No racing at Great Leighs again in 2014

Great Leighs, the Essex all-weather racecourse that has not held a race since January 2009, has had its application to join next year’s fixture list allocation rejected by the British Horseracing Authority (BHA).

The racecourse opened in April 2008, but went into administration in 2009. Since then it has suffered several set backs. This is the second year running the track has had its bid to hold meetings rejected.

Great Leighs chairman Keith Brown said: “To say we are disappointed and angry is a huge understatement.

“At no stage has the BHA given any indication that they wish to see a return to racing at Great Leighs. The whole process has been driven by legal and accounting issues to find reasons to exclude us. We had met all the guidelines laid down.”

The BHA confirmed that it had considered the application, but “was not in a position to approve it”. Neither side has disclosed the formal reasons for the rejection.

This news story was first published in Horse & Hound magazine (4 July 2013)

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