Beverley Racecourse could have double cause for celebration after having been named finalists in two categories at the Racecourse Association Showcase & Awards 2016.
The East Yorkshire venue was nominated in both the #TopSpot and the All About The Horse categories at the RCA’s annual awards ceremony held at Doncaster Racecourse on Thursday, November 17.
Beverley Racecourse impressed an independent judging panel for the #TopSpot award – rewarding creative racecourse schemes to engage their guests – following the track’s fun and innovative staging of the Donkey Derby, held at the Very British Raceday meeting on May 28.
The Donkey Derby has become an internet sensation, having been viewed two million times on Facebook, with nearly 5.7m people reached worldwide.
Beverley Racecourse have also been shortlisted for the All About The Horse award for the track’s attempts to bring together horseracing and cycling in ‘Racing Le Tour’ on April 29.
With the Tour de Yorkshire having started on the road directly adjacent to Beverley Racecourse, the course was recognised by judges for using this unique opportunity to help promote horses and horseracing to a new audience.
Eight retrained racehorses – their riders in yellow silks – cantered on the course for around four furlongs in unison with the peloton as it charged out of Beverley to signal the beginning of race.
Beverley chief executive Sally Iggulden said: “The RCA Showcase & Awards are stronger than ever this year, so we are deeply proud to have been named finalists in two categories.
“This will be Beverley’s fifth consecutive appearance at the ceremony, which is something we are also very pleased about.
“We perhaps lack the artillery of some of the bigger tracks across the land, so it’s really exciting to have two live chances in such esteemed company.”
Racecourse Association Chairman Maggie Carver added: “I am delighted for the team at Beverley.
“It’s an amazing achievement to be named as a finalist and inspiring to see such a wide range of racecourses on the lists.”
