Talk of the Course

Steeped in history and set against the stunning backdrop of the Perthshire countryside, a visit to Perth Racecourse should be on the bucket list of every racing fan. For the tenth episode of Talk of the Course, Paul Swain and Matt Jones from the Racecourse Association are joined by Perth Racecourse Marketing Manager, Katy Webster. In the podcast, Katy discusses the racecourse’s new digital content...

With nine racecourses, some of Britain’s most successful trainers, Jack Berry House and the National Horseracing College, Yorkshire is a key hub of racing in Britain. In today’s episode of Talk of the Course, Paul Swain and Matt Jones from the Racecourse Association are joined by Go Racing in Yorkshire (GRIY) General Manager, Charlotte Russell to discuss what they are doing to promote the region’s...

Racing Welfare, British Horseracing’s charity to support the entirety of its workforce, are special guests on episode 8 of Talk of the Course to reflect on work undertaken across the sport during Mental Health Awareness Week and to discuss the charity’s welfare provision more widely as a bedrock to current and retired staff. Lucy Miller, Director of Welfare Programmes, and Gail Burton-Pye, Welfare...

In the first of two episodes to reflect on Mental Health Awareness Week, episode 7 of Talk of the Course features Jon Mullin, Chief Executive and Clerk of the Course at Pontefract Racecourse. Jon discusses the Yorkshire racecourse’s work to combat loneliness as part of the BHA-led industry pilot programme on this subject, amongst other initiatives designed to promote positive mental health. Jon ex...

Today's episode of Talk of the Course focuses on Mental Health Awareness Week and the Richard Layton Charity Raceday at Hereford Racecourse. The Richard Layton Charity Raceday won the Racing Together Community Award at the 14th annual RCA Showcase Awards. This podcast and accompanying video, tells the story of an initiative created in memory of Richard Layton, a much-loved local farmer and member...

This episode of Talk of the Course welcomes Carrie Gillam, Executive Director at Uttoxeter Racecourse, to share details on the racecourse’s fantastic 2025 which saw it named the co-most improved racecourse in terms of customer experience in the RCA’s Quality Assured Racecourse Scheme. In the podcast, Carrie explains the changes that were put in place across the racecourse to improve experience, fr...

The latest episode of Talk of the Course shines a light on York Racecourse and features an interview with William Derby, Chief Executive and Clerk of the Course. York Racecourse had an outstanding 2025, being ranked number one in the RCA’s Quality Assured Racecourse Scheme for racegoer experience and topping the table in assessment schemes for owners and stable staff. Throughout the podcast, Willi...

This episode is the first of three focussing on the RCA’s Quality Assured Racecourse Scheme (QARS) and raceday experience. The QARS is the RCA’s long running assessment scheme for raceday experience and see’s every RCA member racecourse receive a raceday audit from an expert, independent third-party assessor.  This episode of Talk of the Course features an interview with Sarah Drabwell, General Ma...

Continuing the promotion of the Grounds Management Association’s (GMA) #GroundsWeek campaign, this episode of Talk of the Course features an interview with George Hill, Racing Director and Clerk of the Course at Newbury Racecourse. Newbury Racecourse was crowned Champion Groundstaff team at the 2025 RCA Showcase Awards, and George discusses some of the initiatives which led to this grand accolade,...

The debut episode of Talk of the Course spotlights the Grounds Management Association’s #GroundsWeek, running from 23-29 March - a celebration of the people and expertise behind some of the UK’s finest sporting surfaces. We’re joined by special guest Andrew Morris, Director of Racing at Newmarket Racecourse, for an inside look at the exceptional work carried out by his team at both Newmarket and t...

Talk of the Course is designed to shed a light on the best practice emanating from racecourse teams across thecountry, covering all aspects of racecourse operation. It is written, produced and hosted by the RCA’s executive team. Each episode will feature a range of voices from racecourse practitioners at the top of their game on a specific topic to accompany a written article from the RCA’s On Tra...