Cheltenham Voted Racecourse of the year 2008

Cheltenham Racecourse has created history by being voted Racegoers Club Racecourse of the Year by the Club's members for a record fifth consecutive year.

With The Racegoers Club's membership comprising almost 6,000 of the sport's keenest supporters who go racing on average 31 times per year, the awards come direct from racecourses' core customer base and therefore hold real importance amongst British racecourses.

For the first time ever Ascot finished second in the vote, and look likely to remain in favour with Club members in 2009 when they provide every member with £10 off Premier or Grandstand admission on King George Day in July, meaning they can save half the cost of their annual subscription in just one visit.

The full list of regional awards is as follows:


Scotland & North East: Racecourse of the Year AYR
Best Small Racecourse PERTH


North: Racecourse of the Year YORK

Best Small Racecourse CARTMEL



North Midlands: Racecourse of the Year CHESTER

Best Small Racecourse UTTOXETER



South Midlands & Racecourse of the Year CHELTENHAM

East Anglia Best Small Racecourse HUNTINGDON



South West: Racecourse of the Year NEWBURY

Best Small Racecourse WINCANTON



South East: Racecourse of the Year ASCOT

Best Small Racecourse FONTWELL PARK


Edward Gillespie, Managing Director at Cheltenham Racecourse commented, "To win The Racegoers Club Racecourse of the Year Award is always important to us as it shows that the Cheltenham experience is one that is enjoyed by regular racing fans. Their support means a lot, particularly given the circumstances of March, and to become the first racecourse to win five years in a row makes it even more special."

The Club is designed specifically to benefit racegoers, mainly via an admission concession scheme, and is supported by every British racecourse. This applies to 1,358 fixtures in 2009 - 92% of fixtures, with the minimum discount being £3 rising to as much as £5 at Ascot, Goodwood and Market Rasen, and £6 at Wetherby. 32 courses offer discounts at all of their fixtures and for the first time in 2009 two meetings offer discounts of £10 (at Ascot and Goodwood).

Racehorse syndicates on the flat and over jumps are also available, along with private social events nationwide, stable visits and quarterly newsletters.


The cost for 2009 is just £20 single membership or £34 double membership.


For more information contact The Racegoers Club's Chairman John Phillips on 07899 738554 or at john.phillips@racecourseassociation.co.uk, or visit www.racegoersclub.co.uk.