Warwick Racecourse is building on the success of its first season as an all-jumps track by strengthening its own stable with a double appointment. 

Rachel Kirkby and Sheryl Caswell have joined the team at The Jockey Club racecourse to enhance its year-round offering.

The duo will be involved in developing Warwick Racecourse’s racing programme, as part of its ambition to become one of the UK’s leading small jumps courses.

They will also be building upon its reputation as a venue for non-racing events by attracting more corporate and social functions, from meetings and conferences to weddings and celebrations.

Rachel is a recent history graduate of Newcastle University and has been appointed sales and marketing co-ordinator with responsibility for overseeing operations at events throughout the year including the racing season from September to May.

Rachel, aged 23, who has moved to Warwick from Lincolnshire, said: “I have a real passion for horse racing and so was keen to pursue a career in the industry.

“It is great to have joined Warwick Racecourse as it is so steeped in history and off the back of a thriving first season as an all-jumps track.

“I am eager to build on the racecourse’s reputation both as a racing and a non-racing venue with a full calendar of events to attract racegoers and non-racegoers.”

Sheryl is the new business development executive and brings marketing experience gained in roles since graduating with a business degree from Coventry University.

Sheryl, aged 23, who lives locally in the neighbouring town of Kenilworth, said: “I am really excited to be part of the team at Warwick Racecourse and am particularly looking forward to developing relationships with businesses in the region.

“Warwick Racecourse caters for a host of corporate and private functions in between jumps fixtures.

“It has fantastic facilities set against a stunning backdrop and I’m looking forward to making the most of those for more to enjoy.  We already have some exciting plans to enhance the racecourse offering.”

Huw Williams, general manager of Warwick Racecourse, said he was delighted to welcome Rachel and Sheryl to the team.

He said: “Warwick Racecourse has recently enjoyed a successful and historic first season as an all-jumps track with plans to make it an elite track in the coming years.

“As part of that, we are expanding our team to enable us to deliver a greater experience for racing and non-racing visitors by adding to the attraction of our quality jumps fixtures and encouraging more organisations and individuals to use it as a venue.

“With their experience and enthusiasm, Rachel and Sheryl are welcome additions to our team and will play an important part in the development of Warwick Racecourse.”

Warwick Racecourse is one of the oldest racecourses in the country and the first to stage a jump race as part of a racecard in 1831, effectively establishing the National Hunt sport. In 2014, it became an all-jumps track with a five-year plan to become one of the UK’s leading small jumps courses.  Dan Skelton, one of the country’s brightest young National Hunt trainers, is its ambassador.

Fixture highlights include the Grade 2 Leamington Novices’ Hurdle (Neptune Investment Management Novices’ Hurdle), Grade 2 Kingmaker Novices’ Chase and Grade 3 handicap Betfred Classic Chase.

High-quality racing takes place on weekdays and weekends, and afternoons and evenings, from September to May, with a range of meetings to appeal to racing regulars and newcomers alike.  More information is available at http://warwick.thejockeyclub.co.uk

Warwick Racecourse is part of The Jockey Club, which has been at the heart of British racing for more than 260 years. Today the largest commercial group in the sport, The Jockey Club runs the largest racecourse group in the UK by turnover (2014: £162.9m), courses (15) including those at Aintree, Cheltenham, Epsom Downs and Newmarket, attendances (2014: 1.8m), total prize money (2014: £43.7m), contribution to prize money (2014: £19.1m) and quality racing (Group and Graded races); more than 3,000 acres of world-class training grounds in Newmarket, Lambourn and Epsom Downs; The National Stud breeding enterprise and education provider; and the charity for racing's people in need, Racing Welfare. Governed by Royal Charter, every penny The Jockey Club makes it puts back into British racing. More information is available at www.thejockeyclub.co.uk.

For further information, please contact:

Alison McConkey, Advent Communications
amcconkey@advent-communications.co.uk
02476 633636 or 07813 302740