Worcester Racecourse will open a new state-of-the-art Weighing Room facility on Saturday 1st June, on what is expected to be a sell-out crowd for Ladies Day.
Following a winter that saw the Racecourse fully flooded by the adjacent River Severn six times, Ladies Day marks the return of live racing action to Pitchcroft for the first time in 2024.
Michael Thomas, General Manager of Worcester Racecourse said “It has been a tough six months for Worcester with six large scale floods causing huge operational challenges for the track, the Weighing Room development and the venue in general.
“As a result we had to move our first three fixtures in May to our sister course at Hereford. This has allowed us time to fully recover from the impact of the flooding and it’s all systems go for our Ladies Day fixture this Saturday 1st June.
“Ladies Day is by far our biggest meeting of the year, with more than 9000 people in attendance. We cannot wait for Saturday, when we can finally throw open the doors and customers can enjoy a great day of racing. Equally, to welcome jockeys into our new Weighing Room, new Parade Ring and new lawn spaces also.”
Dale Gibson, Executive Director at the Professional Jockeys Association said, “We are pleased to see the new Weighing Room open at Worcester Racecourse, which will offer jockeys riding there a modern and efficient working environment.”
“We look forward to continuing our liaison with Arena Racing Company and other racecourses, alongside the input of senior jockeys, for further such developments.”
The Weighing Room is an integral area of any racecourse and acts not only as the place where jockeys can get changed, prepare and rest in between races, but also where their weights are checked before and after every race to maintain the integrity of the sport.
Worcester’s new facility includes brand new changing rooms for jockeys as well as a spacious canteen and rest area on the top floor where riders will be able to relax between races. The facility also includes an outdoor terrace overlooking the River Severn, as well as physio and warm-up rooms to support the jockeys fitness and race-readiness.
A new neutral working zone for the valets, will allow a more modern and efficient way of working and ensure all jockeys have the correct colours and riding equipment to hand from one race to the next. Racecourse staff and officials will benefit from a new Stewards Room and Broadcast Office, also.
