All bets off as racecourse wins top title

MUSSELBURGH Racecourse has been named Racecourse of the Year at a betting industry awards ceremony.

The East Lothian course was voted the top track, pipping York and Haydock courses to the post, in the Betview Awards 2012, which recognises excellence, innovation and creativity across the UK and Irish betting trade.

Musselburgh Racecourse general manager Bill Farnsworth received the award from sports broadcaster Jeff Stelling at a ceremony at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London.

He said: “Our strategy is to try to add value to the betting industry and for punters as we recognise they are our most important customers.

“We have done that by introducing a raft of new valuable high-worth races at our New Year’s Day meeting, the Easter Festival of Racing and also the Edinburgh Cup meeting, which we aim to develop into a £100,000 race.”

Betview judges said: “They ensure a good working partnership through their on-course betting committee.”