Plumpton racecourse wins groundstaff champion award
The privately owned National Hunt racecourse in Plumpton won the groundstaff champion award at the Racecourse Association’s National Showcase awards on 13 November.
The Showcase awards held at Haydock Park celebrate excellence and innovation in all areas of the racecourse.
The independent judging panel for the groundstaff champion award were “particularly impressed” with the work the Plumpton team has done to improve the track, redevelop the parade ring and recruit more members.
The award comes a few weeks after Plumpton picked up two accolades at the 2014 Racecourse Groundstaff Awards.
The racecourse was the winner of the jumps category and Plumpton’s clerk of the course Mark Cornford was awarded the Neil Wyatt Lifetime Achievement Award for over 30 years of service on the Sussex track.
“It is fantastic for our team to be recognised in this way, and especially for Mark Cornford whose contributions to the grass roots of racing at Plumpton over the last 35 years have been remarkable,” said Plumpton racecourse chief executive Michael Moloney.
“Mark has been an exceptional leader for our groundstaff team and instrumental in the improvements throughout the course over the years,” he added.
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Mr Moloney said he was “delighted that the efforts of the whole groundstaff team have been recognised including the race day team who play such a vital role in ensuring the best conditions are maintained for racing.”
“For horsemen there is nothing more important than the racing surface. It is a pleasure to work as part of this team and I would personally like to congratulate all our groundstaff.”
The next fixture for Plumpton is an afternoon of National Hunt racing on Monday 1 December.
The first race is at 12.40pm and gates will be open from 10.30pm.
For more information visit www.plumptonracecourse.co.uk
