The CEO Column: A celebration of ownership
What an exceptional evening we enjoyed at the ROA Horseracing Awards in December, a night dedicated to celebrating owners and the horses who lit up our racecourses over the past year. I was particularly delighted to see Calandagan crowned ROA Horse of the Year and JP McManus retain his title as ROA Owner of the Year, recognising his outstanding ongoing commitment to our sport.
Princess Zahra Aga Khan accepted the Horse of the Year award on behalf of The Aga Khan Studs with a heartfelt and emotional tribute to Calandagan’s remarkable season and her late father, the Aga Khan.
JP McManus used his acceptance speech to thoughtfully highlight the dedicated people who care for our horses day in, day out, a timely reminder of the teamwork and passion behind every
success.
This year we also introduced two new awards celebrating syndicates and racing clubs, a vital and growing part of the ownership landscape. Both Basher Watts Racing and Barraston Racing & Mr J S Goldie shared the inaugural Small Syndicate of the Year title, while Middleham Park Racing claimed the Large Syndicate award, reflecting their success across both codes.
Beyond the trophies and celebrations, these awards play a much deeper role. Our recent owner insight research told us clearly that while the emotional return of ownership can be extraordinary, all too often it doesn’t match the financial investment owners pour into the sport.
Recognition matters and shining a spotlight on success is one powerful way we can help strengthen that emotional reward.
As we look ahead to 2026, we remain focused on celebrating ownership in all its forms, on and off the racecourse. While not every moment can be trophy-shaped, we know every owner experiences highs, milestones and memories that deserve to be recognised. Working with the industry, we will continue to explore new and meaningful ways to highlight those stories throughout the year, and to ensure owners feel valued at every stage of the journey.
Whether you own a single horse or are one of hundreds in a syndicate, every owner brings passion, hope and heart to racing. The Awards are our chance to honour that contribution publicly, to celebrate the stories, the dedication, and the sheer joy this sport gives us.
To everyone who joined us: thank you for helping make the night such a positive celebration of ownership. And to all our winners and nominees, we are proud to recognise you. Here’s to building even more moments worth celebrating in the year ahead.