Hamilton Park Racecourse a finalist in prestigious industry awards
Hamilton Park Racecourse has been nominated as a finalist in the prestigious Racecourse Association’s annual Showcase & Awards event which is for all 60 racecourses in the UK.
The premier Lanarkshire venue is the only Scottish finalist, listed in the Owners’ Experience category, after being nominated by Racehorse Owners Association members (ROA).
The course is one of five finalists and the team there will be hoping to be crowned winners at the awards ceremony at Newbury Racecourse on November 16.
Vivien Currie, Chief Executive at Hamilton Park Racecourse, said: “We are incredibly proud to have been nominated in the Owners’ Experience category. The fact that this award comes from members of the ROA brings significant kudos to it.
“A great deal of consideration is put into the planning and execution of each and every fixture in order to ensure owners and customers receive the best possible raceday experience whenever they come to Hamilton Park Racecourse. We are delighted to be nominated and are very much looking forward to the event.”
ROA members were asked to demonstrate where racecourses have met and exceeded expectations relating to the raceday experience for owners. Taking account of key elements including: pre and post raceday communications, entrance and arrival, owners’ facilities, food and beverages, entertainment of winning and placed connections, and the racecourse owners’ liaison officer.
Hamilton Park will now enter a Showcase submission which will be considered by the independent judging panel.
Caroline Davies, RCA Racecourse Services Director, said: “Having the ROA members nominate their experiences provides a genuine authenticity to this Award. The five Finalists represent a diverse selection of racecourses, each providing a distinct but nonetheless excellent experience for Owners. I am looking forward to the ceremony on 16 November at Newbury Racecourse to see which is crowned the winner.”
Charlie Liverton, ROA Chief Executive, said: “ROA members regularly visit racecourses the length and breadth of the country when they have a runner and feedback their experiences to us. This enormous data set allows us to confidently determine which racecourses are truly delivering the best experiences and improvements to owners. The diversity of the five courses is testament to this rigour and evidence of the many different improvements racecourses are providing to owners.”
Hamilton Park has also this week been credited with being at the “forefront of accessible sporting venues” in Scotland.
The news comes following the launch of Scottish Racing’s new Access Statements, which provide the highest possible standards of customer experience for everyone, regardless of age or ability.
The Access Statements were developed in conjunction with VisitScotland’s Accessible Tourism Scotland initiative, a drive to help venues better cater for the requirements of people with access needs, including those with physical, sensory or learning disabilities, elderly visitors and parents with small children.
The access guides allow visitors to plan their trip from the comfort of their own home via their PC, tablet or mobile phone and details the access needs of every aspect of the venue, from car parking and transport, to access to the amenities.
Delly Innes, Scottish Racing Manager, said: “Our Access Statements further demonstrate that racing in Scotland is accessible to everyone and anyone. All five of our racecourses pride themselves on the high standards of staff training and customer service that is on offer to any racegoer, notwithstanding their ability.”
