Chelmsford's Future in Doubt After License Loss

Chelmsford's future has been thrown into huge doubt after the racecourse lost its license to host fixtures and its upcoming meetings, including the high-profile Good Friday card April 3, were cancelled. Last week, Great Leighs Estates Limited, the company that operated the track, went into administration, with its March 26 meeting able to go ahead only after special dispensation was provided by the British Horseracing Authority and the administrator, Begbies Traynor. While entries were permitted for race days April 2-3 this week by the BHA, the fixtures were contingent on approval by the regulator, which has been in the process of licensing another company, Golden Mile Racing Limited, to take over the running of the track. However, the BHA said April 1 that following written and oral representations to the board by Golden Mile Racing Limited, the decision had been taken not to grant the company a license as it "did not consider it appropriate." The regulator added that its reasons for denying a license were confidential. The BHA added in a statement: "This means that regrettably no further fixtures will be staged at Chelmsford pending the outcome of any appeal process. "The fixtures on April 2 and April 3 will not be rescheduled. Plans for future fixtures including April 9 will be announced in due course. The BHA has worked tirelessly with stakeholders to deliver this week's fixtures. It is regrettable they have been canceled at such short notice. "We recognize this will impact owners, participants—especially trainers, staff, and jockeys—as well as racegoers. Further updates as regards this situation will be provided as appropriate." Speaking March 28, Nathan Holmes, Chelmsford's commercial director, said the planned relicensing was part of a "long-planned ongoing restructure" of the venue and that "the move supports the long-term interests of the racecourse estate". Chelmsford was first opened as Great Leighs racecourse in 2008, but closed a year later having run into financial difficulties. It reopened in 2015, but problems have been building at the track since last year. In October, a fixture narrowly avoided being delayed after an agreement was reached with medical staff to allow it to go ahead, but only after a planned stalls test before the meeting had been cancelled due to their non-attendance. On New Year's Eve, racecourse staff were informed they would receive only 80% of their monthly salary, which management blamed on "circumstances beyond our control". The situation has since been resolved. The racecourse was also involved in legal action with a company regarding the hosting of a Justin Timberlake concert at the track last summer. The case was settled out of course prior to Great Leighs Estates Limited going into administration.