Ascot voted best racing venue in the country

Ascot racecourse has been voted best racing venue in the country at the Racecourse Association (RCA) annual showcase and awards, which took place at Haydock Park earlier this month (13 November).

The Berkshire track won the prestigious showcase champion award, which recognises excellence and innovation at racecourses around Britain.

As well as being named overall champion, the racecourse also headed the food and beverage category with its newly-installed On 5 restaurant. The popular food spot has already welcomed top chefs Tom Kerridge and James Martin.

“It is a tremendous endorsement of everyone’s efforts to win three awards at the annual RCA showcase awards and it was particularly pleasing to be voted racecourse of the year by our own peers,” said chief executive of Ascot racecourse, Charles Barnett.

“We like to think we provide something for everyone at Ascot — from the best fine dining in the world at Royal Ascot in venues like our now award-winning On 5 Restaurant — to informal, fun and innovative events like the Red Bull Air Race in August [which topped the events category]. It isn’t straightforward to plan, market and then implement so many different attractions in such a busy calendar and all the staff at Ascot who make this happen deserve the recognition they received.”

The fifth annual showcase awards also celebrated the successes of other ventures and venues, including the Arena Racing Company, Cartmel, Musselburgh and Kempton Park.

Plumpton racecourse snatched the ground staff champions’ title, while Pontefract and York won the RCA customer service and the @RCAShowcase #TopSpot awards respectively.