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Pontefract crowned champion racecourse at Showcase Awards

Pontefract paddock: in use for an eight-race card on Sunday
Pontefract has been crowned Showcase champion

Pontefract has been crowned champion racecourse at the tenth Racecourse Association Showcase Awards at which tracks are recognised for showing "excellence and innovation" in customer experience.

The event was held at Hamilton Park on Thursday evening when the awards were presented by special guests Godolphin Stud & Stable Staff employee of the year Catriona Bissett and ITV Racing’s Chris Hughes.

In addition to being named overall champion, Pontefract’s Guinness World Record-winning Uniquely Yorkshire raceday won the Events category by creating the world’s biggest image of a whippet made up of racegoers.

The course's managing director Norman Gundill said: "We are thrilled to be named as the Showcase Champion Racecourse. To have been named as champion by a panel of expert judges and amongst our peers means the world.

"I believe that with Pontefract winning the champion accolade it shows that any racecourse can achieve great things with the right mindset. We're a proud member of Go Racing in Yorkshire and strive to give our customers the best day out possible. My thanks must go to my incredible team.

"Of all the awards the racecourse has won during my tenure, this certainly means the most. It's an evening we will never forget."

RCA chairman Maggie Carver said she was delighted Pontefract had been honoured.

She added: "This was an exceptional year for Pontefract, having been selected as finalists in three categories. Under the astute leadership of Norman Gundill and Richard Hammill, the racecourse has continued to develop and innovate.

"In 2019, with both an increase in attendance and racegoer satisfaction scores, Pontefract demonstrated an outstanding raceday experience for customers."

Yorkshire courses enjoyed a good evening with York named winners of the Racing Post Readers Award to celebrate customer service, the only award of the evening to be nominated by racegoers, as well as having the champion groundstaff team in the Racecourse Groundstaff Award.

The 2019 Best Campaign Award was won by Arena Racing Company and Doncaster for its family days, while Ripon’s green travel maps were a hit with the judges in the Spotlight Award.

Scottish courses were also among the winners with the hosts, last year's Showcase champion Hamilton Park, taking the Operational Excellence award.

There are four contenders in the hunt to run Musselburgh racecourse on behalf of East Lothian Council
Musselburgh: won best racecourse for Owners’ ExperienceCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Musselburgh was crowned best racecourse for Owners’ Experience, while the first Diversity & Inclusion Award was won by Scottish Racing and its partnership with William Hill and Alzheimer’s Scotland.

The Jockey Club also enjoyed a good evening, including the two awards for individuals.

The Chairman’s Award for Outstanding Contribution to Racing was given to Simon Bazalgette, who recently stood down as chief executive of the Jockey Club after 11 years at the helm, while Petra Gough of Sandown Park was honoured with the RCA Outstanding Achievement Award for her commitment to promoting racing at the venue.

Cheltenham made it back-to-back wins in the Food & Beverage category, while Aintree continued its outstanding record in the Racing Together Community Award by making it four wins in five years.

The Love of the Sport Award went to Salisbury and the Digital & Social Media Excellence Award was reclaimed by Goodwood.


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Bill BarberIndustry editor

Published on 15 November 2019inNews

Last updated 19:49, 15 November 2019

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