Chester Racecourse has been named the best in Britain for racehorse owners.
The Roodee received the honour last Thursday evening at the 34th annual Horseracing Awards of the Racehorse Owners Association (ROA), held at London’s InterContinental Hotel.
Chester is among just 12 of the country’s 60 racecourses that has been awarded Gold Standard status by the ROA thanks to its reputation for making its racegoers ‘feel special’, but at the ceremony it was declared the best one in the country.
Alan Pickering, Chairman of the ROA Raceday Committee, said: “We can reveal the outright winner of the best large racecourse among those racecourse recipients of the newly competitive ROA Gold Standard Award that recognises all that is best about the owners’ raceday experience, and it’s Chester that’s come out on top.
“Chester has a reputation for making all racegoers feel special, partly because of its exceptional owners’ restaurant in the centre of the racecourse. It is heartening to report that the racecourse executive ensures that owners feel extra special.
“We regularly receive unsolicited positive comments from those of our members who have been lucky enough to have a horse run at Chester.”
As part of the judging process, representatives from the ROA visited every racecourse in Britain at least once between January and October to assess all aspects of the owners’ raceday experience.
Jeannie Chantler, Owners and Trainers Liaison at Chester Race Company said: “We’re thrilled to see Chester on top, and to win the first award of its kind from the
Racehorse Owners Association, it’s a testament to the hard work and dedication the team put in to ensuring every owner enjoys the best possible experience and personal attention from the moment the horse is entered.
“Our entertainment suite, extended and refurbished for the 2015 season has allowed us to ensure that owners of all placed horses as well as winning owners enjoy the highest level of care while they are with us, something we will continue to strive for every season.”
