ASCOT Racecourse has announced its decision to leave the Racecourse Association [RCA] at the end of the year after calls for the RCA to address “structural governance concerns” by the end of April were not sufficiently delivered.

Earlier this year a number of high-profile racecourses and the Jockey Club collectively wrote to the Racecourse Association calling for an “urgent review” of its governance to support industry change. Some observers hold the RCA effectively responsible for Lord Allen’s resignation as chairman of the British Horseracing Authority, following his failure to deliver structural change to the make-up of the BHA board.

It’s thought that Ascot and other large racecourses believe they should have a bigger say in RCA decision-making. The current system of one vote per racecourse arguably favours the Arena Racing Company which operates 16 tracks, mainly smaller ones.

Ascot, Goodwood, the Jockey Club, Newbury and York requested a proposal for reform by the end of April, with the objectives set out aimed at ensuring the board and voting representation is “balanced and credible, that significant views from key racecourses can influence outcomes and that the organisation can act decisively on matters affecting the wider industry.”