All 15 racecourses in the Jockey Club Venues portfolio hosted live music nights between July and October 2012; the format offered entertainment for avid race-goers and keen music fans, with live horse racing preceding music performances.
Over the three-month period, stars including Olly Murs, Will Young and Alfie Boe were the highlight of the racecourses' live music season, with Sir Tom Jones and Jessie J (who both performed at Sandown Park Racecourse) proving to be the most effectual for pulling in the crowds. Total attendance for the Tom Jones Music Night on 18 July 2012 stands at 11,933 fans, while Jessie J drew crowds of 16,057.
Simon Kershaw, commercial director at Sandown Park Racecourse, said, "This summer has been one of the most successful to date for Sandown Park in terms of live music event attendance. A huge number of guests also booked hospitality for the evenings (2,650). It's about maintaining a balance between all our acts so that they appeal to the widest possible range of demographics."
Kempton Park Racecourse's marketing manager, Kimberley Green, also reported a positive increase in attendees at the racecourse's live music series: "Our Olly Murs Music event was a huge success and sold out with over 8000 attendees coming to enjoy the racing and the concert, which represented a vast growth year on year of over 50%. Our Ladies' Day in September also grew by of 13%, and clearly shows that our customers enjoy the added value of concerts in addition to racing"
Rupert Trevelyan, regional director of the London racecourses, said: "We are delighted with the number of attendees we've welcomed to the London racecourses for live music performances throughout the summer of 2012. While the individual venues decide which music acts they would like to host, we will certainly be working on creating more synergy between the three London racecourses in 2013 for music genres and performers."
The London racecourses will announce next year's schedule for live music in early 2013.
(Jim Evans)
