In the first quarter of 2024, attendance at British racecourses increased by 2.5 per cent, according to official data compiled by the Horserace Betting Levy Board (HBLB).
Throughout 294 matches from January to March, 681,476 racegoers attended British racecourses, with an average attendance of 2,326. In comparison to 2023, both numbers show increases: 2.5% for the total attendance (664,974) and 4.9% for the average attendance (2,217). The whole picture will become evident after the second quarter, but it's crucial to remember that this year's Easter holiday fell in Q1 rather than Q2 of 2023.
Attendance at matches labelled as Premier for 2024 has increased significantly because of the sport's new tiered racing product, Premier Racing. Attendance at Kelso's Morebattle Hurdle Day reached its highest point since 2015, while racegoers at Uttoxeter's Midlands Grand National event increased by 15% as they took in the Staffordshire highlight.
50,679 racegoers attended a British racetrack over the Easter weekend, a significant occasion in the racing calendar. Of those, 9,088 attended the All-Weather Championships Final Premier Fixture in Newcastle. If not for significant waterlogging-related abandonments on Easter Saturday at Musselburgh and Newton Abbot, these totals would have been higher. The first three days of Easter weekend fell in Q1 this year instead of Q2, due to the date change.
In Q1 of 2024, 36 fixtures were lost as a result of abandonments, mostly because to the rainy weather. Given Met Office data, there was an increase from 31 over the same period in 2023, which is maybe not surprising. The South of England experienced its wettest February since Met Office records date back to 1836, while March witnessed a 27% rise in rainfall across the nation. Racecourse groundstaff teams' perseverance in providing excellent and professional service is evident in their attempts to maintain surfaces despite the current conditions.
RCA Chief David Armstrong made the following observation: “The small, but encouraging, increase in attendances to British racecourses in Q1 of 2024 is welcome news although optimism should be tempered by the timing of Easter in 2024. Racecourses continue to face significant financial headwinds and are constantly aspiring to offer the best experience to all visitors, from a race day experience perspective for paying customers to the best racing surface, facilities and competitive prize money for participants.
“We are all aware of the very wet weather, however seeing the Met Office statistics brings into perspective the challenge our members have faced in fulfilling their fixtures. My sincere praise goes to the Groundstaff who work tirelessly in difficult conditions to ensure their racing surfaces remain ready to race.”