www.racecourseassociation.co.uk 2019 annualreport RCA Annual Report 2019 1 Contents 4 The RCA Board 5 The RCA Executive Structure 6 Chairman’s Report 8 Chief Executive’s Report 10 RCA Operating Plan 2019 11 Vision & Values 12 Racecourse Services Report 14 Racing Report 16 Brand & Experience Report 18 Showcase & Awards 22 Racegoers Club 24 Marketing Services & Attendances 25 Pace Yourself Plus 26 RaceTech 27 Quality Assured Racecourse Scheme 28 RCA Group Representatives 30 Partners RCA Annual Report 2019 3 The RCA Board The RCA Executive Structure Maggie Carver Chairman David Armstrong Maggie Carver Charles Barnett David Armstrong Simon Bazalgette Chief Executive Chairman Vice-Chairman Chief Executive Jockey Club Large Independent Racecourses Racecourses Andy Clifton Caroline Davies Racing Director Racecourse Services Director Paul Swain Holly Cook Jackie Tizzard Brand & Experience Racecourse Services Finance Administrator Manager Manager Martin Cruddace Bill Farnsworth Pat Masterson Jonjo Sanderson Kevin Walsh Sophie Hellyer Carol Walker Helen Ballerino Arena Racing Independent Independent Independent Racing Executive Racegoers PA to Racecourse Financial Accountant Services Company Racecourses Racecourses Racecourses Club Executive Matthew Jones Katya Browne Brand & Experience Racecourse Services Executive Executive 4 RCA Annual Report 2019 RCA Annual Report 2019 5 Chairman'sMaggie Carver Report Looking back over the last 18 months, from five out of the six largest levy-paying betting operators, racegoers as well as the substantial contribution that racing there is no question that this has been both retail and online. A Betting Data Analysis Group has now makes to the fashion and creative industries. a difficult period in many ways. The been set up to analyse the data and a Betting Data Innovation manner of the departure of the BHA Group to devise new ways of increasing profitable turnover As always, I would like to thank the staff at the RCA, at Chair caused damage to relationships on racing. Important amongst these will be products RaceTech, and my Board for all their hard work during the that were steadily being forged and emanating from the tracking and timing data that the Levy year. In the RCA’s case, I am hugely grateful for the excellent this effect was further exacerbated by Board is now sponsoring. I very much hope that sufficiently and unstinting support they gave me when we were without the news of the early implementation accurate and reliable data will be soon be available on all a Chief Executive. We are lucky to have such an experienced, of the significant reduction in the courses. Racecourses are also engaged in the development knowledgeable, dedicated, capable and enthusiastic team. In maximum stake wagered on Fixed of the Tote. RaceTech’s case, they have made an impressive start to their Odds Betting Terminals and the consequent effect on income new contracts, having built new technical equipment on time to the sport and prize money. Much effort was expended in Social responsibility has also been a high priority. Our and budget, and they are now looking at innovative ways to setting up the Racing Authority, in recruiting excellent non- partnership with Drinkaware has developed each year; we improve their service. executives, and in getting new and important committees have put in place initiatives on drugs, and the RCA Gambling established with bookmakers. The demise of the Racing Advisory Group has launched a Responsible Betting There are substantial headwinds ahead, on funding, on Authority was a significant opportunity lost and we must Campaign. There have also been several Racing Goes Green structure, and on strategic priority. It is my hope that we strive to keep as much of the good generated that we can. initiatives including one to reduce single-use plastics on can work together to build our relationships, not only with racecourses. the Horsemen and the BHA but also with the Levy Board, Nevertheless, much progress is being made. Stephen Atkin History makers: Chester Racecourse have been celebrating their illustrious past the Racing Foundation, the Horse Welfare Board and other left us after 18 years of dedicated service as Chief Executive The RCA played a leading role in setting up the Horse Welfare with racegoers of today (Image courtesy RM Bevan/Chester Racecourse) relevant bodies to the benefit of our great sport. last September and we were fortunate to replace him with Board which will work with the BHA to address some of the David Armstrong who joins us with extensive experience pressing issues involving tripartite parties, such as the use of At industry level, progress is also being made. I would like to of the sports, leisure and retail sectors. He is currently the whip and injuries and fatalities on the track. thank Atholl Duncan for his hard work as Interim Chair at the Chairman of Pentathlon GB and formerly CEO of Wasps rugby BHA and, in particular, for his inclusive approach. I would also club and a member of the World Athletics Championships Racecourses have been at the heart of their communities like to thank Vivien Currie for her sterling work as the BHA Board. David has immediately picked up the reins and has for longer than any other major sport. Chester recently nominated director. David Armstrong and I have now joined made a dynamic and promising start. celebrated 480 years of racing on the Roodee. Community the Board and we are looking forward to working with the engagement programmes undertaken by racecourses new BHA Chair, Annamarie Phelps. On the diversity agenda, We are well on the way with the Government’s self-help include working with horses to improve mental health at it is good to see so many women now chairing boards, agenda items. Amongst these are initiatives to bring new Aintree, helping the hard of hearing at Beverley, prostate including Annamarie, Ann Duffield at the National Trainers income into the sport. The RCA has been instrumental in cancer screening at Uttoxeter, and many school visits and Federation and Julia Budd and Rose Paterson at Epsom setting up the Betting Liaison Group, now transferred from other projects working with Racing Together. These are Downs and Aintree racecourses respectively. A recent visit the Racing Authority to the Levy Board. With the latter’s just a few of the inspiring initiatives currently taking place at to Racetech’s operations at Royal Ascot took me through all help, race-by-race data is now coming in on a regular basis racecourses. the enclosures and I was struck by the improved diversity in 6 RCA Annual Report 2019 RCA Annual Report 2019 7 ChiefDavid Armstrong Executive’s Report Having joined the racing stable in the tools they need to become even more successful venues. As Chief Executive of one of the sport’s tripartite leaders, February this year, I would like to start Data analysis is central to our strategy—be it within existing, perhaps Leadership is the value which resonates the most. by thanking all whom I have come into effective programmes such as Marketing Services and the I am keen to continue learning about this wonderful sport contact with for their warm welcome. It Quality Assured Racecourse Scheme, or new areas of work so that I can give effective guidance and support to the has been a great help whilst immersing which we will look forward to launching in the months ahead. Executive team here whilst offering clear and progressive myself in horseracing to meet so direction on behalf of the RCA and our member racecourses many diligent people whose aim is to Of course, opportunity does not come without challenges. from a central perspective. enhance the sport that they love. The ongoing uncertainty around the funding of the sport will not truly manifest itself until we have seen the effect I intend to visit every racecourse over my first 24 months so I One of the first things to hit my inbox that reduced FOBT stakes will have on betting shops and look forward to seeing you for a day’s racing soon. was news of the equine flu outbreak. To paraphrase John F. subsequently racecourses, whilst the work on generating fair Kennedy, the potentially catastrophic situation that the sport and increased levy income is ongoing. All stakeholders are found itself in gave us a perfect opportunity to engage and together in working to confront these challenges which will be form a conclusive, collaborative response. Such teamwork was central to our success. necessary but also demonstrated what can be achieved when our stakeholders unite. One of the most pleasing elements of joining the RCA was arriving at an organisation that had given such consideration Opportunity is a word I would associate with racecourses over to what it wants to be and how it will provide service to its The RCA will play a key role in helping racecourses keep their offering contemporary for customers the next 12 months. I believe this is an exciting time for the members. The RCA’s values, which can be found later in this sport—data analysis tells us that more people than ever are report, of Excellence, Innovation, Leadership, Experience and enjoying live sports and leisure experiences, both of which are Welcome define over 112 years of work by our organisation key elements of a day at the races. during which time we have been at the forefront of many significant moments in the history of the sport. When visiting racecourses I’ve been impressed with the level of customer service offered and, in many cases, the well-oiled operation of a complex venue. It’s clear that our members have embraced the fact that service is paramount when customers are onsite for many hours, be it on a raceday or amongst the multitude of non-raceday events that take place.