'It's about racegoers and customers' - how some of Britain's biggest racecourses have joined forces to shape the sport's future
Industry editor Bill Barber talks to Alex Eade, who represents Britain's five biggest independent tracks
Ascot, Chester, Goodwood, Newbury and York – they are five of Britain's biggest and best racecourses but traditionally independent, not only of major groups like the Jockey Club and Arena Racing Company but of each other.
However, the five have decided to become more closely aligned under the existing banner of the Large Independent Racecourses group (LIR), with the view of helping to shape the future of British racing.
They are led by Alex Eade, who took over as secretary general in 2023, succeeding industry veteran Charles Barnett.
Read the full story
Read award-winning journalism from the best writers in racing, with exclusive news, interviews, columns, investigations, stable tours and subscriber-only emails.
Subscribe to unlock
- Racing Post digital newspaper (worth over £100 per month)
- Award-winning journalism from the best writers in racing
- Expert tips from the likes of Tom Segal and Paul Kealy
- Replays and results analysis from all UK and Irish racecourses
- Form study tools including the Pro Card and Horse Tracker
- Extensive archive of statistics covering horses, trainers, jockeys, owners, pedigree and sales data
Already a subscriber?Log in
Published on inInterviews
Last updated
Copy- 'He was no star, but they don't have to be stars to be a star to somebody. He's my favourite horse and always will be'
- 'When you don't succeed at something, you learn an awful lot from it - the fear of failing drives you on'
- 'I was very much an introvert - but all of a sudden I was riding all over the place and I had to come out of my shell'
- 'I've only had two days off all season - it's not right, is it? And I'm still nowhere near Oisin'
- 'I was well connected and I've never made any bones about it - but that opportunity only takes you so far'
- 'He was no star, but they don't have to be stars to be a star to somebody. He's my favourite horse and always will be'
- 'When you don't succeed at something, you learn an awful lot from it - the fear of failing drives you on'
- 'I was very much an introvert - but all of a sudden I was riding all over the place and I had to come out of my shell'
- 'I've only had two days off all season - it's not right, is it? And I'm still nowhere near Oisin'
- 'I was well connected and I've never made any bones about it - but that opportunity only takes you so far'