Meet the Showcase Finalists: Exceptional Raceday Delivery (≤7,999 racegoers)

With this year’s RCA Showcase less than a month away it’s time to meet the Finalists. The Finalists, carefully selected by an expert, independent judging panel demonstrate best practice from British racecourses and will be in with the chance of being crowned category winners at the RCA Showcase Awards on Thursday 13th November at York Racecourse.

Today’s piece will look at the Exceptional Raceday Delivery (≤7,999 racegoers) category.

Exceptional Raceday Delivery (≤7,999 racegoers)

Bath – Easter Sunday Family Fun Day

With Easter now firmly amongst racing’s key periods of the year, Bath Racecourse’s Easter Sunday has become one of the racecourse’s biggest fixtures.

Going above and beyond the standard family day fare, Bath included a raft of Easter-themed activities for racegoers of all ages, as well an attractive racing programme to boot. Over 300 owners attended this inaugural day, a great sign for the future.

Chelmsford City – End of Summer Sessions Party

Chelmsford City’s bold move to welcome Armand van Helden for his first ever racecourse appearance proved a huge success, with record attendances and a new sponsor flocking to Essex for this late-summer race night.

The raceday was especially popular with the sought-after youth demographic, with over half of attendees being under 30 and 62% of all visitors having their first-ever visit to the racecourse.

Kempton Park – Community Raceday

The VE Day 80^th anniversary was a national celebration, and Kempton Park’s community raceday brought together locals for a sensational street party befitting of the occasion.

With fancy dress very much encouraged, the party welcomed thousands from the local community to enjoy the day’s racing and raise a glass to the joyous scenes of May 1945.

Musselburgh – The 90s Friday Night at the Races

The summer of 2025 was dominated by 90s throwbacks, from Oasis to bucket hats, and now Musselburgh’s 90s racenight.

Knowing this would be a hit with a defined key target audience, Musselburgh tapped into the essence of 90s nostalgia, with themed marketing, music and imagery evoking memories of the party decade. Now that’s what I call a raceday!

Ripon – Teddy Bear’s Picnic in Association with Harrogate Theatre

If you go down to Ripon today, you’re sure of a big surprise…

Ripon Racecourse’s collaboration with Harrogate Theatre brought the fun and mystique of the teddy bear’s picnic to the racecourse. Despite Storm Floris doing her worst, the raceday went ahead with families braving the forecast to enjoy teddys, tea and thoroughbreds amongst the backdrop of theatrical performances.