Arena courses join Rewards4Racing scheme

The number of meetings where Rewards4Racing points can be collected and spent is in for a major boost with Arena Racing Company set to join the scheme.

The 1.2 million members of British racing's rewards programme will now have the chance to earn points when booking tickets and hospitality online with Arc's 15 courses.

With more than 500 fixtures a year, Arc's addition to Rewards4Racing broadens the scheme's coverage to more than 850 meetings.

Having been launched by the Jockey Club, the addition of Arc brings together the two main racecourse groups in Britain. York is also part of the scheme.

Arc chief executive Martin Cruddace said: "We are delighted Arc's courses have joined Rewards4Racing.

"The programme works perfectly to reward racegoers and provides us with the chance to welcome them more often throughout the year and thank them for the support they show our racecourses, and the sport as a whole.

"We look forward to continuing to work with the Rewards4Racing team and their racecourse, betting and retail partners in the years ahead.”

Last year more than 170,000 tickets were purchased by Rewards4Racing members when redeeming their points, generating more than £6 million worth of advanced ticket sales for the programme’s racecourse partners.

Members also staked more than £1 billion during the year with the company’s three bookmaking partners bet365, Betfred and Coral, gaining points on every bet placed.

Rewards4Racing founder and director Josh Apiafi said: "It's really exciting to have Arc courses join the programme. It significantly expands the choice for our members on where they can redeem their points and we now have our first racecourse partners in the north-east with Newcastle and Sedgefield."

He added: "With the addition of Arc courses we are now moving towards our long-held ambition of being the rewards currency for all racegoers in the UK."