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Henderson To Step Down As Ascot CEO

Guy Henderson will retire from his position as chief executive officer of Ascot after next year's Royal meeting, which will be his eighth in that position. Henderson said, “We make this announcement as the process to appoint the next CEO begins. Meanwhile, it remains business as usual as we deliver the remainder of the 2021 racing and events programme and build towards Royal Ascot 2022 in the Platinum Jubilee year. This will be a unique event at Ascot about which we are all very excited.”

Sir Francis Brooke, Her Majesty's Representative at Ascot and Chairman, added, “Guy's leadership at Ascot has been transformational since he became CEO in January 2015. He raised the business to a new level of success and then had to face the enormous challenge of running two successive Royal Meetings in the midst of a global pandemic. Both last year and this, he and the whole Ascot team rose to that challenge magnificently and delivered the best event possible in the circumstances.

“This transition process has been planned and we now look forward to Guy leading the business until Royal Ascot 2022, while the process for the appointment of the next CEO begins.”

Executive Search specialists Spencer Stuart have been appointed to identify Henderson's replacement candidates.

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Ascot To Fund Jockey Insurance

Ascot Racecourse will fund the Professional Jockeys Association's Career Ending Insurance scheme for a period of one month while the PJA continues discussions with industry stakeholders to establish a sustainable long-term funding solution.

The scheme pays out a capital sum should a jockey suffer a career-ending injury. The scheme was traditionally funded through commercial sponsorship but for the last two years has been paid for out of PJA reserves, assisted for the last six months by a grant from the Horserace Betting Levy Board.

Jon Holmes, chairman of the PJA, said, “Ascot has always gone above and beyond when it comes to our members. This is yet another example of that and we are incredibly grateful to everyone at Ascot Racecourse. I have been in my role at the PJA since December last year and was surprised to discover that this vital insurance scheme was reliant on commercial sponsorship. Our members, the vast majority of whom earn below the national average salary, put their bodies on the line every time they ride and I share Ascot's determination to find an industry-funded solution.”

Guy Henderson, chief executive at Ascot Racecourse, said, “Jockeys of both codes put themselves at risk of serious injury for our entertainment every day. We strongly believe that it is the industry's responsibility to make sure that there is appropriate protection for them in place in the event of career- ending injury. As we approach the end of the 2021 Royal Meeting, I would like to congratulate and thank them all, especially those who had landmark wins, from Frankie Dettori's 75th to the six who've ridden their first. As always, we have had unstinting support from all the jockeys this week in terms of participating in extensive domestic and international media activities and our own press conferences and opening ceremonies.”

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£6-Million In Prizemoney At Royal Ascot

Prizemoney for Royal Ascot in 2021-set for June 15 to 19-will be £6-million, a 66% increase on 2020. Ascot Racecourse also revealed on Tuesday that the G1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth S. in July will be worth £875,000, up from £400,000 in 2020 when purses took a massive hit in the midst of the pandemic.

Guy Henderson, chief executive officer at Ascot Racecourse, said, “In 2020 we had hoped to offer record prize money of more than £8-million at the Royal Meeting. In the event the pandemic made that impossible and we have now spent nearly a year racing behind closed doors with trading income down 80%. This year's prizemoney of £6-million represents 75% of what we had originally planned for 2020.

“With restricted attendances in 2021 and pandemic insurance cover no longer available, the business will need to absorb a significant loss this year in order to deliver our wish to support the industry with the most prize money that we can prudently afford. Whilst Covid-19 has knocked back our long term financial trajectory by several years, our aim is to make the largest steps we can towards getting prize money levels back on track as soon as possible.

“Without owners we would have no racing. We are very grateful for their commitment and thank them for their support. We look forward to being able to increase prize money further as soon as it is possible for us to do so. We are also very grateful to our official partners, QIPCO and Longines, as well as our official suppliers, sponsors, broadcast partners and betting media partners. All of their support is deeply appreciated. We at Ascot much look forward to being able to welcome back our racegoers in June and delivering a special week of racing, both for those who are able to be with us on site and the many millions who will be with us in spirit through our broadcast and digital channels.”

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Felicity Barnard Named Ascot Commercial Director

Felicity Barnard has been named to the role of Ascot Commercial Director, the racecourse announced on Monday.

Barnard, who will report to Ascot Chief Executive Guy Henderson, will be responsible for devising and implementing commercial strategy for in venue sales and marketing, partnerships, sponsorship, licencing, memberships and new income streams. Ascot Finance Director Ian McGregor is in charge of the racecourse's domestic and international broadcast, media and data rights while a review of how these areas should be developed is underway.

Previously, Barnard spent four years as CEO of Tie Break Tens, where she launched the new short format of tennis internationally. Also during her 15 years in the sports industry, Barnard worked at Arsenal Football Club both in London and Singapore and at West Ham United as their commercial director.

“Felicity brings a wealth of commercial experience to the racecourse, having worked in the UK and internationally in two sports with a similar global reach to racing,” said Henderson. “Felicity will focus on our in venue commercial activities and we are all very much looking forward to welcoming her to the team.”

Added Barnard, “I am thrilled to be joining the team at Ascot at such an important time for the sport. Ascot's position in racing is unparalleled and I am excited to help drive the commercial growth of such a historic and iconic institution.”

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