The Graft Behind the Craft with Carrie Gillam - TOTC Ep 5

Championing a Proper Day Out – Go Racing in Yorkshire Talk of the Course Episode 9

With nine racecourses, some of Britain’s most successful trainers, Jack Berry House and the National Horseracing College, Yorkshire is a key hub of racing in Britain. In today’s episode of Talk of the Course, Paul Swain and Matt Jones from the Racecourse Association are joined by Go Racing in Yorkshire (GRIY) General Manager, Charlotte Russell to discuss what they are doing to promote the region’s racing and how the workstreams tie in with the industry’s Project Beacon, the most in-depth piece of customer research ever undertaken by the sport.    In the podcast, Charlotte discusses GRIY’s new digital content strategy and how they’ve embraced collaboration to enhance their online output. She also highlights the importance of showcasing the range of options available to racegoers visiting Yorkshire whether their motivations to attend be racing, social or both. In addition, we look ahead to the Go Racing in Yorkshire Summer Festival, explore GRIY’s role in putting the week together. We also discuss SkyBet’s long-term support of the week, the charitable elements of the festival and the bonuses on offer for members of the thoroughbred group. The episode also sees the debut of a new game where we explore Charlotte’s background in sheep farming and ask the all-important question, “are ewe pulling the wool over my eyes?” Finally, the #QuickFireFive returns as we discover which equine icon Charlotte once mucked out, her take on this year’s Cock of the North competition and try to find the definitive correct term for a bread roll. Talk of the Course is designed to shed a light on the best practice emanating from racecourse teams across the country, covering all aspects of racecourse operation. It is written, produced and hosted by the RCA’s executive team. The latest episode is available now to stream via YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@OfficialThe_RCA], Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/5Xllc7wCbVcyBSKMATy4Sb] and Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/talk-of-the-course/id1887516462] platforms. VQCMEJQWV45O75QW, RQ2TJY21EENU9C7A, ZQLPDO0HNBLXFASH

‘We Listen. We Support.’ Racing Welfare on Supporting British Horseracing’s Workforce - TOTC Ep 8

Racing Welfare, British Horseracing’s charity to support the entirety of its workforce, are special guests on episode 8 of Talk of the Course to reflect on work undertaken across the sport during Mental Health Awareness Week and to discuss the charity’s welfare provision more widely as a bedrock to current and retired staff. Lucy Miller, Director of Welfare Programmes, and Gail Burton-Pye, Welfare Officer, join Paul Swain and Tabby Killingbeck to discuss why mental health support in British horseracing goes beyond individual campaigns, and how Racing Welfare is rising to the challenge of growing demand in this vital space. Gail shares details of a new initiative run in collaboration with groundstaff teams at ARC racecourses to facilitate an open environment for discussion about, and support of, mental health, and how Racing Welfare is available to all racecourses in a forum that best suits. In addition, Lucy shares how Welfare Officers at Racing Welfare are stationed across Britain, and particularly in key racing areas, to act as frontline support for racing’s workforce, plus details of how anyone can access Racing Welfare’s broad range of services, including the charity’s 24/7 support line (contactable on 0800 6300 443). #QuickFireFive returns, and we learn what is the best breakfast to aid a good wellbeing chat, which of the Racing Welfare team has raised the bar in ‘the best racehorse seen in your career’ stakes and the eclectic playlists which power Racing Welfare in their travels up and down the motorways of Great Britain. Talk of the Course is designed to shed a light on the best practice emanating from racecourse teams across the country, covering all aspects of racecourse operation. It is written, produced and hosted by the RCA’s executive team. The latest episode is available now to stream via YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@OfficialThe_RCA], Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/5Xllc7wCbVcyBSKMATy4Sb] and Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/talk-of-the-course/id1887516462] platforms.

Promoting Positive Mental Health: Pontefract on Combatting Loneliness —Talk of the Course Ep 7

In the first of two episodes to reflect on Mental Health Awareness Week, episode 7 of Talk of the Course features Jon Mullin, Chief Executive and Clerk of the Course at Pontefract Racecourse. Jon discusses the Yorkshire racecourse’s work to combat loneliness as part of the BHA-led industry pilot programme on this subject, amongst other initiatives designed to promote positive mental health. Jon explains why the team at Pontefract got involved with the work, the challenges they are trying to address and what has happened so far as part of the pilot. From horses in Holbeck to soup kitchens at the racecourse and events with local care homes, the pilot has seen Pontefract engage with a wide range of local community members, and has helped cement its status as a community focussed racecourse. Finally, Jon explains why it’s so important for racecourses to get involved with projects like this and why sometimes, commercial returns shouldn’t be top of the priority list. The episode culminates in the #QuickFireFive where we learn about the multitude of racecourse dogs in the Pontefract office, Jon’s favourite venue for customer experience beyond Yorkshire and the question on everyone’s lips regarding Pontefract Racecourse’s sweet neighbour, Haribo.   Talk of the Course is designed to shed a light on the best practice emanating from racecourse teams across the country, covering all aspects of racecourse operation. It is written, produced and hosted by the RCA’s executive team. The latest episode is available now to stream via YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@OfficialThe_RCA], Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/5Xllc7wCbVcyBSKMATy4Sb] and Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/talk-of-the-course/id1887516462] platforms.

Richard Layton’s powerful legacy - Hereford, Farming & Mental Health Awareness Week 2026 - TOTC Ep 6

Today's episode of Talk of the Course focuses on Mental Health Awareness Week and the Richard Layton Charity Raceday at Hereford Racecourse. The Richard Layton Charity Raceday won the Racing Together Community Award at the 14th annual RCA Showcase Awards. This podcast and accompanying video, tells the story of an initiative created in memory of Richard Layton, a much-loved local farmer and member of the Herefordshire community who tragically lost his life to suicide in 2023, and the Hereford Racecourse team's commitment to making mental health the front runner. Talk of the Course is designed to shed a light on the best practice emanating from racecourse teams across the country, covering all aspects of racecourse operation. It is written, produced and hosted by the RCA’s executive team.

The Graft Behind the Craft with Carrie Gillam - TOTC Ep 5

This episode of Talk of the Course welcomes Carrie Gillam, Executive Director at Uttoxeter Racecourse, to share details on the racecourse’s fantastic 2025 which saw it named the co-most improved racecourse in terms of customer experience in the RCA’s Quality Assured Racecourse Scheme. In the podcast, Carrie explains the changes that were put in place across the racecourse to improve experience, from site presentation and signage, to a reimagination of the food offering that puts quality over quantity. We also discuss the affordability of racing as a day out and Carrie outlines some of the cost-effective options available for customers heading to Uttoxeter this year, the range of experiences and days out on offer.   To finish, we ask Carrie the #QuickFireFive and learn which venues inspire Carrie and her team to continue their drive for excellence, the official Uttoxeter racecourse dog and put to bed the age-old question on the definitive pronunciation of Uttoxeter. Talk of the Course is designed to shed a light on the best practice emanating from racecourse teams across the country, covering all aspects of racecourse operation. It is written, produced and hosted by the RCA’s executive team. The latest episode is available now to stream via YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@OfficialThe_RCA], Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/5Xllc7wCbVcyBSKMATy4Sb] and Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/talk-of-the-course/id1887516462] platforms.