Ripon pays out on Best Small Racecourse in the North award

This is the fifth time that Yorkshire’s Garden Racecourse has been honoured with the award by the members of The Racegoers Club.

The award follows substantial maintenance and refurbishment work which has seen the racecourse invest in various new bar facilities as well as the introduction of their own on-course betting operator ‘RiponBET’.

There will also be three new hospitality rooms introduced for the 2015 season, which starts with an afternoon of racing on Thursday, April 16, after increased demand.

James Hutchinson, managing director and clerk of the course said he was thrilled to bring the title back to Ripon’ and promised another ‘exciting summer’.

He said: “We pride ourselves on trying not only to meet, but also to exceed our customers’ expectations.

“We have another exciting summer of racing ahead and this is a fantastic way to start our season.”

Bill Bailey, marketing executive of The Racegoers Club, said he was ‘delighted’ to award Ripon with the title once again before encouraging fellow members to visit for a ‘fantastic day out’.

He said: “The friendly staff at Ripon have done a wonderful job delivering excellent facilities that our members regularly praise.

“It’s a beautiful setting and the easy access to the parade ring and viewing areas make a day out at Ripon a pleasure.”

Ripon Races said that the Board of Directors were ‘committed to continuing investment to keep building on the great quality racing and functionality of the racecourse’.

A statement read: “These prestigious awards are always eagerly anticipated by the racecourses.

“With the Club’s 5,000 strong membership going racing on average over 30 times per year, and travelling far and wide thanks to the club’s extensive concession scheme and diary of social events, no-one is better qualified to reward the worthy national and regional winners.”