The Racecourse Association (RCA) is delighted to announce the winners of the Racecourse Groundstaff Awards for 2024.
Among the winners and runners up, Arena Racing Company's Head of Group Racing, Charlie Moore, was presented with The Neil Wyatt Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his contribution to the sport over his impressive career. Great Yarmouth's Nathan Durrance was also awarded The Richard Linley Award in recognition of his enthusiasm and commitment to working hard and developing his skills since joining the team in July 2023.
Sponsored by Agrovista Amenity, DLF Seeds & Science and Duralock the award winners were decided by an industry panel comprised of representatives from the Professional Jockeys Association (PJA), British Horseracing Authority (BHA) and National Trainers Federation (NTF).
Alongside Charlie Moore's and Nathan Durrance's accolades, two Arena Racing Company Groundsteams were recognised - Bath and Royal Windsor Racecourse. The winners and runners up across the three racecourse categories are as follows:
- Flat winner—York Racecourse
- Jump winner—Aintree Racecourse
- Dual purpose winner—Carlisle Racecourse
- Flat runners-up—Bath and Royal Windsor Racecourses
- Jump runner-up—Cheltenham Racecourse
- Dual purpose-runner up—Newbury Racecourse
The winners and runners-up are deemed to have demonstrated the highest levels of commitment, innovation and excellence across the year to racecourse groundsmanship and turf husbandry. The racecourses all showed impressive dedication to environmental sustainability, innovation, equine welfare and training.
Mark Spincer, Managing Director (Racing Division) at Arena Racing Company, said: “We are absolutely delighted to see Charlie and Nathan receive these Awards. Charlie's years of experience at Racecourses across the country have been of huge value not just to ARC as a company, but to the wider sport also. The Neil Wyatt Lifetime Achievement Award recognises that fact and is very much deserved.
“Likewise with Nathan, who has shown great enthusiasm to develop his career at Great Yarmouth after a career change. Nathan has proven himself a real asset to the team in his relatively short time at the racecourse and is a very worthy recipient of the Richard Linley Newcomer Award.
"Everyone at ARC is equally as proud of all of our Grounds Teams who have continued to work in very difficult conditions over the past year. We are delighted to see both Royal Windsor and Bath recognised in the flat category as well as the Merit Awards for Southwell and Worcester's teams who have overcome the significant issues faced with the flooding that they have experienced at both racecourses."
The BHA Inspectors of Courses said: “As in previous years, this is a very competitive and high standard competition to judge, with many racecourses getting accolades and high praise from the panel. All courses deserve recognition for their dedication and hard work especially in a year which has been very challenging from an agronomy point of view.
“A hearty well done to all the winners. We would like to acknowledge York’s achievement for once again leading the flat racecourses despite the sad loss to cancer of their Assistant Head Groundsperson, Kevin Upton, who was a key member of the team for over 30 years.”
Dale Gibson, Executive Director (Racing) at the PJA, said: “Every year, without fail countless ground staff work tirelessly to produce a safe and effective racing surface for horses and jockeys. We witnessed unprecedented rainfall over several weeks earlier this year which meant many staff were challenged even more than usual.
“Everyone who was nominated deserves extra recognition with additional congratulations to the winning teams. The PJA and our safety officers continue to regularly work with venues and their ground staff on all aspects of track management.”
George Noad, Racing Industry Manager at the NTF, said: “The high quality of work undertaken by Groundstaff in difficult conditions this year has made it very difficult to pick winners. The awards have gone to Groundstaff who provide an excellent racing surface and continue to show improvements on the track. The hard work undertaken by Groundstaff is very important for the safety of all the sport’s participants.”
