Epsom Downs Racecourse has been named one of Britain’s leading racecourses after achieving an ‘excellent’ rating in the Racecourse Association’s (RCA) 2025 Quality Assured Racecourse Scheme (QARS).
The historic Surrey venue was one of just 14 racecourses nationwide to score 90% or higher in independent raceday assessments carried out by The AA, the UK’s leading provider of professional hospitality accreditation. The national average raceday experience score increased to 85.7% in 2025, making Epsom’s result a standout achievement.
In addition to its overall excellence rating, Epsom Downs was awarded two prestigious RCA Excellence Accolades for:
• Warmest Welcome
• Staff Customer Service
The awards recognise racecourses that deliver exceptional standards in key areas of the customer experience. Benchmarks are deliberately set high to celebrate the very best practice across British racing.
Assessments are conducted on unannounced raceday visits, with AA inspectors reviewing every element of the customer journey including arrival and welcome, food and beverage provision, cleanliness and post-event experience.
Epsom Downs’ dual accolades highlight the commitment and professionalism of its raceday teams, whose friendly approach and high service standards were recognised as among the best in the country.
Jim Allen, General Manager at Epsom Downs Racecourse, said: “Achieving an excellence score of over 90% in a year when assessment thresholds were raised overall reflects the commitment of our team to continually raising standards.
“From the moment racegoers arrive to the end of their day, our focus is always on creating high-quality experiences so it’s very rewarding to see that recognised at a national level.”
Across the Jockey Club Racecourses portfolio, several other venues were also recognised in 2025. Sandown Park joined Epsom Downs among the elite racecourses scoring over 90%. Newmarket (Rowley Mile) and Market Rasen also achieved excellence scores and picked up multiple RCA Excellence Accolades.
The 2025 results underline the continued investment in raceday experience across British racing, with 14 racecourses achieving excellence status.
Epsom Downs Racecourse, home of the Betfred Derby, continues to combine its historic status with a modern, customer-focused approach, ensuring racegoers enjoy a memorable day out in the heart of Surrey.
For more information about upcoming racedays and events at Epsom Downs, visit www.thejockeyclub.co.uk/epsom.
