Ahead of TheStadiumBusiness ASIA 2025, we caught up with Gavin Pattison, Facilities Manager of York Racecourse.
Reigning UK Racecourse of the Year and home to the World’s Best Race in 2024, the Juddmonte International, York Racecourse in York, England stages 18 days of high-quality flat horseracing.
Pattison started his career as a joiner by trade and took a role at the National Museum of Photography, Film & Television, where he installed and manufactured exhibitions. Over time, he worked his way up to deliver major capital projects and progressed to become Head of Estates North for the Science Museum Group.
From there, Pattison moved on to Bradford College as Head of Estates and Facilities, managing a team of 130 staff across a large and diverse estate. He is now delivering his eighth season as Head of Facilities and Project Lead at York Racecourse.
TheStadiumBusiness: What projects are you currently working on, or have recently been completed, at York Racecourse?
Gavin Pattison: “We recently delivered the award-winning Bustardthorpe Development, which I was proud to lead.
“The scheme transformed the southern end of the racecourse with new bars and food outlets, a landscaped lawn and canopy, a staff welfare hub, and innovative sustainable features like rainwater harvesting and solar panels, all delivered under our Green Knavesmire 300 environmental strategy. The project was officially opened by Queen Camilla and was recognised at the 2024 RCA Showcase Awards and recent Construction Industry Design Awards.
“Right now, we’re in the thick of a busy racing season, and the great news is that attendances are up on last year. We’ll welcome around 350,000 racegoers across the season, which is a testament to the hard work of the team and the loyalty of our racegoers.
“And of course, we were honoured to see York named as the host of the Best Horse Race in the World 2024 for the Juddmonte International, so that brings a sense of pride and a responsibility to continue delivering top-class experiences.”
TSB: “What’s in the pipeline for the venue over the next six to 12 months?
GP: “This winter, we’ll be delivering several refurbishment projects, including a refresh of our hospitality boxes and a full upgrade of the ground floor Ebor Building to further enhance the raceday experience.
“We’re also progressing plans to expand our Stableside on-site accommodation, adding 32 new rooms. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2026, with completion targeted for April 2027.
“Alongside this, we’re in the process of developing a long-term masterplan. This will shape our strategic direction for the next five to 10 years and includes several multi-million-pound developments that will enhance both the racing and non-racing sides of our operations, ensuring York remains a leading destination, not just for racing, but for major events.”
TSB: What are you most looking forward to about TheStadiumBusiness Asia 2025?
GP: “I’ve never been to Hong Kong, so I’m genuinely excited, both personally and professionally. It’ll be great to meet new people, make connections, and learn how things are done in Asia. Kai Tak Sports Park looks like something special, so I’m looking forward to seeing that up close.
“A visit to Happy Valley Racecourse is sure to be a highlight too, it’s iconic in our world. After the summit, I’ll be heading over to Australia to work with the team at Flemington Racecourse as they prepare for the Melbourne Cup.
“It’s a fantastic opportunity to see how another world-class racing venue operates during its biggest week. Flemington attracts over 280,000 visitors across their Melbourne Cup Carnival, so it’s a massive operation.
“I’m looking forward to seeing how they do things, learning from their team, and bringing some fresh thinking back to York.”
Join Gavin and hundreds of sports and entertainment execs at Dorsett Kai Tak Hotel, adjacent to Kai Tak Sports Park in Hong Kong, on 21-23 October as we explore the future of design, operations and technology for Asia’s sports and entertainment venues – only at TheStadiumBusiness ASIA 2025.
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