Future of Chelmsford City racecourse in the balance

The next three fixtures at Chelmsford, including the Essex track’s Good Friday fixture, have been cancelled after the British Horseracing Authority refused to grant a licence to the racecourse’s intended new operating company, Golden Mile Racing Limited.

The new company was formed after the previous licence holder, Great Leighs Estates Limited, was placed in administration.

The BHA board made a preliminary decision not to grant Golden Mile Racing Limited a licence at the weekend, but in accordance with the ruling body’s published criteria, GMRL had the ability to make oral and written representations to the board with legal representation and made their case on Tuesday.

But the board’s positioned remained that it did not consider it appropriate to grant GMRL a racecourse licence for Chelmsford City Racecourse, with the reasons kept confidential.

The decision means Chelmsford’s meetings on April 2, April 3 and April 9 will not be staged, pending the outcome of any appeal, and puts the future of the racecourse in significant doubt.

In accordance with the rules of racing, GMRL may appeal the board’s decision to the independent Licensing Committee. A request for permission to appeal must be made to the Judicial Panel Executive within 21 days of receipt of the decision being challenged.