions" to the inspectors' reports.

He went on: "We would also like to thank Jockey Club Racecourses for being among the first to recognise that staff going racing are worthy of a meal free of charge. We look forward to other racecourses following suit."

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