The Jockey Club will leave the Racecourse Association at the end of the year to join Ascot in a new organization. This strategic move challenges the current governance model in British horse racing.
The Jockey Club operates 15 major tracks, including Aintree, Cheltenham, Epsom, and Newmarket. The departure follows a governance review by the RCA, which proposed a voting system where four groups of racecourses would share a single vote. Jim Mullen, chief executive of the Jockey Club, stated that this proposal fails to address industry concerns and would continue to block necessary changes.
The new organization aims to push for an independent board at the British Horseracing Authority and significant updates to the racing fixture list. The BHA recently appointed Simon Cox as its new independent non-executive chair. Currently, the RCA nominates two members to the BHA board, a role that may be contested following the exit of these major venues.
Impact on the Racing Sector
The split sets up a direct challenge to Arena Racing Company, which manages 16 courses and focuses on volume racing for the betting market. Industry observers note that the division could deepen if independent tracks such as York, Goodwood, Newbury, and Chester decide to follow the lead of the Jockey Club and Ascot.