Bringing Together the Best LIRG Racing Group

The LIRG is an informal grouping of the five large racecourses which are independently owned. They appoint a Director to the Racecourse Association Board and the BHA Commercial Committee and various other industry committees and groups as required.

The LIRG Members communicate regularly and have a biannual conference of their Chief Executives and an annual meeting of the Clerks of Course and Groundsmen. The Operations Managers also meet annually to ensure and share best practise. Our courses are responsible for the major summer flat festivals; The Boodles May Festival at Chester, The Dante and Ebor Festivals at York, Glorious Goodwood, Royal Ascot, King George VI and Champions Day at Ascot, and finally the Lockinge Stakes and Coral Gold Cup Festival at Newbury. They are major contributors to Prizemoney with their combined and executive contributions being over £50million in total prizemoney. All courses provide complimentary lunches for Owners and Trainers.

Being such significant contributors to British Racing their views are commonly sought by all parties of the industry and command considerable influence.

All the large independent racecourses have significant non-race day activities and business ventures including conference and events, restaurants, hotels, childcare facilities etc. Due to their huge investment in buildings and facilities they are able to support these non-racing businesses alongside their core racing activities. The LIRG Members have the ability to make quick commercial decisions due to their independent status and contribute significantly to the development and governance of the whole sport.