The Jockey Club, which owns 15 prominent British racecourses including Cheltenham, Aintree, Epsom, and Newmarket, announced on Monday its decision to resign from the Racecourse Association (RCA) at the end of the year. This move follows Ascot's earlier resignation, highlighting a significant shift in the landscape of British horse racing.

This announcement coincides with the RCA's recent governance review aimed at preventing further exits. Jim Mullen, the Jockey Club’s chief executive, criticized the proposed changes, stating that the new voting structure, which would replace a one-track, one-vote system with four groups, fails to address their core concerns. He emphasized that the RCA continues to resist necessary reforms, such as establishing an independent British Horseracing Authority (BHA) board and making substantial alterations to the fixture list.

Mullen expressed the Jockey Club's intention to collaborate with Ascot Racecourse and other like-minded partners to create a new organization focused on the sport's long-term sustainability.

The departure of the Jockey Club and Ascot could lead to a split within the RCA, particularly if other major tracks like York, Goodwood, Newbury, and Chester choose to follow suit. This growing divide poses a constitutional challenge for the BHA and its new chair, Simon Cox, as the RCA's representation of racecourse owners is called into question.

A BHA spokesperson assured that they will continue discussions with racecourses regarding governance and will consider all proposals, prioritizing the industry's growth and sustainability.