Horse racing cancelled after licence refused
The British Horseracing Authority says the last-minute cancellations are "regrettable".
A fixture went ahead at Chelmsford City Racecourse on Thursday (pictured) the day after the previous operator went into administration [Getty Images] All forthcoming fixtures at Chelmsford City Racecourse have been cancelled after the British Horseracing Authority refused to give the new operator a licence. Chelmsford City Racecourse opened in 2015 and now hosts weddings and music festivals, including a festival headlined by Justin Timberlake in July . The previous tenant of the course, Great Leighs Estates Limited (GLEL), was placed in administration last month.
A new tenant, Golden Mile Racing Limited (GMRL), applied for a fresh licence, but the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) refused the request. The BHA said the fixtures that were scheduled for Thursday, Friday and 9 April were among the dates cancelled. "It is regrettable they have been cancelled at such short notice," a spokesperson said.
"We recognise this will impact owners, participants – especially trainers, staff and jockeys – as well as racegoers. " Chelmsford City Racecourse opened in 2015 [PA Media] An administrator was appointed for GLEL on 25 March, but the BHA said a fixture went ahead the following day "with agreement" from the administrator. BHA said GLEL's licence expired on Tuesday.
GMRL made a case for a new licence to the BHA board on the same day, but "having considered the matter carefully", they refused to grant one. "The reasons for this decision are confidential," the spokesperson added. The venue first opened as Great Leighs Racecourse in 2008, becoming the first new racecourse in Britain in more than 80 years.