Findings from the field - June and July
Over June and early July, I’ve continued travelling around the country, meeting owners and ROA members at racecourses and training yards. These visits are always invaluable, offering a direct line into your experiences, concerns, and ambitions for the sport we all care about.
A standout month for racing
June delivered one of the highlights of the racing calendar: a truly memorable Royal Ascot. It was everything we could have hoped for: world-class racing, compelling stories, an electric atmosphere, and glorious weather.
But more than that, it was a powerful reminder of the essential role owners play in making these moments possible. Without your ongoing support and passion, events like Royal Ascot simply wouldn’t exist in the form we know and love.
What Growth Really Means
Our theme this month is growth and Royal Ascot has given us the perfect platform to reflect on how we can build on that success.
Growth in racing isn’t just about more runners or attendees. It’s about:
- Expanding the sport’s reach and appeal to new audiences
- Improving the ownership experience – from the racecourse to centrally from British Racing
- Celebrating and supporting individual owners, like you, whose investment underpins every part of our industry
At the ROA, we’re focused on championing that kind of growth. That means strong representation, meaningful member benefits, and, crucially, listening and responding to your feedback. Recent conversations with members have raised clear priorities, from enhancing racecourse experiences and digital communications to improving member services. Your insights are shaping how we move forward, and please do read my colleague Kate Freeman’s recent update on the work she is leading on together with the industry around the owner experience – link here.
Share Your Ownership Story
At the heart of ownership is the horse/human connection. The moments, memories, and emotions that make this sport so special. We want to spotlight more of these stories and celebrate the owners behind them.
If you have a story that captures your ownership journey, particularly the connection you’ve built with your horse we’d love to hear from you. Whether it’s a special win, a behind-the-scenes moment, or simply what your horse means to you, your experience could inspire others.
Please send your stories (and any photos you'd like to share) to [email protected]. While we can’t promise to feature every submission, we’ll looking to regularly spotlight in future newsletters and across our channels.
I’ll be back on the road over the coming weeks and look forward to seeing you trackside. You can find details of my upcoming visits here.