RCA

The Racecourse Association insists it remains "committed to being a positive advocate for the sport" following Ascot's announcement it intends to leave the organisation at the end of the year. Ascot, Goodwood, The Jockey Club, Newbury and York collectively wrote to the RCA in March calling for an "urgent review" of its governance to support industry change requesting a proposal for reform by the end of April. Objectives that were set out aimed at ensuring the board and voting representation is balanced and credible, that significant views from key racecourses...

Ascot Racecourse is set to leave the Racecourse Association (RCA) at the end of the year, due to the fact that "sufficient progress has not been made" to address concerns about the organisation's governance structure. In March, following Lord Allen's resignation as chair of the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) and the failure to establish an independent BHA Board, a joint-statement was released by the Jockey Club and four large independent racecourses - Ascot, Goodwood, Newbury and York - which called for an urgent review of the governance structure at the...

It was announced in a joint statement on Monday that representatives of the Thoroughbred Group and the Racecourse Association (RCA) have undertaken a commitment to work together to pursue the signing of an industry-wide commercial partnership structure. These partnerships would see a commercial link formed between participants and racecourses to share the revenue that is generated by the sport. This is agreed to be a critical requirement if the industry is to reward owners and provide racegoers and bettors with competitive and engaging racing. In turn, it is hoped that...

The University of Arizona's Race Track Industry Program (RTIP) Global Symposium on Racing will be streamed live online by Roberts Communications Network (RCN) on the Racetrack Television Network (RTN). All proceeds from the sales will revert to the RTIP. "We are thrilled to once again stream the Symposium to a global audience," said RTIP Chair Robert Hartman. "While we are expecting a large group of industry attendees, we also understand that travel may not be possible for some, and feel it is important to make these panel sessions available to...

The British Horseracing Authority released the full Fixture List for 2023, reflecting a series of minimum race value increases agreed upon by the BHA, Racecourse Association (RCA) and the Thoroughbred Group (TG). The change addresses three principal areas: Supporting international competitiveness of prize money in black-type races both on Flat and over Jumps. Increase prize money levels in Class 2 and 3 handicaps with the aim of improving retention of higher-rated horses in Britain Enhance prize money values at the lower levels, with the appearance money scheme to be replaced...

Leaders of the Racecourse Association (RCA), Thoroughbred Group (TG) and the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) will work together to set a mid-to-long term strategy, to help stakeholders align on a plan for the long-term sustainability of the industry. The strategy will look at areas including prize-money, the race programme--alongside the breeding industry and ensuring there are enough of the right horses to fulfil the race programme--equine and people welfare, the collection and use of data in the sport, the owner experience, integrity, customer engagement and the overall marketing of horseracing...

Several stakeholder bodies of British horseracing have assumed a united front in regard to the conduct of those who work in the sport, while committing to take wide-ranging action to offer support and education to the industry. In an excerpt from a joint statement issued Tuesday by The British Horseracing Authority (BHA), National Trainers Federation (NTF), Professional Jockeys Association (PJA), National Association of Racing Staff (NARS), Racehorse Owners Association (ROA), Thoroughbred Breeders' Association (TBA) and Racecourse Association (RCA): "It is essential that horseracing remains a progressive, modern industry when it...

The 2022 UK fixture list was published by the British Horseracing Authority on behalf of the sport's tripartite governance structure of the BHA, racecourses and horsemen and women, on Monday. Comprised of 1,482 fixtures, the 2022 fixture list was developed by the industry's Fixtures and Funding Group, which contains cross-industry representation and was approved by all members of the group and the sport's tripartite executive committee. The list was presented to the BHA Board for approval on Sept. 9. The total fixtures for 2021 was 1,486. There were several significant...

The Racecourse Association (RCA) will be working closely with the UK Government to ensure the successful rollout of the new covid pass requirement after Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced a full COVID-19 vaccination would be required prior to entry at "venues where large crowds gather" beginning in October of 2021. Johnson was speaking on 'Freedom Day', the date when the majority of coronavirus restrictions were eased in England. Racecourses were allowed to begin hosting unrestricted numbers of spectators on Monday. Prime Minister Johnson said, "I should serve notice now that...

After the UK Government announced that they would be taking a four-week pause on the country's progression out of COVID-19 restrictions on Monday, the UK Racing industry acknowledged the reasons for the delay, but expressed disappointment at the news. The COVID-19 roadmap out of lockdown had been due to switch to Stage 4 on June 21, but instead the current restrictions will continue, affecting major racing events like Coral-Eclipse Day at Sandown Park, and the Moet & Chandon July Festival at Newmarket. Currently, the industry is working with the Horserace...

Organisations across British racing have united to improve diversity and inclusion across the sport under a unified "Industry Commitment". The Industry Commitment, which is part of British racing's COVID-19 Recovery Plan for British racing', aims to formalise the sport's approach to diversity and inclusion and builds on the extensive existing activity already taking place, including community engagement, education activity and charitable work. This is highlighted through the Racing Together platform which has already showcased over 80 initiatives. Organisations that have signed on to the Industry Commitment are: the British Horseracing...

Prime Minister Boris Johnson confirmed that the next phase of England's roadmap out of the ongoing COVID-19 lockdown will go ahead as planned on Monday, meaning that limited spectators may return to English racecourses from May 17. As a result of restrictions easing across England as the Covid alert level moves from level four to level three in seven days, English tracks should be able to host 4,000 spectators or fill a venue to 50% of capacity, the British Horseracing Authority (BHA), Racecourse Association (RCA) and The Horsemen's Group (GB)...