ARENA RACING COMPANY TRACKS ENJOY GREAT SUCCESS AT RCA GROUNDSTAFF AWARDS
Thursday 17th September 2026 – Arena Racing Company (ARC) is proud to announce that four of its racecourses and members of its groundstaff teams have been recognised at the annual Racecourse Association (RCA) Groundstaff Awards.
Newcastle Racecourse was named the dual-purpose Course winner, with fellow ARC track Ffos Las finishing as runner-up.
There was also individual success for ARC, with Brighton Head Groundsperson Richard Langley receiving the Special Merit Award, while Southwell Estates Manager Simon Davis was presented with the Neil Wyatt Lifetime Achievement Award.
Ffos Las groundstaff member Morgan Hughes was also recognised, receiving the Richard Linley Award.
NEWCASTLE – DUAL PURPOSE COURSE WINNER
The groundstaff team at Newcastle, led by Mark Ryan, were praised for preparing both the Turf and All-Weather courses “immaculately” throughout the year.
The achievement is particularly notable given the course’s schedule of around 70 fixtures, many of which are All-Weather meetings held in challenging conditions during the winter.
The Newcastle groundstaff team have also redesigned and rebuilt all the fences in-house, with the work receiving excellent feedback from jockeys and trainers during the Jumps season.
One panellist commented that Newcastle “have the most loyal team of groundstaff”.
Newcastle will now face the national Flat Course and Jump Course winners, with the overall award winner to be decided later.
RICHARD LANGLEY – BRIGHTON HEAD GROUNDSPERSON
SPECIAL MERIT AWARD
Richard Langley has gone above and beyond over the past year, demonstrating extraordinary determination and commitment both on and off the racecourse.
Alongside his work at Brighton, Richard set a world record for running the fastest 100 miles with a stoma bag fitted, completing the challenge in 29 hours, 6 minutes and 32 seconds and raising thousands of pounds for bowel cancer and stoma awareness.
In doing so, Richard represented the racing community with tremendous grit and determination.
He also worked tirelessly to ensure preparations for the Brighton Festival were completed ahead of his surgery.
SIMON DAVIS – SOUTHWELL ESTATES MANAGER
NEIL WYATT LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
There is no more deserving a winner of the Lifetime Achievement Award than Simon Davis.
In a career spanning more than 40 years, Simon has consistently demonstrated a quiet pride in getting things done – and done well.
Unflappable under pressure and totally dependable, Simon has worked more than his fair share of early mornings and late nights at Southwell, including leading and encouraging his team from the front and regularly working through the night during the days of the old Fibresand All-Weather surface.
Simon’s wealth of experience and knowledge has seen him prepare the Turf and All-Weather tracks for approximately 2,000 racedays at Southwell, working through droughts, floods and everything in between.
On every occasion, the tracks have been prepared to a high standard, with Simon demonstrating the utmost dedication to his role.
Christmas days have been “lost” to ensure racing has been kept on the road, and it is no surprise that Simon has been described as “the crucial part of the Southwell machine”.
MORGAN HUGHES – FFOS LAS GROUNDSTAFF
RICHARD LINLEY AWARD
Morgan “Mogs” Hughes has really embraced his apprenticeship at Ffos Las and consistently demonstrates a strong work ethic.
He picks up new tasks very quickly, is sharp-minded, and has rapidly developed his skills.
He is also a genuinely personable individual and a strong team player, making him a real asset to Ffos Las.
All in all, Morgan has made an excellent impression and is expected to continue developing throughout his career.
FFOS LAS – DUAL PURPOSE COURSE RUNNER-UP
Ffos Las has seen significant track and site activity over the last 12 months, which has resulted in improvements to both the racing surface and ancillary operational areas.
Working closely with contractors, the ground staff team have been involved in a wide range of projects, including improvements to drainage on the National Hunt track to improve consistency and reduce the risk of abandonment; levelling an on-track depression; refurbishing the post-racing washdown areas and horse walk; and the rubberisation of the paddock.
It has been an exceptionally busy year for the team, whose hard work has helped to further improve facilities and maintain the high standards expected at Ffos Las.
ARC Racing Director Ben Cook: "Everyone at ARC is delighted to see the teams at Newcastle and Ffos Las recognised by the RCA Groundstaff Awards; likewise, for Richard, Morgan and Simon, who have each been recognised for their individual contributions to their respective racecourses. Simon's dedication to Southwell Racecourse stretches over four decades and 2,000 fixtures. His expertise and knowledge of the Racecourse and its preparation reflect the commitment that goes in by teams across the country, for which everyone in racing is hugely grateful. Congratulations also to Morgan Hughes who has embraced the opportunities offered via his apprenticeship at Ffos Las and is a hugely deserving winner of the Richard Linley Award.
"Richard Langley is a massively popular member of the team at Brighton who has gone above and beyond in terms of both his day-to-day role as Head Groundsperson, as well as his incredible fundraising achievements in the face of difficult medical circumstances. Everyone at Brighton Racecourse and across ARC are delighted to see his professional and personal achievements recognised with the Special Merit Award.
For further information, please contact: Sam Cone, Arena Racing Company, on 07920 404296 or SCone@arenaracingcompany.co.uk; Hugo Barran, JSC Communications, on 07786 913215 or hugo@jsccomms.co.uk
