Your 2023 Showcase Finalists: The Raceday Award

The Raceday Award celebrates superb raceday events that provide memorable days out and attract new customers to racecourses. Judges looked specifically for excellence in execution, along with a clear link to the racecourse brand, customer feedback and evidence of racegoer retention.

Exeter & Wincanton – West Country Weekend

Keen to grow significant events at both racecourses, the teams at Exeter and Wincanton identified an opportunity to create the ultimate weekend of racing in the West Country.

A double header of the Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter and Badger Beers Chase at Wincanton proved unmissable for any jumps racing fan and resulted in increased ITV coverage, corporate sponsorship and attendance for both racecourses.

West Country Weekend at Exeter & Wincanton Racecourses

Ffos Las – Proud to be Welsh Raceday

Wales is a country with a strong history of success in horseracing, and Ffos Las wanted to make sure the people of Wales continued to be proud of this heritage.

Proud to be Welsh Raceday was a celebration of all things Welsh with a bilingual racecard, music from local community groups and a Welsh speaking raceday presenter. The day proved a hit with the community, doubling expected attendance and gaining national TV coverage on ITV Wales and S4C.

Proud to be Welsh Raceday at Ffos Las Racecourse

Musselburgh – Luca’s Ice Cream Family Day

Musselburgh Racecourse identified the growing family markets in Edinburgh and East Lothian as an opportunity to engage with the local community and engage with their new neighbours.

Partnering with key home builders and local businesses Musselburgh grew attendance at their Luca’s Ice Cream Family Day by 74% year on year and welcomed 1200 children, the most they’ve ever had on site!

Luca’s Ice Cream Family Day at Musselburgh Racecourse

Newmarket – The QIPCO Guineas Festival & Coronation

A major raceday coinciding with the Coronation of King Charles III may be viewed as Royal-sized challenge by some, but for the team at Newmarket Racecourses it was nothing but an opportunity to welcome the local community and celebrate the historic action on and off the track.

The team transformed the Rowley Mile’s Garden Enclosure into the ultimate British street party for the QIPCO Guineas Festival and achieved strong attendance growth and customer feedback across all three days.

The QIPCO Guineas Festival & Coronation at Newmarket Racecourse

Pontefract – Racing for Everyone Raceday

Following an extensive redevelopment of their accessible facilities across the racecourse, Pontefract put them to the test with the inaugural Racing for Everyone raceday.

Engaging with a range of local groups supporting protected characteristics, Pontefract ensured the racecourse could cater for a diverse mixture of customers with bespoke initiatives running throughout the day. Attendance rose by 13% attendance with fantastic feedback to boot.

Racing for Everyone Raceday at Pontefract Racecourse