Wincanton Racecourse, winner of the Judge’s Choice Award and the Diversity Inclusion Award at the 2025 Racecourse Association Showcase Awards
Tabled 27 November 2025 by Sarah Dyke
That this House congratulates Wincanton Racecourse on winning both the Judge’s Choice Award and the Diversity and Inclusion Award at the 2025 Racecourse Association Showcase Awards; recognises that Wincanton Racecourse received the Judge’s Choice Award owing to their exceptional delivery of the Keagan Kirkby Memorial Raceday, in memory of the work rider, who tragically died whilst riding in point-to-point race, which raised £116,000 to support Racing Welfare and the Injured Jockeys Fund; further recognises the excellent work of Blaithin Murphy and her team, having received the Diversity and Inclusion Award for their Paddock Society Initiative, opening their doors to the local community to help overcome rural isolation and loneliness by utilising a wellbeing space to hold monthly coffee mornings; understands that Wincanton Racecourse serves as a central pillar to the local economy, supporting jobs, attracting tourism and sustaining a network of businesses across the rural community; and expresses relief at the Government’s decision to keep horseracing’s remote betting duty at its current rate of 15%, ensuring racecourses can remain viable, thriving and able to act as leading community hubs, so places like Wincanton Racecourse can continue to provide inclusive and charitable initiatives.