April 2016 contents 3. Inside Track - Aintree Beacon 15. Pony Racing Authority 4. QARS 2015 16. Five Minutes of Fame 5. QARS 2015 17. RCA Race Planning 6. Drinkaware 18. Sponsorship 7. ROA 19. Medical / Badges & PASS 2016 8. GBR 20. RaceTech 9. GBR 21. RaceTech 10. GBRI 22. Technical 11. Retraining of Racehorses 23. Technical 12. Racing to School 24. Diary Dates / Contributors List 13. Walking the Courses 25. Tashfest 14. Racecourse in Focus - Lingfield Park Inside Track - Aintree Beacon ALL eyes will be on Aintree and the Crabbie’s Grand National this week, but then again, all roads have been leading to Liverpool’s famous racecourse for children from one secondary and ten local primary schools for the past year, thanks to an initiative created by Racing Together, the sport’s community outreach co-ordinator. Aintree is Britain’s first Beacon Racecourse, and in the first 12 months of a two-year pilot run by Racing To School, the charity responsible for delivering education programmes through the sport, around 1,500 children have had access to the world-famous venue, of whom at least 30 per cent had never previously visited a racecourse. Almost all the youngsters, whose ages range from nine to 16, will have another year’s experience of a programme that Aintree Chairman Rose Paterson describes as “fundamental to our link with the community,” and to which John Baker, North-West Stand-out occasions in 2015 ranged from 70 local Regional Director for Jockey Club Racecourses, schoolchildren singing the National Anthem on Grand adds: “This is our way of giving something back to National day to four events carried out in partnership local people, encouraging them to become part of the with Everton FC and Riding for the Disabled, with former racecourse, to see what we do.” jockey Carrie Ford, who works for the Racing Together team, extending her Beacon project involvement to Baker is in no doubt about what Beacon status means share the experience of finishing fifth on Forest Gunner for Aintree. “It’s huge,” he says. “We had already started in the Grand National. our own community programme when this came along, Looking back over the past 12 months, Grant Rowley because the Grand National is the People’s Race and says: “A lot has happened. Our first year was superb, we believe Aintree should be the People’s Racecourse, and we were delighted when we won the Racing so it was all about engaging with the community. Together Community and Social Responsibility category Becoming the first Beacon Racecourse took that idea a at the RCA Showcase Awards, as well as a special step farther. Jockey Club award.” Running parallel with the Beacon project is Aintree’s Looking ahead, he says: “Health and well-being will be community programme, which has five themes: best for the next big project, identifying the best way to partner health and well-being; best for community engagement; with Liverpool FC, which has a fantastic men’s health best for mental health; best for riding in the community, programme. We’re also looking to do more with Alder and best for disability. Hay hospital, because they’ve got a brand new facility.” April 2016 3 back to menu Quality Assured Racecourse Quality Assured Racecourse Scheme 2015 Scheme 2015 The RCA, in partnership with VisitEngland and Musselburgh collected three Accolades with Fast Food VisitScotland, is delighted to announce the top racecourses Outlet, Lovely Loos and Quality Café/Restaurant through in England, Wales and Scotland for 2015 through the the Harris Tweed Bistro. Quality Assured Racecourse Scheme. Newbury was the only racecourse to be awarded an Now in its seventh year, the scheme allows every Accolade for Staff Customer Service. racecourse to be assessed and rated by VisitEngland and VisitScotland against other attractions in Britain. The 2015 Accolade Awards are as follows: The top twelve in England and Wales for 2015 (listed Malcolm Roughead, Chief an excellent way for racegoers Fast Food Outlet – Musselburgh, York alphabetically) were: Executive of VisitScotland, said: to feel confident that a day at the Bar Area – Beverley, Goodwood “VisitScotland’s world-leading races will be a quality experience Lovely Loos – Ayr, Chelmsford City, Doncaster, Ascot, Bangor-on-Dee, Beverley, Carlisle, Chester, Quality Assurance scheme is not that meets, and in many cases Musselburgh, Hamilton Park Doncaster, Goodwood, Haydock Park, just about driving standards, it’s exceeds, expectations. Visitor Information & Signage – Ascot, Bangor-on-Dee, Newbury, Redcar, Ripon, York about helping businesses to reach Chester, Huntingdon, Uttoxeter their full potential so that they can The RCA Excellence Accolades Quality Café/Restaurant - Kempton Park, Ripon, In Scotland, Musselburgh retained its five star rating reap the benefits. reflect the high standards of Musselburgh and was ranked in the top 10% of all five star attractions quality found at racecourses Staff Customer Service – Newbury in the country. Ayr was also awarded a five star rating, “A top quality grading is an across the country, recognising the first time it has done so since being effective marketing tool which the wonderful ways that assessed by VisitScotland. helps them attract more business racecourses are going above and RCA Chief Executive, Stephen Atkin, said: “Once again our and secure their success. We beyond the call of duty to ensure The national tourism boards provide a rating that takes into racecourses have demonstrated that they stand up well are delighted to see Musselburgh racegoers enjoy their day out.” account efficiency and friendliness of customer service as when compared to other attractions across Britain. We are and Ayr feature so prominently in well as cleanliness of facilities. Once again all racecourses very proud of the service and value for money that all of the Quality Assured Racecourse The 2016 Assessments will scored the minimum rating required to be classed as our racecourses offer and this is backed up by the results Scheme, showing that this country commence from Friday 1 April ‘good’. Collaborating with VisitEngland and VisitScotland from VisitEngland and VisitScotland. has a rich pedigree when it comes 2016. To prepare for your allows racecourses to benchmark against other attractions, to top-quality attractions.” assessment, check out the 2016 ensuring that standards of customer experience remain “Our partnership with both tourism boards allows us to offer Defining Excellence Booklet, high in the face of such competition. customers a guarantee of quality whenever they visit a Pam Foden, Head of Industry which gives all of the information racecourse. The results show that racecourses large and Development at VisitEngland said: needed to score the best possible The RCA Excellence Accolades aim to reward those who small can all compete on the same level when it comes to “Our racecourses are incredibly marks as well as some examples achieve exceptionally high marks in specific areas of quality and that is one of the unique attractions of British popular, both for visitors at home of best practice and details of the their assessment. There are six categories in total and racing.” and from abroad. The Quality Excellence Accolades. Assured Racecourse Scheme is Some of the delighted recipients of the @RCAShowcase Excellence Accolade for Customer Service taken on Saturday 2 April at Newbury Racecourse April 2016 4 back to menu April 2016 5 back to menu Drinkaware ‘Crew’ to be part of British Racing The RCA and Drinkaware are pleased to announce that training for accredited Drinkaware Crew members is to commence throughout Britain’s Racecourses this year. Previously trialled in the nightclub industry, Drinkaware Crew Members (formerly ‘hosts’) are trained members of staff from venues who are responsible for the wellbeing of customers who have been exposed to alcohol and are perhaps at risk or vulnerable. The training, offered by Drinkaware and fully accredited, provides staff with skills to communicate with customers Ben Butler, Director of Marketing and Communication after being exposed to alcohol and defuse situations with at Drinkaware said: “We have been working with the the potential to escalate in a non-aggressive manner. Racecourse Association (RCA) to help people make informed choices about their alcohol consumption. We Furthermore, staff will be able to offer friendly advice to look forward to expanding our partnership with the RCA ensure that customers make the most of their day at the via this training which will help racegoers make the most races and support the ‘Pace Yourself’ campaign, which of their day, without affecting the enjoyment or safety of encourages customers to consume soft drinks at regular themselves or others.” intervals throughout the day. All British Racecourses, via the RCA, became the first Caroline Davies, Racecourse Services Director partners of Drinkaware from the world of sport in 2014, commented “I am delighted to further our partnership with this accredited training another firm commitment of the with Drinkaware by offering this accredited training industry’s promotion of responsible drinking. to racecourses. This will not only benefit the raceday experience for customers, but will also provide racecourse A significant number of racecourses have registered an staff with new skills to promote responsible drinking and interest to include members of staff in the training, with full enhance the racecourse’s standing as a good neighbour in details to be announced in the coming weeks. It is not too the community.” late to get involved- please contact Paul Swain as soon as possible for more details. Customers enjoying a drink at the Ladbrokes St Leger Festival April 2016 6 back to menu Racehorse Owners Association National Racehorse Owners' Survey On 12 April the Racehorse Owners The project is being undertaken Association and British Horseracing with the help of Two Circles, who Authority are launching the National are currently leading the RCA’s Racehorse Owners’ Survey, the largest Insight=Growth.