Chelmsford receives fixtures boost
Last Updated: 02/10/14 10:50am
Chelmsford City managing director says the racecourse formerly known as Great Leighs has been granted 56 fixtures by the British Horseracing Authority for next year.
The Essex track was only open for a few months between 2008 and 2009 before shutting due to financial difficulties but it has been taken over by a new joint company, including Betfred.
Construction of new facilities is well under way and it was announced in July the BHA had already given the venue 12 'start-up' meetings for 2015.
Chelmsford City would then be allowed to apply for more.
Managing director Phil Siers told BBC Radio Essex: "We are scheduled to start racing on, or around about, the middle of January of next year.
"We'll probably have a couple of meetings in January to give us a small start into the racing season but we've already been guaranteed 56 fixtures next year from the BHA so there'll be a full programme."