Nottingham racecourse to recruit a manager

Pip Kirkby has jointly managed both Market Rasen Racecourse and the Colwick Park track for The Jockey Club, the largest commercial group in British horse racing, since 2006.

Expansion since the creation of the five-racecourse East region within the group last year has led to a plan to recruit a general manager who will be solely responsible for the East Midlands racecourse.

Nottingham Racecourse’s success is illustrated by the increase in its fixture list to more than 20 days in 2014, while The Jockey Club’s commitment to the venue was demonstrated by an additional 17 per cent investment in prize money last year.

Pip Kirkby, who has managed Market Rasen Racecourse for the last 15 years, will concentrate exclusively once again on the Lincolnshire track, delivering the capital building project at the racecourse that will be completed this year and taking a stronger regional focus.

She will also help the successful candidate for the general manager’s role at Nottingham Racecourse to settle into the job.

The new management position will be advertised both internally within The Jockey Club and externally.

Amy Starkey, director of East Region, Jockey Club Racecourses, said: “We are delighted to announce this exciting role at Nottingham Racecourse.

“The track is faring very well, shown by its recent Ladies’ Day which saw a sell-out crowd in the Premier Enclosure and the launch for the first time at the track of The Jockey Club Grassroots Series, and the venue has lots more potential both within the sphere of racing and also in its conferences and events offering.

“Pip Kirkby will continue to play a key role in the East Region of Jockey Club Racecourses, not only as the dedicated general manager of Market Rasen Racecourse and as a key member of the regional management team but also in mentoring the new general manager at Nottingham Racecourse initially.”

Pip said: “With the potential for growth at Nottingham Racecourse now starting to bear fruit, this is a plan that we have had for some time. These are exciting times for horse racing in the region and the future is bright for both Market Rasen and Nottingham Racecourses under the umbrella of The Jockey Club.”

Nottingham and Market Rasen Racecourses are part of the East region of Jockey Club Racecourses, along with Huntingdon Racecourse and the Rowley Mile and July Course at Newmarket Racecourses.

Nottingham Racecourse is staging 21 Flat racing meetings in 2014 and is a leading conference and events centre in the East Midlands. More information is available at www.nottinghamracecourse.co.uk.