Welcome boom in racecourse attendances forecast to extend into new year

The uplift in racecourse attendances over the festive period is a trend that is expected to continue into the new year, with Lingfield reporting on Wednesday that advanced sales for next weekend's three-day Winter Million Festival are well ahead of last year.

There was more good news from across the industry, with Jockey Club Racecourses noting an increase in early interest for the Grand National meeting and Ascot revealing a higher than usual number of applications for the royal enclosure for what will be the first Royal Ascot of King Charles's reign.

Racecourse attendances have been in decline in recent years, with 2022 almost certain to have recorded a total annual figure below five million for the first time in 25 years – outside of 2020 and 2021 when the majority of racing took place behind closed doors due to the Covid-19 pandemic.