Ayr groundstaff win top award

AYR racecourse has won one of the most prestigious honours in the racing industry - the Neil Wyatt Ground Staff Award for the best dual purpose course (Flat and jumps).

This is only the second time Ayr has received this recognition - having previously been successful in 1996, the inaugural year of the award.

Clerk of the Course Emma Marley said: "We are overjoyed. The Grounds Team have worked remarkably hard over the past year to achieve wondrous results with the racing surface and to restore confidence within the racing community. Ayr directors have, and continue to be, extremely supportive of our initiatives and have invested significantly to enhance the racing surface and introduce portable fences. We would like to thank all trainers, jockeys and owners who have supported us over the year and who have made this industry recognition possible."

Judging of the awards took place last month and the panel comprised representatives of the National Trainers Federation and Professional Jockeys' Association, with support from the BHA Inspectors of Courses.

Other awards went to Salisbury for the best flat track and Market Rasen for the best jumps track.

Meanwhile, Eamon Tyrrell has had his appeal against the three-year ban handed out as a result of the Casella Park affair dismissed. Irish trainer Tyrrell was banned after a BHA panel ruled that jockey Jason Behan did not allow Casella Park to run on its merits at Newcastle on 4 August.