The brand new operator has been denied a racecourse licence following the earlier holder’s collapse into administration final month.
Chelmsford Metropolis Racecourse opened in 2015 (Picture: Getty)
Racing at Chelmsford Metropolis Racecourse has been dropped at an abrupt halt after the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) confirmed on Wednesday that it has refused to grant the brand new operator a racecourse licence. The venue hosts year-round horse racing alongside a variety of different occasions, together with restaurant eating, weddings and main stay music reveals resembling a pageant headlined by Justin Timberlake in July. All upcoming fixtures on the Essex observe have been cancelled with quick impact after the BHA rejected an utility from new operator Golden Mile Racing Restricted (GMRL).
The choice comes after the earlier licence holder, Nice Leighs Estates Restricted (GLEL), entered administration in March. The BHA defined that the fixture held on the racecourse on March 26 went forward beneath the earlier licence holder, GLEL, and with the administrator’s settlement. Nevertheless, the licence held by GLEL expired on March 31, and so future fixtures want a brand new licence holder to be in place.
The BHA introduced as we speak {that a} racecourse licence won’t be granted to Golden Mile Racing Restricted (Picture: Getty)
In consequence, fixtures scheduled for early April, together with these deliberate for April 2, 3 and 9, have all been scrapped, with no racing permitted on the venue except the scenario is resolved or a profitable enchantment is lodged.
A press release mentioned: “GMRL representatives made their case to the Board on March 31. Having thought-about the matter rigorously and brought full account of the factors raised, the Board’s place remained that it didn’t take into account it acceptable to grant a racecourse licence for CCR to GMRL. The explanations for this choice are confidential.
“The Board’s choice means GMRL shouldn’t be licensed to stage any fixtures, pending the end result of any enchantment. Which means that, regrettably, no additional fixtures shall be staged at CCR pending the end result of any enchantment course of. This contains the fixtures on 2 April, 3 April and 9 April.”
Golden Mile Racing Restricted now has 21 days to enchantment the choice by means of the unbiased licensing course of. The fixtures on April 2 and April 3 won’t be rescheduled. Plans for future fixtures together with April 9 shall be introduced sooner or later, the BHA mentioned.
The regulator added: “The BHA has labored tirelessly with stakeholders to ship this week’s fixtures. It’s regrettable they’ve been cancelled at such brief discover. We recognise it will influence individuals – particularly trainers, employees and jockeys – in addition to racegoers. Additional updates as regards this case shall be offered as acceptable.”
Chelmsford Metropolis mentioned in an announcement addressed to house owners and trainers that they met all circumstances set by the BHA to switch the racing licence to new operator Golden Mile Racing Restricted, together with securing funding, governance modifications, and efficiently staging a latest fixture with out points. The racecourse claimed the BHA initially accepted these preparations, however then unexpectedly reversed its place simply days earlier than the scheduled races.
Chelmsford Metropolis added: “We’re not performed combating. Chelmsford Metropolis Racecourse is formally difficult this choice by means of each avenue obtainable to us, together with the BHA’s personal appeals course of.
“We consider the choice was procedurally unfair, contradicts the BHA’s personal printed guidelines, and has triggered solely avoidable injury to the game and everybody who will depend on it. “
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Opened in 2008, Nice Leighs Racecourse entered administration a 12 months later and reopened in 2015 beneath new possession.
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