ROA Racecourse Quality Mark and ROA Gold Standard to restart

The ROA is pleased to announce that the ROA Racecourse Quality Mark and ROA Gold Standard will be reactivated from March 2022 as we look to continue our work to improve the raceday experience for Owners and other attendees.  

The ROA see racecourse experience as a huge part of the ownership experience and vital to retaining and attracting owners and spectators now and in the future. The ROA Racecourse Quality Mark is an important of the ROA’s work to engage racecourses in the feedback from Owners, which has continued throughout the pandemic. 

Charlie Parker, President of the ROA, said: “We have seen time and again in our surveys that the raceday experience is so important to Owners. We are focussed on trying to improve standards and facilities across the UK. It is good for the whole of racing, attracting new fans, new owners and new investment.  

“Ultimately, we know that to compete internationally and grow we need to keep improving the experience and the Quality Mark will support that work. We are looking forward to working with the racecourses on the reactivation and giving Owners and spectators the facilities they deserve.” 

Despite the pandemic, the ROA have continued to engage with Owners, racecourses and attendees to inform the latest criteria which has been built upon since 2019. Working alongside racecourses, the newly restarted scheme will look to further improve racecourse facilities with new clear and improved parameters that create a 360 degree raceday experience that accommodates all types of owners, from syndicates to super owners.  

Owners are encouraged to submit their racecourse experience feedback to the ROA, to support the Racecourse Quality Mark scheme: https://www.roa.co.uk/raceday/feedback.html 

The key updates to the scheme relate to: 

Pass Mark - The 2019 ROA Quality Mark was developed with a “Pass Mark” of 60%.  In order to recognise the evolution of the Quality Mark and service expectations the ROA have recommended that the 2022 Quality Mark is awarded on the basis of achieving a score of 70%. 

Prize Money – The 2022 ROA Quality Mark will assess prize money levels in reference to minimum values, with bands and scoring according to a racecourse average daily surplus percentage. This measurement will be developed collaboratively.  

Measurement Against 2019 Recommendations - Reference will be made to the recommendations delivered to racecourses in the 2019 ROA Quality Mark reports, and whether these have been considered and delivered against.   

Covid Protocols – The impact of any potential future Covid measures will be incorporated as required within the 2022 ROA Quality Mark.  

ROA Gold Standard – Racecourses achieving 80% or above are to be assessed separately.  The top performing racecourses would also receive recognition via an ROA Gold Standard.  These would be awarded by the ROA Gold Standard Committee with reference to: 

• Quality Mark scores 

• ROA Member feedback 

• Reference to NARS Racecourse Assessments  

Pre and Post Raceday - The 2022 ROA Quality Mark will assess delivery of the raceday experience before and after the raceday. For many, this is equally important to making Owners feel valued, from the direct correspondence outlining what to expect on the day and meeting their needs, to a simple follow up thank you. 

ROA Visits - An additional racecourse visit could be undertaken by the ROA if deemed necessary to understand and allow the promotion of best practice in top performing racecourses, or to review and support courses in need of additional development.   

Awards - Racecourses will receive plaques for the ROA Quality Mark and ROA Gold Standard where relevant.