Merrick Haydon, Revolution’s Managing Director of Sponsorship has been quoted in a recent report – The Business of Horse Racing – which was commissioned by Sport Business International with reports provided by Deloitte’s Sport Business Group.

PR Week

15 October 2010

Mick Fitzgerald, winning jockey of both the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup and the John Smith’s Aintree Grand National, today officially opened the newly refurbished Golden Miller champagne bar at Cheltenham Racecourse, the culmination of a £900,000 investment in the bar and catering facilities made by Jockey Club Catering (JCC) at the course since October 2009.

Golden Miller is the only racehorse to have won both of the UK’s premier steeplechase races – the Cheltenham Gold Cup and the Grand National – in the same year, so it was fitting for Fitzgerald to open the bar’s first bottle of champagne on the opening day of the Racecourse’s Jump racing season.

JCC’s investment to upgrade the existing, and hugely popular, Golden Miller has transformed the previously enclosed bar into a modern, spacious and fresh looking environment.

Gareth Evans, General Manager for JCC at Cheltenham Racecourse, said: “The capital expenditure that we are investing into all the bars and restaurants at Cheltenham Racecourse, including the new permanent bar and catering facilities in the Best Mate enclosure, will help to enhance the raceday experience for all levels of racegoer.”

Evans added: “Achieving a good quality and high standard of catering has always been central to the aims of Jockey Club Catering. By placing the demands of customers first, we are helping to drive revenues for Jockey Club Racecourses. Key to this is improving the catering experience for racegoers and developing facilities.”

Cheltenham Racecourse is one of 14 racecourses within the Jockey Club Racecourses group. Following an innovative 10-year joint venture between JCR and Compass Group UK & Ireland to create Jockey Club Catering, these leading racecourses are benefitting from large-scale investment to improve and modernise racecourse catering facilties.

Commenting at the launch of the new champagne bar, Fitzgerald said: “Golden Miller is a legend in the sport and particularly here at Cheltenham having won the Gold Cup a record five consecutive times.  It’s great to have such a smart new bar in his name and will be a big hit with the punters”.

Mick Fitzgerald, one of the most admired and popular jockeys of recent generations, also today launched his new book – The Cheltenham World of Jump Racing. With an illuminating foreword by Edward Gillespie, Managing Director of Cheltenham Racecourse, Fitzgerald invited us to enter his world and takes us through the pattern of the jumping year, its best races, chases, courses and horses.

Illustrated with spectacular pictures throughout, The Cheltenham World of Jump Racing conveys the unique passion and atmosphere of this golden sport.

-Ends-
 
Copyright free photographs of Mick Fitzgerald at the launch of the new bar are available for editorial use by clicking here

Photo 1 caption: l-r Cheltenham Racecourse’s Managing Director, Edward Gillespie and Mick Fitzgerald

Photo 2 caption: l-r Mick Fitzgerald and Cheltenham Racecourse’s Managing Director, Edward Gillespie

For further information please contact:

Rod Kohler      Tel:  0207 928 9999 
Revolution PR    Mob: 07770 647 662  

Sangeeta Suthar    Tel:  01895 554364
Compass Group UK & Ireland  Mob: 07876 217622

Notes for Editors:

About Jockey Club Racecourses

Jockey Club Racecourses is part of The Jockey Club. The Club’s trustee ownership ensures that the group’s profits are re-invested into racing. Jockey Club Racecourses comprises a diverse portfolio of 14 courses. Major events and races staged at Jockey Club Racecourses include the Cheltenham Festival, the John Smith’s Grand National as well as four of the five Classics, including the Derby.

Because of The Jockey Club’s unique experience and heritage and the strength of the Group today, Jockey Club Racecourses are able to successfully deliver competitive and best-of-class horse racing; maximising profit and re-investing in the future to ensure the long-term and sustainable success of the business.

About Compass Group UK & Ireland

Compass Group UK & Ireland has partnered with Jockey Club Racecourses to provide an unrivalled variety of food services at over 350 fixtures a year as well as hosting numerous events throughout the year across the Jockey Club Racecourses portfolio of 14 courses.

Compass Group UK & Ireland is part of Compass Group plc, the world’s leading foodservice company. We specialise in providing food, vending and related services on our clients’ premises and we generated annual revenues of over £13.4 billion in the year to 30 September 2009. The company operates across the following core sectors of Business & Industry, Defence, Offshore & Remote Site, Healthcare, Education, Sports & Leisure and Vending with an established brand portfolio.

For more information visit www.compass-group.co.uk

30 September 2010

Jockey Club Catering (JCC), the joint venture between Jockey Club Racecourses (JCR) and Compass Group UK & Ireland, has collected three awards, the highest tally of any racecourse caterer, at the inaugural Piper Heidsieck Champagne-sponsored National Racecourse Catering Awards at Goodwood Racecourse on Wednesday 22 September 2010.

The inaugural awards proved to be an emphatic success for JCC by winning the event’s most prestigious award for ‘Best Fine Dining Experience at a Racecourse’ with its Summer House Restaurant at Newmarket Racecourse’s July Course and also winning the award for ‘Best Bar at a Racecourse’ with its new Makerfield Lawn Bar at Haydock Park Racecourse.

JCC was the only racecourse caterer to be shortlisted in each of the four Racecourse catering categories, represented by Aintree Racecourse, Carlisle Racecourse, Cheltenham Racecourse, Newmarket Racecourses and Haydock Park Racecourse. Additionally, four out of the five Suppliers category awards were won by JCC suppliers.

Over 250 of horseracing’s catering elite gathered at Goodwood, on the 20th Anniversary of the annual Merbury Caterers’ Day, to recognise those individuals and companies responsible for excellence across the racecourse catering industry.

Among them, catering supremo Bob Reeves, Managing Director of Racing for Compass Group UK & Ireland, who is responsible for heading up the JCC business, was recognised for his outstanding individual contribution to catering in the racecourse industry over the past 25 years, and was awarded the esteemed ‘Catering Personality of the Year’ award.

Upon receiving his prize, Reeves, said: “Winning the Personality of the Year award is a huge honour and I’m incredibly proud. I have had the privilege of working with an amazing group of people at Jockey Club Catering, whose vision and talent are responsible for all of our success to date and I would like to thank them for everything they’ve done”.

Reeves has been a core member of the Sport, Leisure and Hospitality sector at Compass Group UK & Ireland for over 10 years and has been credited with the development of key personnel and the upgrading and modernisation of catering facilities at many of the UK’s premier Jockey Club Racecourses. Reeves’ most significant legacy has been the partnership, announced in 2009, between Compass Group UK and Ireland and JCR to create JCC, the largest provider of catering services to horseracing venues across the UK.

Extensive investment by JCC has already yielded substantial return, with the unveiling of new food and beverage experiences including the new Costa Coffee outlet within the refurbished food court at Sandown Park Racecourse and the new Pink Bar and Makerfield Lawn Bar at Haydock Park Racecourse eliciting an extremely positive response from customers.

THE 2010 AWARDS

Racecourses

1. Best Fine Dining Experience at a Racecourse
Summer House Restaurant, Newmarket Racecourses

2. Best Casual Dining/Fast Food Mobile Experience at a Racecourse 
Brasserie Restaurant, Lingfield Park Racecourse

3. Best Bar at a Racecourse
Makerfield Lawn Bar, Haydock Park Racecourse
        
4. Best New Catering Concept at a Racecourse
Bridles Restaurant, Ffos Las Racecourse

Judges Catering Excellence Award – York Racecourse

Suppliers

5. Best Foodservice Distributor 
3663 First for Foodservice     

6. Most Reliable and Effective Catering Equipment at a Racecourse 
Electrolux

7. Most Useful Catering Disposable Product at a Racecourse
Chill Bag Company  

8. Best New Catering Product used at a Racecourse 
Brothers Cider
  
9. Most Effective Catering System at a Racecourse
Service Scan
 
10. Catering Personality 
Bob Reeves, Jockey Club Catering, Compass Group UK & Ireland

Ivor Spreadbury of Merbury Catering Consultants, organisers of the inaugural awards, commented: “Catering plays an integral part of the raceday experience and we are thrilled with the support and results of today’s event. The awards have recognised the very best in racecourse catering and we hope that by highlighting the elite, this will we have a trickle-down effect throughout the industry.”

-Ends-

Copyright free photographs of each of the three Jockey Club Catering Award Winners at the National Racecourse Catering Awards are available for editorial use by clicking here, credit Bob Williams.

Photo 1 caption: l-r Victor Lanson, marketing controller, First Drinks, UK agent for Champagnes Piper-Heidsieck; Bob Reeves, Jockey Club Catering; Lesley Graham, Channel 4 Racing

Photo 2 caption: l-r Victor Lanson, Champagnes Piper-Heidsieck; Stephen Allison, General Manager Newmarket, Jockey Club Catering; Lesley Graham, Channel 4 Racing

Photo 3 caption: l-r Lanson, Champagnes Piper-Heidsieck; Stephen Reed, General Manager Haydock Park, Jockey Club Catering; Lesley Graham, Channel 4 Racing

For further information please contact:
Rod Kohler                                      Tel:  0207 928 9999 
Revolution PR                                 Mob: 07770 647 662  

Sangeeta Suthar                             Tel:  01895 554364
Compass Group UK & Ireland          Mob: 07876 217622

Notes for Editors:

About Jockey Club Racecourses

Jockey Club Racecourses is part of The Jockey Club. The Club’s trustee ownership ensures that the group’s profits are re-invested into racing. Jockey Club Racecourses comprises a diverse portfolio of 14 courses. Major events and races staged at Jockey Club Racecourses include the Cheltenham Festival, the John Smith’s Grand National as well as four of the five Classics, including the Derby.

Because of The Jockey Club’s unique experience and heritage and the strength of the Group today, Jockey Club Racecourses are able to successfully deliver competitive and best-of-class horse racing; maximising profit and re-investing in the future to ensure the long-term and sustainable success of the business.

About Compass Group UK & Ireland
Compass Group UK & Ireland has partnered with Jockey Club Racecourses to provide an unrivalled variety of food services at over 350 fixtures a year as well as hosting numerous events throughout the year across the Jockey Club Racecourses portfolio of 14 courses.

Compass Group UK & Ireland is part of Compass Group plc, the world’s leading foodservice company. We specialise in providing food, vending and related services on our clients’ premises and we generated annual revenues of over £13.4 billion in the year to 30 September 2009. The company operates across the following core sectors of Business & Industry, Defence, Offshore & Remote Site, Healthcare, Education, Sports & Leisure and Vending with an established brand portfolio.

For more information visit www.compass-group.co.uk

20 September 2010

Sandown Park Racecourse has joined forces with Costa Coffee to enhance the customer experience for visitors to the leading venue. The Costa Coffee outlet, situated within the racecourse food court is now open following the culmination of a long-term £150,000 investment into refurbishing the entire food court area at the racecourse in Esher, Surrey.

Sandown Park is one of 14 racecourses within the Jockey Club Racecourses group (JCR). Following an innovative 10-year joint venture between JCR and Compass Group UK & Ireland to create Jockey Club Catering (JCC), these leading racecourses are benefitting from large-scale investment to improve and modernise racecourse catering facilties.

JCC’s investment to upgrade the existing food court at Sandown Park has transformed the area with the introduction of the Costa Coffee experience, as well as a series of revamped food and beverage outlets. Bringing the coffee franchise on-course is a significant accomplishment, as it is unusual to see high-street food or beverage franchises co-existing alongside traditional catering outlets in racecourses.

Since opening, the reaction from the public has been exceptional. David Mackinnon, Managing Director for Sandown Park Racecourse, said: “The Costa Coffee outlet has been incredibly well-received, both from racegoers and from our non-raceday event customers, and has allowed us to improve the catering experience.”

Bob Reeves, Managing Director of Racing for Compass Group UK & Ireland, who is responsible for heading up the JCC business, added: “Achieving a good quality and high standard of catering has always been central to the aims of Jockey Club Catering.

“By placing the demands of customers first, we are helping to drive revenues for Jockey Club Racecourses. Key to this is improving the catering experience for racegoers and developing facilities that are highly attractive for conferences and exhibitions participants and organisers.”

Having an outside franchise on site has meant an increased amount of specialist training for staff. All JCC teams who will work at the new outlet, including managers, were required to go on a training course which focused on meeting the high standards of the Costa Coffee brand.

Teams have been trained to be baristas and produce coffee on a par with Costa’s stringent expectations and standards of customer service. Now open, strict measures are taken to ensure a consistent standard of coffee is produced at all times.

-Ends-
 
For further information please contact:
Rod Kohler                                                 Tel:  0207 928 9999 
Revolution PR                                            Mob: 07770 647 662  

Sangeeta Suthar                                         Tel:  01895 554 364
Compass Group UK & Ireland                      Mob: 07876 217 622

Notes for Editors:

About Jockey Club Racecourses

Jockey Club Racecourses is part of The Jockey Club. The Club’s trustee ownership ensures that the group’s profits are re-invested into racing. Jockey Club Racecourses comprises a diverse portfolio of 14 courses. Major events and races staged at Jockey Club Racecourses include the Cheltenham Festival, the John Smith’s Grand National as well as four of the five Classics, including the Derby.

Because of The Jockey Club’s unique experience and heritage and the strength of the Group today, Jockey Club Racecourses are able to successfully deliver competitive and best-of-class horse racing; maximising profit and re-investing in the future to ensure the long-term and sustainable success of the business.

About Compass Group UK & Ireland

Compass Group UK & Ireland has partnered with Jockey Club Racecourses to provide an unrivalled variety of food services at over 350 fixtures a year as well as hosting numerous events throughout the year across the Jockey Club Racecourses portfolio of 14 courses.

Compass Group UK & Ireland is part of Compass Group plc, the world’s leading foodservice company. We specialise in providing food, vending and related services on our clients’ premises and we generated annual revenues of over £13.4 billion in the year to 30 September 2009. The company operates across the following core sectors of Business & Industry, Defence, Offshore & Remote Site, Healthcare, Education, Sports & Leisure and Vending with an established brand portfolio.

For more information visit www.compass-group.co.uk.

4 August 2010

The 20 Premiership teams that will be competing for the 2010 PFA Football Furlong trophy were officially unveiled on Monday evening at this year’s host venue – Royal Windsor Racecourse.

Premiership stalwarts Manchester United, Spurs and Chelsea will as ever be represented, but fans will also be able to see newcomers Wolverhampton Wanderers and Blackpool who will be competing for the Football Furlong trophy for the first time.

Spurs supremo – Harry Redknapp – was also unveiled as the event’s official ambassador, hailing: “there’s nowhere better than racing at Windsor – it’s always special there. I think the easiest way to find a winner will be for fans to pick their horses by their team’s colours – it might be easier than going on the horses form!”

Matthew Foxton-Duffy, Sales & Marketing Manager at Royal Windsor Racecourse said: “It’s fantastic to have Harry Redknapp on board and coming to Windsor on Sunday for Football Furlong day.  He is a legend in the football world and we are really looking forward to a great day of football activities and top class racing – we just hope Spurs can win the Football Furlong trophy for Harry too!”

The PFA-partnered Football Furlong event is the one day of the year when the sports of football and horse racing come together.  All the jockeys wear the representative generic colours of the 20 Premiership football clubs rather than the traditional silks of the owners of the horses they are riding. Horses and jockeys accrue points for the teams which go towards a league table throughout the day.

Football Furlong was first won by Tottenham Hotspur at the inaugural event in 2004. The London based clubs are well represented with Fulham, Arsenal, Chelsea, West Ham and Spurs, who will all looking to win their first silverware of the season. 

Before racing begins at Royal Windsor Racecourse, the 2010 PFA Football Furlong Mascot Challenge will be run, with sporting mascots galloping along the final furlong of the racecourse. The first three mascots across the line qualify for a special penalty shootout against a top goalkeeper.

Gates open at Royal Windsor Racecourse on Sunday, 8 August at 12pm.  The first race is at 2.30pm.  Admission: £9 Silver Ring Enclosure; £17 Grandstand Enclosure; £23 Club Enclosure.  Racegoers under 18 free when accompanied by an adult. More details about Royal Windsor Racecourse can be found at www.windsor-racecourse.co.uk

ENDS

Photo Caption:

Invited racegoers pose in 2010-2011 Premiership team silks, with Scotty the Stag from Windsor & Eton FC

For further media information, please contact:

Rod Kohler 
Tel: 0207 928 9999
Mob: 07770 647662
Managing Director
Revolution Sports Marketing Group 

Kate Hills
Tel: 01342 834 800
Mob: 07813 947201
Director of Public Relations & Communications 
Arena Leisure Racing 

Disclaimer: Neither Football Furlong or any other parties associated with the event are authorised by or associated with any of the Clubs or The Premier League.

2 August 2010

Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp has made a shock start to the Premiership pre-season – by signing to the PFA Football Furlong.

Spurs fans need not worry – their supremo has only signed to be the Official Ambassador to the unique football-themed race day at Royal Windsor Racecourse on Sunday 8 August and has no plans to leave the London club!

The PFA-partnered Football Furlong event is the one day of the year when the sports of football and horse racing come together.

All the jockeys wear the representative generic colours of the 20 Premiership football clubs rather than the traditional silks of the owners of the horses they are riding. Horses and jockeys accrue points for the teams which go towards a league table throughout the day.

Football Furlong was first won by Tottenham Hotspur at the inaugural event in 2004. The London based clubs are well represented with Fulham, Arsenal, Chelsea, West Ham and Spurs, who will all looking to win their first silverware of the season. 

Redknapp said, “The PFA Football Furlong raceday is a great way for fans to back their teams before the season starts. It’s sure to be a cracking day out and great fun for all the supporters – there’s a free football masterclass, prizes for the best dressed fans and a mascot race – as well as six top class races”.

Before racing begins at Royal Windsor Racecourse, the 2010 PFA Football Furlong Mascot Challenge will be run, with sporting mascots galloping along the final furlong of the racecourse. The first three mascots across the line qualify for a special penalty shootout against a top goalkeeper.

Gates open at Royal Windsor Racecourse on Sunday, 8 August at 12pm.  The first race is at 2.30pm.  Admission: £9 Silver Ring Enclosure; £17 Grandstand Enclosure; £23 Club Enclosure.  Racegoers under 18 free when accompanied by an adult. More details about Royal Windsor Racecourse can be found at www.windsor-racecourse.co.uk

ENDS

For further media information, please contact:

Rod Kohler
Tel: 0207 928 9999
Mob: 07770 647662
Managing Director
Revolution Sports Marketing Group   

Kate Hills
Tel: 01342 834 800
Mob: 07813 947201
Director of Public Relations & Communications 
Arena Leisure Racing 

Disclaimer: Neither Football Furlong or any other parties associated with the event are authorised by or associated with any of the Clubs or The Premier League.

FOOTBALL FURLONG was today officially launched at Royal Windsor Racecourse by top jockeys Kieren Fallon and Hayley Turner.

The event will see jockeys racing in the generic colours of the 20 Premiership football clubs rather than the traditional silks of the owners of the horses they are riding.
 
The horses and jockeys accrue points for the teams that they represent, which go towards a league table throughout the day’s racing. The team with the highest number of points after the sixth race on Sunday, 8 August 2010 will be crowned the 2010 Football Furlong champion.

Chelsea FC will be supporting the event through its Football in the Community programme by running free football masterclasses for up to 2,000 children at the racecourse before racing starts. There will also be a host of other football related activities including a penalty shoot out, human football tables and appearances from Premiership footballers and football personalities.

With all accompanied children under the age of 18 being admitted to the racecourse free of charge, and adult admission starting at just £9, it’s an affordable day out for all the family.
 
Matthew Foxton-Duffy, Sales & Marketing Manager at Royal Windsor Racecourse, said:
“Football Furlong is an extremely exciting prospect, which has proved very successful in recent years at Haydock Park and Leopardstown Racecourses. It is a groundbreaking initiative that has been added to the Royal Windsor Racecourse fixtures calendar, and we look forward to welcoming a new crowd of racing fans to the racecourse and to the sport.
 
“With the event being held on the same day as the FA Community Shield it will be great to see how Chelsea and Manchester United fare in a horseracing environment.”
 
Before racing begins at Royal Windsor Racecourse, the 2010 Football Furlong Mascot Challenge will be run, with sporting mascots galloping along the final furlong of the racecourse. The first three mascots across the line qualify for a special penalty shootout against a top goalkeeper.
 
Headline sponsorship is now available with overall event title naming rights, including jockey’s branding on the special football silks, providing significant brand awareness, promotional and VIP hospitality benefits.

Gates open at Royal Windsor Racecourse on Sunday, 8 August at 12pm.  The first race is at 2.30pm.  Admission: £9 Silver Ring Enclosure; £17 Grandstand Enclosure; £23 Club Enclosure.  Racegoers under 18 free when accompanied by an adult. More details about Royal Windsor Racecourse can be found at www.windsor-racecourse.co.uk

Copyright free image. Caption: Top jockeys Kieren Fallon and Hayley Turner battle for 2010 Football Furlong Trophy being staged at Royal Windsor Racecourse on Sunday 8 August 2010.

ENDS
 
For further information, please contact:

Matthew Foxton-Duffy, Sales & Marketing Manager at Royal Windsor Racecourse, on 01753 498 442; or Rod Kohler at Football Furlong on 0207 928 9999