Ascot racecourse revealed in a bombshell announcement that it would leave the Racecourse Association (RCA) at the end of 2026.
The royal course was one of five tracks responsible for a letter to the RCA in March. That letter outlined the need for an urgent review of the RCA’s governance. Chester, Goodwood, Newbury and York also signed the letter which requested proposals for change by the end of April.
Now that May has begun, and despite the RCA undergoing a 12-week extensive review, Ascot will leave the organisation. Chief executive Felicity Barnard released a statement on Monday confirming the move.
It has been a year of turmoil among horse racing’s governing bodies so far in 2026. In March, Lord Allen resigned as the British Horseracing Authority’s chair after just six months. It was at that point that the five aforementioned tracks wrote the letter expressing concern to the RCA.
Barnard: “We remain committed to working collaboratively”
A further rift within racing is far from what the sport needs. One of its bastions though, is Ascot racecourse. The royal meeting remains a success story, and there may be the chance of a royal winner across the five days this season.
Nevertheless, it would have offered the RCA some stability if they remained through next year. However, the die has been cast and Barnard revealed the reasons why.
“The decision to move away from the RCA was not taken lightly and was guided by our view that this is in the interests of the long-term health of the sport.
“In the period since March 3, we have engaged constructively with the RCA and remained clear and consistent with our request for governance reform; reform that we believe is necessary to reflect the evolving needs of our sport and its stakeholders.
“Regrettably, sufficient progress has not been made. We remain committed to working collaboratively within the industry to enable Ascot to continue to contribute to the shared success of the sport.”
The so-called rebel courses remain firm in their belief that an independent board is required. Sad board was one of Lord Allen’s primary intended targets during his brief reign as the BHA’s chair.
With that not coming to pass, action needed to be taken. With four other tracks potentially threatening to leave the RCA, as well as the Jockey Club themselves, Ascot may well prove to be the catalyst for significant reform among horse racing’s upper governing echelons.