Owners of jumps racehorses have voted Haydock Park their favourite large racecourse in Britain.

The findings come in a survey by the 7,000-strong Racehorse Owners Association.

The association’s members were asked to rate the largest racecourses in England, Scotland and Wales after visiting them. They judged each track on a range of experiences, from ticket allocation, facilities, bar, food and drink, through to parking.

Of the racecourses, Haydock Park was rated top, ahead of Ayr and Ascot Racecourses in second and third places respectively.

Garry Fortune, General Manager, at Haydock Park Racecourse, said: “We are delighted that jumps racehorse owners rate our racecourse so highly. The whole team goes out of its way to welcome owners to Haydock Park. Without racehorse owners, there would be no horse racing industry and we warmly welcome them as customers.

“If owners wish to run their horses at Haydock Park, then that’s great news for everyone, especially our spectators, because we want to put on the best sport that we possibly can. If owners enjoy themselves, then they and their horses will return again and again.”

The Racehorse Owners Association says no single aspect of the experience of visiting a racecourse dictates whether it is a good day out or not. Rather, the association said, “a good race-day experience comprises various factors”.

Well over ten years ago, Haydock Park pioneered providing racehorse owners with complimentary refreshments. That is a policy adopted by many major racecourses now.

The 2013/14 jump racing season continues at Haydock Park on Saturday 18th January. It’s Peter Marsh Chase day which not only includes some superb races but also attracts horses on their way to the Cheltenham and Crabbie’s Grand National Aintree Festival meetings in March and April. The races include the £75,000 StanJames.com Champion Hurdle Trial – which forms part of the ‘Road to Cheltenham’ - and the £50,000 Peter Marsh Chase.

Tickets are on sale at www.haydock-park.co.uk. They can also be bought in person at the racecourse or by telephone on 0844 579 3006 in advance at the following prices. Advance purchase of tickets saves ten per cent on on-the-day prices. Admission: £11.70 (Newton Enclosure); £18 (Tattersalls); £27 (County Stand); and Premier (£40.50). First race time: 12.20pm.

Don’t forget to book tickets for The Crabbie’s Grand National at Aintree, Haydock Park’s sister racecourse, which takes place from Thursday 3rd to Saturday 5th April 2014, available at www.thecrabbiesgrandnational.co.uk. Tickets start from just £21 for the Steeplechase Enclosure.

About Haydock Park Racecourse Haydock Park is a dual purpose racecourse, staging 32 racing days on the Flat and over jumps in 2014, and a leading conference centre in the north west of England. More information is available at www.haydock-park.co.uk.

Haydock Park Racecourse is part of The Jockey Club, which has been at the heart of British racing for more than 260 years. Today the largest commercial group in the sport, The Jockey Club runs the largest racecourse group in the UK by turnover (2012: £142.1m), courses (15) including those at Aintree, Cheltenham, Epsom Downs and Newmarket, attendances (2012: 1.8m), total prize money (2012: £35.3m), contribution to prize money (2012: £16.5m) and quality racing (Group and Graded races); more than 3,000 acres of world-class training grounds in Newmarket and Lambourn; The National Stud breeding enterprise and education provider; and the charity for racing’s people in need, Racing Welfare. Governed by Royal Charter, every penny The Jockey Club makes it puts back into British racing. More information is available at www.thejockeyclub.co.uk.