SHOWCASE & AWARDS 2011

Doncaster Racecourse Named Showcase Champion 2011

To view the 2011 RCA Showcase Awards Brochure, please click here

Doncaster Racecourse will be celebrating this evening as it has been named Showcase Champion at the RCA Showcase Awards 2011, held at Epsom Downs Racecourse. The award celebrates the overall excellence and innovation that has being shown at the Racecourse in improving the customer experience.

Overall, there were 86 initiavtives from 37 racecourses, as well as group submissions from Jockey Club Racecourses and Northern Racing and Events, were entered for submission. They were judged by a panel consisting of Louise Agran (Racing Post), Janet Uttley (Visit England), Abigail Sawyer (BBC), Daivd Fraser (Harrison:Fraser) and was chaired by Chris McFadden of Racing Enterprises Ltd.

In the individual categories, York Racecourse won the Marketing Award, following expansion of the fashion aspects of the Ebor Meeting, especially the Fashion in the Field initiative, whilst Musselburgh Racecourse were awarded the top prize in the Operational Excellence category for maintaining and improving the Racecourses status as a Visit Scotland 5 Star Attraction.

Hamilton Park Racecourse was victorious in the Raceday Experience category, following the development of the theatre of the Parade Ring to inform racegoers about horses and racing in an entertaining and engaging manner.  Goodwood Racecourse triumphed in the Food and Beverage category as a result of the partnership with Diageo to design and implement the new Tanqueray Bar.

In the Events category, Carlisle Racecourse came out on top thanks to their Edinburgh Woollen Mill Ultimate Ladies Night in August, where the racecourse hosted the first ever six race lady riders only card.  Doncaster Racecourse was also victorious in the Free Raceday category, thanks to their Royal Wedding Raceday. The crowd of 23,000 was one of the largest free Royal Wedding Events in the UK, which was marketed exclusively through social media.

Newcastle Racing and Events' hosting of the Newcastle Stampede was commended for being a socially responsible concept with very positive prospects for growth whilst the TurfTalk Staff Engagement Programme at Plumpton Racecourse was hailed as an effective new initiative and a model for all smaller racecourses. Both received Judges Awards.  Ascot Racecourse was awarded New Initiative of the Year for their Paddock Bar and Grill.

Chairman of the judging panel, Chris McFadden of Racecourse Enterprises Ltd, noted:

The quality of the entries this year was excellent and the judges had a very difficult job in picking out the winners in each category. We are delighted, however, to announce Doncaster Racecourse as Showcase Champion as the team have worked tirelessly to enhance the customer experience and show tremendous innovation across a number of areas at the Racecourse.

For more information, please contact Sam Cone at the RCA on 01344 626067.