Felicity Barnard

Prize-money at Ascot Racecourse will be a record £19.4 million in 2026, an increase of £1.65 million on this year. Figures exclude the industry-owned QIPCO British Champions Day. Across 25 racedays, 88 of Ascot's 169 races (52%) will have a higher total prize fund than in 2025, with all races on the Flat worth £25,000 or more. Royal Ascot will be worth £10.65 million, from £10.05 million. Increases have been made across the Royal Ascot programme, with all eight Group 1 races now worth a minimum of £700,000 (including two...

The International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA) held the 59th International Conference of Horseracing Authorities (ICHA) at Le Méridien Paris Arc de Triomphe in Paris, France on Monday. During this year's Conference, there was a particular focus on racing betting, both in the legal and illegal markets, along with marketing and customer experience. Throughout the course of the day, 165 delegates from around 40 countries heard from leaders from around the globe on these pressing topics. "The International Conference has for many years provided a platform for all of us,...

Ascot Racecourse is set to return record prize-money of £17.75 million to the sport in 2025, having announced its financial results for the 12 months ended December 31, 2024. Turnover for that period rose by 2% to £113.1 million, with a pre-tax profit of £8.4 million - up from £5.9 million in 2023. The 2024 business summary highlighted several other points of interest: Gross profit was broadly static, reflecting the general inflationary economic conditions. whilst this also included an increase of £526k in the executive contribution towards prize-money. Profit before...

Ascot Racecourse announced on Monday that Jonathan Gregory has been appointed chief commercial officer. Gregory joins Ascot from the Goodwood Group, where he has been since September 2020, first as commercial director and then as chief commercial officer from October 2024. He previously served as commercial director at Leicester City Football Club and Fulham Football Club, as well as gaining experience in senior commercial roles at leading venues worldwide, including Wembley Stadium and the Bahrain International Circuit. "I'm thrilled to join Ascot Racecourse, one of the most iconic sporting venues...

Ascot Racecourse announced on Tuesday that Felicity Barnard has been appointed as chief executive, with Alastair Warwick set to stand down from the role at the end of the year for personal reasons. Barnard currently serves as deputy chief executive at Ascot, alongside her role as commercial director. Sir Francis Brooke, chairman and His Majesty's representative at Ascot Racecourse, said, "Alastair has played a major role in the success of Ascot Racecourse since he joined the business in 2008, most recently as chief executive where he has overseen two very...

A five-year partnership renewal agreement for pool betting was agreed upon by Ascot Racecourse and the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) on Friday. The deal renewal, signed by Michael Fitzsimons of the HKJC and Felicity Barnard of Ascot, features the delivery of a dedicated HKJC feed from Ascot, as well as additional content to help raise awareness of the racing at Ascot in Hong Kong. It will begin on July 1, 2023 and last until July 1, 2028. It is an extension of a deal that began between the two...

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...