Racehorse Owners Association

What Racehorse Owners Association does

Racehorse Owners Association (ROA), founded in 1945, is a UK-registered non-profit trade association (Racehorse Owners Association Limited) headquartered in Reading, Berkshire. It serves as the recognized collective voice of racehorse owners within British racing, representing over 7,500 individual and corporate members including individual owners, syndicates, racing clubs, and company owners. The organization engages directly with the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) on policy and governance, and partners with all 60 British racecourses through its accreditation and Gold Standard Award programs (assessed independently by AA Hotel & Hospitality Services).

ROA operates a multi-tier membership model spanning free Primary Membership through to Joint Membership at £498 annually, with intermediate tiers (Single/Company at £297, Racegoers Club at £60-£86, Associate and Associate Plus at £118.80-£133.80) designed for different owner categories. The core product surface includes a Racecourse Badge Scheme providing complimentary entry, free third-party liability insurance, an Owner Sponsorship Scheme enabling up to £4,000 annual VAT/sponsorship reclaim, and a dedicated VAT Solution Service integrated with HMRC and Xero. Adjacent benefits include The Owner Breeder magazine (print and digital via iOS/Android), Racing TV day passes covering 34 UK racecourses, VIP parking labels, and bespoke international racing tours via partner Venatour. Underpinning the operation is a member database maintained by Weatherbys, with marketing communications handled via Mailchimp and analytics through Google Analytics, Segment, and VWO.

The revenue model is entirely subscription-based, relying on recurring annual membership fees across tiers. Distribution is direct (online, phone, post, direct debit) with no external investors, parent company, or subsidiaries. Strategic value is generated through regulatory advocacy, racecourse quality benchmarking, financial-services adjacencies (VAT reclaim, insurance, sponsorship), and an integrated owner ecosystem that is difficult for any new entrant to replicate given the institutional recognition and BHA relationship.

Name

Racehorse Owners Association

Legal name

Racehorse Owners Association Limited

Website

https://roa.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1945

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Membership Association Services

NAICS

Spectator Sports (71121)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Racing, Including Track Operation (7948)

akta.pro primary industry

Racing Associations, Governance & Integrity Services (MPAEADAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Racecourse Hospitality, Sponsorship & On-Track Experiences (MPAEADAM), Racehorse Ownership, Syndication & Investment Platforms (MPAEADAG)

Keywords

• Racehorse ownership advocacy
• Membership association services
• British horseracing representation
• Racecourse accreditation programs
• VAT reclamation services

Headquarters

HQ city

Reading

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: The ROA generates revenue primarily through membership subscriptions with various tiers: Single/Company (£297/year), Joint (£498/year), Racegoers Club Single (£60/year), Joint (£86/year), Associate (£118.80/year), Associate Plus (£133.80/year), and free Primary Membership.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

The Racehorse Owners Association (ROA) is a membership-based representative body that provides racehorse owners in Great Britain with advocacy, racecourse access benefits, insurance, sponsorship recovery schemes, VAT reclaim services, and member privileges. Core offerings include tiered annual memberships (Single, Joint, Company, Primary, Racegoers Club, Associate, Associate Plus), with the ROA VAT Solution and Racecourse Badge Scheme as key ancillary services. The organization also administers the Racecourse Accreditation Scheme and Gold Standard Award across all 60 British racecourses.

Product overview

The Racehorse Owners Association (ROA) operates as a membership-based organization offering a multi-tiered membership portfolio with different levels (Single, Joint, Company, Primary, Racegoers Club, Associate, Associate Plus) priced from £0 to £498 annually. The core offering centers on membership benefits including free racecourse entry, insurance, sponsorship schemes, and discounts. The product portfolio includes the ROA VAT Solution for VAT reclaim services, the Racecourse Badge Scheme for complimentary racecourse access, and the ROA Gold Standard Award/Racecourse Accreditation Scheme for quality benchmarking. Additional offerings include Racing TV Day Passes, The Owner Breeder Magazine (available via iOS and Android apps), VIP Car Park Labels, Venatour Racing Tours, and comprehensive racecourse information services. The ROA integrates with Weatherbys (membership database), the British Horseracing Authority (governance), HMRC and Xero (VAT services), and uses Mailchimp for marketing communications.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Single Membership Individual racehorse owner membership providing access to all ROA benefits including free racecourse entry, insurance, sponsorship, and member discounts. Annual subscription at £297.00 including VAT.
• Joint Membership Dual membership for two individuals sharing racehorse ownership, providing access to all ROA benefits at £498.00 per year including VAT.
• Company Membership Corporate membership for companies owning racehorses, offering full access to ROA benefits at £297.00 per year including VAT.
• Primary Membership Free membership tier providing basic access to ROA services and information for eligible racehorse owners.
• Racegoers Club Membership option for racing enthusiasts at £60.00 per year (Single) or £86.00 per year (Joint) including VAT, offering access to racegoer benefits.
• Associate Membership Tailored membership for Syndicate and Racing Club owners at £118.80 including VAT, offering specially designed benefits for this ownership type.
• Associate Plus Membership Enhanced Syndicate and Racing Club membership tier at £133.80 including VAT with additional benefits beyond standard Associate Membership.
• ROA VAT Solution Service enabling racehorse owners to reclaim VAT on racing activities, with simplified claiming process. Allows reclaim of up to £4,000 through sponsorship activities. Integrated with HMRC and Xero.
• Racecourse Badge Scheme for Owners Provides complimentary racecourse entry badges for racehorse owners, with number varying by racecourse (typically 6-8 entry badges and 6-8 paddock badges per runner).
• ROA Insurance Schemes Provides FREE third-party liability insurance cover for ROA members as a member benefit.
• Owner Sponsorship Scheme Sponsorship scheme enabling owners to claim back racing activity expenses, with reclaim of up to £4,000 annually through appropriate Tote logo displays.
• The Owner Breeder Magazine Monthly magazine for the racing and breeding industry provided to ROA members, featuring interviews with industry leaders, sales reports, pedigree analysis, and prize-money tables. Available digitally via iTunes and Pocket Mags apps.
• Racing TV Day Pass Free day passes for ROA members to watch their horse run via Racing TV, accessible online or through Sky TV, website, mobile or TV apps. Covers 34 UK racecourses.
• Venatour Racing Tours Bespoke horseracing tours in partnership with Venatour, providing members with exclusive racing tours, high-end experiences, and personal discounts on overseas tours including Dubai World Cup, Breeders Cup, and Melbourne Cup.
• ROA Gold Standard Award Accreditation program recognizing racecourses delivering high-quality raceday experiences for owners. Assessed by AA Hotel & Hospitality Services based on 38 core aspects of owner journey. Requires 85%+ accreditation score plus owner feedback criteria.
• ROA Racecourse Accreditation Scheme Independent review program assessing owners' raceday experiences using defined criteria. Conducted in partnership with AA Hospitality Services, evaluating pre-raceday communication, facilities, food and beverage, viewing experience, and post-race engagement.
• VIP Car Park Label ROA/RCA car park label providing access to Owners' and Trainers' car parks at racing fixtures, typically offering premium parking closer to the main entrance.

Quantifiable outcome

• Members save an average of £100 on racecourse entry
• +2 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles7 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration21 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Weatherbys LimitedcoreTechnology or IntegrationWeatherbys maintains the ROA's membership database and performs related services in relation to the software of that database. They handle identity data and contact data sharing.
• British Horseracing Authority (BHA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe BHA is responsible for the governance, administration, and regulation of horseracing and the wider racing industry in Britain. Identity data and contact data are shared with BHA.
• HMRC and Xero LimitedcoreTechnology or IntegrationFor members signing up to the VAT Solution Service, identity data, contact data, financial data, technical data, and VAT data are shared with HMRC and Xero Limited, which provides the online platform.
• Mailchimp (The Rocket Science Group LLC)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerContact data and marketing communications data are shared with Mailchimp for email marketing communications. Members can object or withdraw consent at any time.
• VenatourminorGTM or Marketing PartnerROA partnered with Venatour to provide members with bespoke horseracing tours and exclusive discounts on overseas tours. Members can pick up discount codes in the Members Area.
• Racing TVcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerROA partnered with Racing TV to bring members free day passes for days when they have a runner. Members can access the main Racing TV channel or dedicated live feed from the track.
• AA Hotel & Hospitality ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAA Hospitality Services conducts independent assessments of racecourses for the ROA Racecourse Accreditation Scheme and Gold Standard Award, providing fair, consistent, and constructive feedback.
• Arena Racing Company (ARC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerARC racecourses partner with ROA to offer owners generous badge options including up to 8 owners' badges for private hospitality areas and up to 20 syndicate badges with complimentary lunch.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• British Horseracing Authority: The statutory regulator and governing body of British horseracing; the ROA's primary policy counterpart and partner, operating at a broader industry-wide level rather than as an owner membership body.
• The Jockey Club: Largest commercial horse racing organisation in the UK, operating racecourses and events; broader incumbent whose portfolio overlaps with the racecourse experience the ROA accredits and benchmarks.
• Horseracing Betting Levy Board: Statutory body that collects the betting levy and redistributes it to British racing; an industry-funding incumbent adjacent to ROA's owner-advocacy and prize-money remit.

Direct peers

• National Trainers Federation: UK membership body for licensed racehorse trainers; another constituency-specific racing trade association, comparable in structure, funding model, and policy remit to ROA.
• Racecourse Association: The UK trade body for racecourses; co-partners with ROA on the Owners' Racecourse of the Year award (Hamilton Park 2025) and sits at the same tier of British racing governance.
• Professional Jockeys Association: UK membership body representing professional jockeys; another racing-constituency trade association with comparable advocacy, welfare, and member-benefit structure to ROA.
• The Thoroughbred Breeders' Association: UK membership body for thoroughbred breeders; structurally analogous to ROA — a niche industry trade association representing a specific constituency within British racing and offering tiered memberships and policy advocacy.

Regional players

• Irish Horseracing Regulatory Authority: Ireland's national regulator for horseracing; a regional counterpart performing the BHA-equivalent governance role in a neighbouring jurisdiction where some ROA members also race.
• Asian Racing Federation: Regional federation coordinating horseracing across Asian jurisdictions; comparable industry-coordination function to ROA but operating across a non-overlapping geography.
• Racing Victoria: Principal racing authority for Victoria, Australia; a regional peer that combines governance and industry-stakeholder representation, analogous to the ROA's role in Britain.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/RacehorseOwners
• Facebookfacebook.com/RacehorseOwnersUK
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/racehorse-owners-association

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Racehorse Owners Association