Quintet announced for Racing Together Community Award at RCA Showcase

The Racecourse Association (RCA), in partnership with Great British Racing (GBR), Racing Post, Racing Together and the Racing Foundation has confirmed the Finalists for the 2023 Showcase Awards following deliberation by its independent judging panel.

From July to September, all British racecourses were invited to submit entries to the Showcase Awards across eight core categories chosen to reflect the diverse operation of a racecourse. In addition, two public-voted awards offer racecourse customers the opportunity to have their say and crown their racecourse of the year in raceday and owners’ experience. The RCA received 67 racecourse entries in total plus almost 5,000 votes from the racegoing public.

There are five finalists for the Racing Together Community Award: Aintree – Harnessing the power of the People’s Race, Ayr – Raising Funds for Ayrshire Cancer Support, Haydock Park – Housebuilders Careers Initiative, Windsor– 26 Racedays, 26 Charity Partners and York – Remy Reaching the Places Other Racehorses Can’t.

The Award celebrates and acknowledges courses that have created and implemented community programmes that benefit the communities in which the racecourse operates, as well as charitable causes. The winner will work with Racing Together to create a short video that celebrates and showcases the winning initiative. A case study on winner will feature in the next Racing Together newsletter (digital and printed versions), and two branded Racing Together jackets area also on offer.  

Lucy Gurney, Racing Together’s Community Engagement Manager said: “We’re delighted to work with the RCA again on the Racing Together Community Award, as each year we uncover wonderful examples of racecourses that are going above and beyond to make a real impact in their local communities. I don’t envy the decision of the judges and we look forward to showcasing and celebrating all the brilliant finalists in the coming months via Racing Together. It is also encouraging to see some wonderful community-focussed initiatives in the Diversity and Inclusion category, too.”

Paul Swain, Head of Raceday Experience & Communications at the RCA, said: “Congratulations to our 2023 Showcase Finalists. This list represents the best of British racecourses over the past 12 months and demonstrates their commitment to providing a fantastic experience for participants and racegoers alike.

“Our independent judging panel commented on the high standard of entries this year which was evident when considering the scores awarded.

“I am thrilled to share details of these excellent initiatives. There is an abundance of best practice that should be replicated across the sport and the RCA will ensure this is front and centre of our raceday experience programme in 2024.

“My thanks to all racecourses in supporting the Showcase Awards, our independent judging panel for their time and expertise and to our partners who help elevate this event. Alongside hosts Aintree Racecourse, the RCA is eagerly anticipating the Showcase Seminar & Awards on Thursday 23rd November where we will crown this year’s winners and overall Champion Racecourse.”

The full list of nominations across all categories can be found here