Fontwell beats Lingfield and Punchestown to top racing award

The West Sussex racecourse was voted racecourse of the year at the Betview Awards at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London.

More than 700 guests attended the awards, hosted by Clare Balding and Rugby World Cup winner Will Greenwood.

Fontwell was shortlisted along with Lingfield Park and last year’s winners Punchestown. The award goes to the racecourse which provides the best experience for the betting and racing public.

More than £8.5m has been invested at Fontwell Park since Northern Racing purchased the course in 2002. Last year saw the opening of £6.5m Premier Grandstand.

The course has experienced significant increases in hospitality, sponsorship and conference and wedding business in recent years, as well as growth in attendances.

Fontwell Park general manager Phil Bell said: “We’re delighted to be recognised by the betting industry for our investment in the business and customer service.”

Betview was launched in 2007 as the monthly business-to-business magazine for the betting industry. The awards reward the outstanding achievement, ingenuity and innovation happening across the UK and Republic of Ireland betting and gaming trade.