The Jockey Club, the largest commercial group in British horseracing, and Levy, the market-leading sports and entertainment division of Compass Group UK & Ireland, today announce an exclusive new twenty-year deal and a £100 million investment* designed to revolutionise the spectator experience across their UK racecourses.
The evolution of the partnership sees the existing joint venture, Jockey Club Catering, rebranded as Jockey Club Experiences. This name change represents a significant expansion of responsibilities, with Jockey Club Experiences now overseeing end-to-end hospitality package sales and delivery, conferencing and events, and retail merchandising, alongside their role as the ongoing food and beverage partner across all retail and hospitality.
Building on a successful long-standing relationship, the partnership will enable The Jockey Club to make a significant capital investment of £100 million into their business while delivering a step change in the customer experience at their 15 racecourses. Their investment plans, funded by a payment from Compass as part of the deal, include introducing digital ticketing, improvements to the customer experience at Cheltenham and Aintree, and a reinvigoration of The Derby to return it to its rightful place in the UK and world racing calendars.
For Levy, leaders in delivering world-class hospitality, this deal represents an exciting opportunity to inject much-needed capital to elevate the racegoer experience to new heights. By combining Levy’s operational excellence with The Jockey Club’s historic venues and racing expertise, the partnership is set to deliver a modernised, premium experience for every visitor.
Jon Davies, CEO of Levy, said: “This partnership is a defining moment for British racing and a statement of intent. Together with The Jockey Club, we are committed to setting a new global standard for the raceday experience. Our evolution into Jockey Club Experiences reflects the scale of our ambition and the responsibility we carry. By investing for the long term, we are elevating the experience for racegoers and strengthening the sport’s position on the world stage.”
Jim Mullen, Chief Executive of The Jockey Club, commented: “This is an important moment for racing and The Jockey Club. We have agreed a long-term opportunity with a proven worldwide operator to help us grow our ability to invest in the sport and the customer experience. We want customers at our venues to enjoy the sport, enjoy the hospitality and come back to this great sport more often. Our partnership with Levy and Compass will elevate our offer even further and we look forward to them playing their part in helping racing and us grow.”
*£100m investment to be paid in instalments over a five-year period.
ENDS
For further press Information please contact:
The Jockey Club
Barry Rabbetts - Head of External Communications
barry.rabbetts@thejockeyclub.co.uk - 07813 706948
Levy
Sam Rooke - Head of Media, PR & Comms
sam.rooke@levy.co.uk
About Levy We Are Levy – Levy is about elevating experiences across the UK, Ireland, Europe and beyond. A leading international hospitality partner, designing and delivering unforgettable guest experiences that prioritise people and the planet. Trusted by some of the world's most iconic stadia, entertainment venues, and marquee events to bring their spaces to life, Levy is driven by a mission to succeed in the right way. From pioneering tech to seamless operations, show-stopping menus to exceptional service, Levy uses data and insights to understand guest behaviour and the customer journey while minimising environmental impact and supporting local communities. Levy is a passionate, diverse, and talented team of venue specialists dedicated to making the planet better for future generations.
About The Jockey Club Founded in 1750 The Jockey Club is today the largest employer and commercial organisation in British horseracing and one of the leading sports businesses operating in the UK. The Jockey Club is governed by Royal charter, ensuring all profits are reinvested back into racing, which is Britain’s second biggest spectator sport. The Jockey Club runs 15 of the UK’s racecourses and is charged with looking after some of the nation’s biggest events, including the Randox Grand National Festival at Aintree, The Cheltenham Festival, The Betfred Derby Festival at Epsom Downs and the Betfred Guineas Festival at Newmarket. Thousands of racehorses also use The Jockey Club’s training centres in Newmarket, Lambourn and Epsom every year, while the organisation also runs The National Stud in Newmarket and the charity, Racing Welfare, which makes help available to everyone in racing. The Jockey Club’s joint Patrons are His Majesty The King and Her Majesty The Queen. For more information, please visit www.thejockeyclub.co.uk
