Focus on Fontwell: 2011 was terrific - but we want to soar higher in 2012

It's been a tough year for everyone '“ but I'm pleased to say we're seeing growth at Fontwell Park, both in racing and non-racing business, writes racecourse executive director Phil Bell.

This has been the first full year of the Premier Grandstand being open and it continues to pull in the crowds.

As we look back on 2011 the highlight has to be our Royal Wedding race night, when a horse of that name won the first race. That raised our profile no end and we’ve been building on it since.

We’ve had many other high points too – from the success of Ladies’ Night to winning or being shortlisted for a host of awards – and the year’s not over yet.

Last weekend we were delighted to draw a big crowd for our fireworks, and Sunday was another big day, our 999 Emergency race day featuring the totepool Southern National.

The next big one for us is our Boxing Day racing. It was frozen off last year but we’re hopeful for this year and are looking at our biggest-ever crowd – we could get 10,000 here that day. That is a challenge for us.

We have a lot of extra preparation to do but we’re relishing it.