Great Leighs Racecourse

Great Leighs is the UKs first new racecourse in 80 years, Great Leighs racecourse is in Chelmsford Essex and Great Leighs can be the future of horseracing in the UK.

Britain’s first new racecourse since Taunton 80 years ago has at last begun racing and has a healthy 77 all-weather fixtures scheduled for 2008 mainly on Thursdays and Saturdays.

The first part of the £50 million development will see the launch of racing on the left-handed floodlit one mile two furlong Polytrack surface with the second phase including the first turf floodlit racing, a state of the art betting hall, equestrian park and on site training facilities.

The course is owned by entrepreneur John Holmes and is based on the site of the former Essex County Showground, five miles north of Chelmsford.

Great Leighs has bought the temporary hospitality grandstand that ran alongside the 17th fairway at the 2006 Ryder Cup. The acquisition of the De Boer Emperor structure, represents something of a coup for Great Leighs, whose efforts to become the first new track in Britain since 1927 have been plagued by planning difficulties and have seen its original start date in October put back twice.

John Holmes commented “We wanted a stylish grandstand to complement our paddock area. We searched literally all over Europe. I am thrilled to have bought this beautifully engineered building It goes way beyond what can be achieved with a temporary stand’’.

The structure accommodated clients on two floors at the Ryder Cup. Great Leighs will provide split usage, with around 50 hospitality boxes on the upper level and bars, food and betting shops on the ground floor.

There is a maximum field size of 18 and races will generally be run between 5f and 1m 2f many being run at 7f.