CHAMPION GROUNDSTAFF TEAM OF THE YEAR NAMED

Plumpton Racecourse has been named Champion Groundstaff team of the year at the recent Racecourse Groundstaff Awards.
 
Plumpton, already a winner in the awards as the jump racecourse of the year, faced off competition from the other two individual category winners (Hamilton Park, flat racecourse and Ayr, dual purpose racecourse) to receive the Champion crown. 

The award was presented at the Racecourse Association’s (RCA) Showcase Awards ceremony held at Aintree Racecourse on Thursday 23rd November. 

The Racecourse Groundstaff Awards judges commented on Plumpton’s proactive and forward-thinking attitude and their exceptional work on the track. The racecourse grounds team has been innovative and has invested time and energy into producing a safe track with equine welfare at the forefront. The team carried out drainage works, they changed all their hurdles to padded hurdles, in turn reducing their faller rate significantly and they have also installed a new surface on their two road crossings which can be manipulated to create a more consistent Going. 

Ayr, Hamilton and Plumpton were visited by an independent agronomist, who reviewed their soil test results and fertiliser programmes as well as assessing each racecourse against the Performance Quality Standards (PQS), the results were very close and identified Plumpton as the Groundstaff Champion. 

Marcus Waters, clerk of the course at Plumpton Racecourse, said, “Winning the Champion Groundstaff Award is an amazing achievement and I am so proud of all the team for all the hard work they out in through the year. 

“The backing we have had from the managers and owners of the racecourse is second to none. It is clear that they truly value the importance of the racing surface. Thank you to all the sponsors and horsemen for all their support.” 

Holly Cook, Racecourse Services Manager at the RCA, said: “The RCA is proud to manage and support the Racecourse Groundstaff Awards, which are run with the support of our sponsors at Agrovista, DLF and Duralock, to whom we are very grateful. 

“This highly coveted award recognises the hard work and vital contribution of racecourse groundstaff teams, and our congratulations go to the team at Plumpton Racecourse.”