RCA announces results of 2025 Quality Assured Racecourse Scheme

• Average raceday experience score increases year-on-year as per AA assessments.
• 14 racecourses score in excess of 90%, denoting ‘excellence’ for raceday experience.
• York Racecourse awarded three RCA Excellence Accolades.
• Sandown Park and Uttoxeter most improved racecourses.

14 racecourses received a score of 90% or higher in the Racecourse Association’s (RCA) 2025 Quality Assured Racecourse Scheme (QARS), denoting ‘excellence’ in raceday experience offered to customers.

In alphabetical order: Aintree, Ascot, Epsom Downs, Hamilton Park, Haydock Park, Kelso, Market Rasen, Musselburgh, Newbury, Newmarket, Perth, Sandown Park, Warwick and York Racecourses were all confirmed as the best of 2025 following ‘mystery shop’ style assessments from The AA, the leading provider of professional assessment and accreditation for the hospitality industry in the UK.

Five of these racecourses also picked up awards at the 2025 RCA Showcase last November, confirming the high levels of service and raceday experience offered.

Each racecourse listed as 2025’s elite offered an exemplary customer experience with elevated levels of customer service, attentiveness to site cleanliness, appropriate and enticing marketing for the specific raceday and a plethora of quality food and beverage outlets at a variety of price points.

Assessments took place at all RCA member racecourses throughout the year, with assessors observing all elements of the raceday experience including both pre and post event. The average score for British racecourses in 2025 was 85.7%, a 0.9% increase from 2024.

Sandown Park and Uttoxeter were the most improved racecourses in 2025 following 8% point increases on their respective scores. The assessors highlighted the major enhancements made at both racecourses; Sandown Park’s staff customer service, catering provision and commitment from its leadership team were commended, whilst Uttoxeter’s site cleanliness, presence of staff throughout the day and streamlined queue management aided the racecourse’s gain in score. 

In addition to the assessments, racecourses which scored particularly high in specific areas were eligible to win RCA Excellence Accolades. RCA Excellence Accolades are offered in areas which are paramount to the raceday experience: staff customer service and welcome, toilet provision and standard, site cleanliness and food & beverage. Benchmarks for RCA Excellence Accolades are purposefully set high in order to reward the very best practice emanating from British racecourses.

York Racecourse was awarded three RCA Excellence Accolades in 2025 (‘Spotless & Sparkling’, Taste of Racecourses: Food and Warmest Welcome), whilst Beverley, Kelso, Epsom Downs, Market Rasen, Musselburgh and Newmarket were awarded two RCA Excellence Accolades each. The complete list of RCA Excellence Accolade winners is provided below.

Paul Swain, Head of Raceday Experience & Communications at the RCA, commented: “I am delighted to see the overall scores for raceday experience increase year-on-year as confirmed by The AA, an objective, leading authority. The mix of venues scoring over 90% reflects the unique atmosphere and experience offered by Britain’s racecourses; be it jump or flat, summer or winter, north or south—customers can be sure of a fantastic experience when they go racing.

“To score highly on this assessment is a mark of genuine excellence. Racecourses work tirelessly to continue to raise standards in all elements of the raceday experience, and teams across the country should be commended for this ongoing development.

“The RCA looks forward to collaborating with members to maintain this momentum, which combined with the recent news of attendance growth represents another positive story for the sport.”

Simon Numphud, Managing Director of AA Media, commented: “It has been a real testament to the racecourses that 2025 saw an increase in the overall quality scores, when the scoring thresholds have been increased across the board, truly highlighting the hard work and commitment that each racecourse and their respective teams strive for.

“We look forward to working again with The RCA and all the individual racecourses to push the boundaries even further in 2026.”