Chester Racecourse Awarded 2022 Gold Standard Status by the ROA

Chester Racecourse has been awarded Gold Standard status for 2022 by the Racehorse Owners Association, as part of the ROA Accreditation Scheme.

One of just 12 racecourses to receive the highly-coveted accolade, Chester is renowned for providing an exemplary experience for racehorse owners.

Launched in 2019, the ROA Accreditation Scheme, assessed by AA Hospitality Services, independently reviews the raceday experience of owners using a defined set of criteria, providing each course with a quality mark based on performance. Those achieving a rating of at least 80 per cent are then assessed for the ROA Gold Standard award, which was first handed out in 2006.

Measuring 50 aspects of the raceday, from pre-arrival, through to all aspects of the day, the departure and post-raceday contact, the ROA’s Accreditation Scheme works in close collaboration with racecourses to enhance the experience for owners, and to help recognise the commitment and contribution that they make to the sport.

A dedicated owners and trainers’ team is in place at Chester Racecourse to maintain strong relationships and works hard to deliver consistency and quality across every race day.

The course, in receipt of the Gold Standard award ever since its inception, cemented a top two finish in the ROA Accreditation Scheme table and was one of only four courses to receive a quality score above 90 per cent.

Steve Davies, Chief Operating Officer at Chester Racecourse, said:

“The racecourse prides itself on the high standards it sets and is delighted to have retained the Gold Standard award from the ROA ever since it was established.

“This award reinforces Chester’s status as one of the UK’s leading courses and is testament to the hard work of our dedicated team, who provide such a memorable experience for racehorse owners on a consistent basis.

“The results of this survey follow on from our recent success in the Quality Assured Racecourse Scheme, which saw Chester Racecourse ranked in the top 10 for guest experience and named the winner in the Taste of Racecourses category.

“We all now look forward to building on these achievements, as we prepare to welcome everybody back to Chester Racecourse for what will be an exciting 2023 season.”

Chester Racecourse is proud of the service that it provides to owners and trainers, which includes a three-course lunch, half a bottle of wine, seat/table for the day in a private enclosure and access to two viewing terraces.

If you are an owner or trainer and would like further information, please email ownersandtrainers@chester-races.com