Your 2023 Showcase Finalists: Racing Foundation Green Award

Introduced in 2022 the Racing Foundation Green Award champions initiatives that reduce the environmental impact of racecourses.

Ascot – Racing to Zero

A world class venue demands a world class environmental strategy. Ascot’s commitment to a net zero racecourse was in evidence at Royal Ascot with the ambitious aim of creating a carbon-neutral enclosure—the first ever in British racing.

The Village Enclosure achieved this, and across the racecourse best practice is evident in recycling, procurement and vehicle policies amongst others.

Racing to Zero: Ascot Racecourse

Jockey Club Racecourses – Showcasing Sustainability: Greener Racedays

Having led the way on racecourse sustainability, the Jockey Club’s efforts to showcase this to stakeholders beyond its own staff was deemed the next challenge to undertake.

A Green Raceday was held at Cheltenham and was designed to show how each aspect of the event had been considered through a sustainability lens. Plans are afoot to host a similar raceday across the Jockey Club group, thus reaching 100,000’s of customers with this best practice.

Showcasing Sustainability: Greener Racedays at Jockey Club Racecourses

Kelso – Rainwater/Drainwater Harvesting

It is not often the combination of outdoor space and wet weather is viewed positively, but Kelso’s rainwater/drainwater harvesting pond has presented the racecourse with an excellent solution to ensure a sustainable supply of water.

With the pond now used to irrigate the track, Kelso is no longer reliant on mains water for this purpose and has received glowing reviews from participants on its lush racing surface.

Rainwater/Drainwater Harvesting at Kelso Racecourse

Ripon – Green Work Makes the Dream Work

As a previous Finalist in this category, Ripon’s sustainability credentials are every bit in keeping with its Garden Racecourse tag.

Across the racecourse, the Ripon team have taken steps to ensure sustainability is paramount including: promotion of green travel options, overseeing the natural habitat of the racecourse for wildlife and fulfilment of a zero to landfill waste policy.

Green Work Makes the Dream Work at Ripon Racecourse

York – Green Knavesmire 300

As custodians of a racecourse sitting on the historic Knavesmire, York’s awareness of the need for a sustainable future is clear with their ambitious sustainability strategy.

If becoming the first independent racecourse to join the UNFCCC Sport for Climate Action framework shows intent, a 50% reduction in carbon footprint and overall emissions shows genuine change and a desire to achieve more in the years ahead.

Green Knavesmire 300 at York Racecourse