CHELMSFORD
CITY
Originally known as GREAT LEIGHS, the course was first opened in April 2008, being the first entirely new racecourse in the U.K since 1927 ( Taunton ). It was built on the old Essex County Showground.
It went into administration in January 2009 and racing didn't resume till January 2015.
Great Leighs was developed by John Holmes and his son Jonathan. It is a left-handed polytrack oval with a two furlong home straight.
The original grandstand was previously used for the golf Ryder Cup in 2006.
The opening was planned to be in October 2006 but it was deferred a number of times and didn't open until April 2008 and then to the public on May 28th.
The veue received a considerable criticism for the incomplete state of the visitor facilties and attendances failed to meet expections and it closed in under a year.
After several years of fruitless talks with the main creditor, The ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND, it looked like the facility would put to an alternative use.
However, in late 2013, s syndigate headed by BETFRED'S FRED DONE, bought the track and ploughed millions into the project in order to satisfy the BHA enough to allow a fixture allocation. Only 12 were awarded for 2015 at first, but this was later increased to 58 for the year.
The main stand is on the inside of the track, which is unusual, but with quality lighting, a large screen, plus a two furlong finishing straight, all the action can be seen.
The management have obviously listened to the regular punters and as well as the top of the range dining area, an excellent carvery has been provided at very keen prices, along with the normal fast food outlets.
For racing in the depths of winter, CHELMSFORD CITY, is certainly the best place to be. The main stand is pleasantly warm and racegoers don't have to venture outdoors if the weather is very bad. It's nice however to watch your horses pass the winning post, so one can go outside for a few minutes and perhaps take a look in the Parade Ring, knowing that on the return to the stand, you will soon warm up gain.
During the winter months, the BOOKMAKERS are all inside, so another reason to keep in the warm. The TOTE is also of course in operation as it is owned by BETFRED.
FORTHCOMING FIXTURES
THURSDAY MAY 2 , 9 , 23 ( all floodlit ). THURSDAYS JUNE 6 ( FLOODLIT ) AND JUNE 20 (daytime)
JULY : ONE ONLY SUNDAY JULY 7th ( afternoon ).
AUGUST : TUESDAY 6, THURSDAYS 15, 22, (floodlit ) THURSDAY 29 ( afternoon.)
SATURDAY AUGUST 31 ( floodlit )
CHECKPOINT CHELMO
IN DECEMBER 2021 THE CHELMSFORD CITY MANAGEMENT DECIDED TO IMPOSE CERTAIN CONDITIONS OF ENTRY, SUCH AS COVID PASSPORTS, PHOTO IDS PLUS A PROBE FOR WEAPONS. CONDITIONS NOT REQUIRED FOR ANY RACECOURSE IN ENGLAND.
MOVING ON ? : WELL NOT ENTIRELY :- AS OF JAN 2024, THE PHOTO ID CONDITION STILL APPLIES, WITH ENTRY BEING REFUSED IF YOU HAVEN'T GOT ONE.
The Photo ID thing ,isn't too bad if you go to the races in ones and twos, however if you are unlucky enough to get behind a coach load of punters or a queue has been formed because the stadium gates were not opened 2 hours* before racetime as published, you will have to wait in the cold ( or rain ) and may well miss the start of racing as hundreds did at a meeting in 2022.
* At one meeting in December 2022, the gates were not opened till 1 hour before the first race which is not exactly user friendly.
Security of course is fine but for race meetings of around 500 punters or less quite often ,the current conditions do nothing to bring more people to racing.
Get up to date information directly from Chelmsford City but clicking on the link above