Jockey Club Racecourses
Through a separately managed company, the Jockey Club owns a group of racecourses which operate under the group title of Jockey Club Racecourses.
Jockey Club Racecourses was formed in 1964 (under the title Racecourse Holdings Trust) with the primary objective of securing racecourses for horseracing and the first acquisition was Cheltenham. The group now manages and operates fourteen courses, including many historic tracks that could otherwise have been lost to racing.
The most recent addition to the portfolio was Exeter Racecourse, which officially became part of the group in April 2007.
Jockey Club Racecourses is unique as it is the only racecourse owning group which is committed to reinvesting its profits into enhancing racecourse facilities and prize money.
By 2010 the group will have completed a £95 million five-year investment programme. Recently finished and current projects include:
- Kempton Park’s £19 million floodlit all-weather track, which opened in 2006 and is recognised as the finest in Europe
- Aintree’s £30 million re-development which already includes a new parade ring and weighing room facilities. A new grandstand complex and an equestrian centre was finished prior to the 2007 John Smith’s Grand National meeting
- Newmarket’s July Course underwent a £10 million investment which was opened in time for the 2007 season that has significantly enhanced the whole raceday experience while maintaining the venue’s charming al-fresco feel
- At Epsom Downs a new entrance building with office accommodation, as well as a hotel, have been completed with the major project of a new grandstand on schedule to be opened in 2009
There are seven large courses:
- Aintree
- Cheltenham
- Epsom
- Haydock Park
- Kempton Park
- Newmarket
- Sandown Park
and seven smaller courses:
- Carlisle
- Exeter
- Huntingdon
- Market Rasen
- Nottingham
- Warwick
- Wincanton