Racecourse Groundstaff
Awards Announced The winners of the prestigious 2009 Neil Wyatt Racecourse Groundstaff Awards announced
THE award for the best Flat racecourse went to York Racecourse, the Dual Purpose award to Newcastle Racecourse, and Plumpton Racecourse received the award for best Jump track.
Fornells and Amenity Land Solutions, the awards, organised by the Racecourse Association, are in their fourteenth year and recognise the achievements of racecourse groundstaff.
The judging panel comprised representatives of the National Trainers Federation and Professional Jockeys’ Association, with support from the BHA Course Inspectors. Members of the panel also took the
Sponsored by Pitchcare, in association with
opportunity to praise the considerable efforts of the all-wether courses in continuing to stage racing during the recent bad weather. Richard Linley, Senior BHA Inspector of
Courses, said: “It is encouraging that each year it gets more difficult to select winners. 2009 saw some really pro-active displays of groundsmanship in what was a particularly difficult year for many racecourses due to the high rainfall. It is a shame that we can only recognise three courses in these awards as there are many other deserving teams.” Rupert Arnold from the National Trainers
Federation said: “As usual, the awards were fiercely fought over and the panel had a tough
job separating the nominations. There was particularly strong competition in the Flat section with several courses deserving winners in any other year, but York was outstanding. The commitment of groundstaff to high standards around British racecourses is commendable.” Dale Gibson from the Professional Jockeys’ Association said, “It was great to see areas of the sport from the other side of the fence. The racecourse nominations contained detailed analysis which we debated hard. There were a number of very strong submissions. York racecourse had an outstanding season in 2009 and thoroughly deserved the award for the consistency of racing ground following their massive drainage work over last winter and spring. The whole team worked together to ensure confidence returned to the Knavesmire.” William Derby, Clerk of the Course and Chief Executive at York said, “I am truly delighted for our hard working team here at the Knavesmire, and we are honoured to be recognised with such a prestigious award. Led by Adrian Kay, our Head Groundsman, the team have not only completed one of the largest track projects seen on a British Racecourse. They deserve great credit and we are very proud. This award is a tribute to a large number of people who have invested their time, expertise and effort in developing
the racing surface at York and I would like to thank and pay tribute to them.” James Armstrong, Clerk of Course at
Newcastle Racecourse, which won the Dual Purpose award said, “We are honoured and delighted to have been given such a prestigious award. It is a testament to the unfailing dedication of the groundstaff here at Newcastle Racecourse and I would like to thank them for all their hard work, which has seen them battling against the elements time and again to ensure that we have the best possible conditions for racing”. Mark Cornford, Clerk of the Course said
“We are thrilled that Plumpton’s efforts have been recognised in these prestigious awards named in honour of Neil Wyatt. Neil was a great supporter of racecourses such as ours and gave us tremendous encouragement during his tenure as Senior Inspector of Courses for The Jockey Club.” John Richards, Operations Director of Pitchcare commented, “We are delighted to sponsor these fiercely contested awards. Groundstaff at racecourses are highly regarded in the sports turf industry, their work is critical to the safety of the horses and jockeys and, as such, the ongoing success of the sport.” The awards will be presented at a race
meeting at each of the courses over the next few months.
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