Ilona Barnett Elected to RCA Board
The Racecourse Association (RCA) is pleased to confirm that Ilona Barnett (Stratford-upon-Avon Racecourse) has been elected to join the RCA Board as a representative of small independent racecourses. Ilona will replace Pat Masterson (Newton Abbot Racecourse) who still stand down from the Board after nine years in post. The RCA would like to place on record its sincere thanks to Pat for his sound counsel and dedicated service.
Ilona will join the RCA Board from 4th June onwards and will be responsible for representing the views of small independent racecourses on all matters relating to industry governance, racecourse operation, the fixture list and funding and the direction of the RCA.
The articles of the RCA require three Directors to represent small independent racecourses alongside one each from large independent racecourses, Arena Racing Company (ARC) and Jockey Club Racecourses (JCR). Ilona will join Hazel Peplinski (Perth Racecourse), Jonjo Sanderson (Wetherby Racecourse), Charles Barnett (large independent racecourses), Nevin Truesdale (JCR) and Martin Cruddace (ARC) alongside RCA Chair Wilf Walsh and Chief Executive David Armstrong.
Ilona Barnett commented “I feel privileged that my peers have had faith in me to represent them at Board level. I look forward to representing all small independent courses be they flat, jumps, summer, or winter, in order to enhance communication and our voices being heard.
“I will, however, have a hard act to follow. Pat Masterson has looked after our courses impeccably for nine years and we thank him wholeheartedly for that.”
Wilf Walsh commented “I am pleased to welcome Ilona Barnett to the Board of Directors of the RCA representing small independent racecourses. Ilona brings a wealth of experience from her time successfully running Stratford-upon-Avon Racecourse and was a popular choice amongst her peers.
“Pat’s service on the RCA Board has been exemplary and he has served small independent racecourses proudly. My sincere thanks for his tireless work over the past nine years.”
