HAYDOCK Park has been named Racecourse of the Year for the year 2000.

The forward-looking racetrack has invested millions of pounds in new facilities and is the first racecourse to win the coveted title for a second time.

The award is presented by the influential 'Travelling the Turf' annual. Haydock Park first one the title in 1998 and after winning the latest award racecourse managing director Richard Thomas, said: "This is just brilliant. Winning the award again reflects hugely on the efforts that have been made by all the staff.

"We are even more delighted to be the first racecourse in Britain to win it for a second time in the 15 years that it has been presented."

Travelling the Turf Editor, Julian West, said: "It was going to take a very special racecourse to take our title twice - and it is all credit to the people at Haydock that they are the ones that have succeeded.

"The strides forward that the racecourse has taken in the last few years have been remarkable."

Haydock's new Centenary Grandstand was opened during the summer at a cost of £3 million. Major investments have also been made in car parking and access to the racecourse from major roads. Further improvements are planned, including a new weighing room and winner's enclosure.The racecourse's fixture list has been considerably strengthened in recent years and next year 21 of the 30 meetings will be staged at weekends.

Prize money has also been greatly enhanced during the National Hunt season and the racecourse recently announced a 14 per cent increase in 1999/2000.

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