Newbury Racecourse Named As Finalist In Four Categories At 2025 RCA Showcase Awards

Newbury Racecourse has been named a finalist in four categories at this year’s Racecourse Association (RCA) Showcase Awards. Matching this achievement is Ayr Racecourse, with the two venues leading the way among a total of 34 racecourses and organisations represented in 2025’s finalists.

The RCA Showcase Awards represent the best of British racecourses and celebrate the successes and new initiatives introduced across the country over the past 12 months with Newbury shortlisted for two judged awards – Exceptional Raceday Delivery and Food & Beverage – as well as two awards decided by public vote: Owners’ Racecourse of the Year and the Racing Post Readers’ Award.

An independent panel of industry experts, made up of Tara Warren, David Carr, Lena Hall, Aileen Goatley and Kate Freeman, compiled the shortlists.

Newbury’s nomination in the Exceptional Raceday Delivery category reflects the success of its Coral Gold Cup raceday and the partner-powered campaign behind it. Delivered in association with Coral, the Professional Jockeys’ Association, GOFFS, and Retraining of Racehorses, the event delivered the most comprehensive suite of raceday activity and entertainment in the raceday’s history. Attendance increased by 12% year-on-year, with an 85% rise in young racegoers. Racegoer satisfaction reached its highest ever recorded level, and momentum continues with 2025 Coral Gold Cup ticket sales already up 17% year-on-year.

In the Food & Beverage category, Newbury was shortlisted for Bar None, a new no and low-alcohol lounge. Launched in collaboration with Levy, Thatchers, and Lucky Saint, the concept responded to the rapid growth of the no and low-alcohol market, which more than doubled in 2024 and is projected to double again by 2028. Since its opening, Bar None has received widespread media attention and helped lift overall food and beverage satisfaction among racegoers.

Newbury’s other award nominations came in the public vote categories. The Owners’ Racecourse of the Year is an award decided by racehorse owners, while the Racing Post Readers’ Award is selected by racegoers based on customer service, value for money and overall raceday experience.

Shaun Hinds, Chief Executive at Newbury Racecourse, commented: “We are absolutely delighted to have reached the shortlist in four categories for this year’s

awards. We’ve worked hard over the last year to improve the customer offer across many aspects of our racing operation. I’m especially proud of our inclusion in the food and beverage category with the launch of our new no and low-alcohol lounge, Bar None, a bold initiative at the forefront of changing attitudes and requirements for an increasing number of racegoers. In addition, to see our Coral Gold Cup meeting represented is also fantastic due to it representing the essence of racing at Newbury for so many people.

“Finally, and probably most pleasing of all, is the public voted categories of Racing Post Readers’ Award and Owners’ Racecourse of the Year. There’s no hiding place when it comes to the public vote and to have made the shortlist is recognition of the progress we are making in such esteemed company and we are grateful to those people that have already put their cross in the Newbury box – it’s these groups that make our efforts worthwhile and encourage us to strive to continue to improve.”

The winners of the 2025 RCA Showcase Awards will be announced during a reception at York Racecourse on Thursday 13th November.