Great Leighs Racecourse

Open (with limited audiences initially) from Sunday 20th April 2008, Great Leighs was recognised as Britain's 60th track by the British Horseracing Board in June 2003. It is the first new-build racecourse to achieve planning permission since regulation was introduced by Act of Parliament in 1948.  The new racecourse opened to the public generally from 28th May 2008, when Essex Racing Club were proud to be one of the day's race sponsors. It went into Administration on 23rd January 2009 following the refusal of the BHA to extend the temporary licence that it had been operating under since 1st January, and news of a possible purchase by a new party is currently awaited.

Great Leighs is ready to meet the sporting and commercial challenges facing horseracing and the location in a prosperous region should attract a new audience. Eventually its own on-site training yard will give young trainers an important step up the ladder, and introduce others to the exhilaration of racehorse ownership.

View the Great Leighs website                                  Fixtures List

When visiting Great Leighs racecourse, you may wish to consider staying overnight or enjoying a meal at one of the local hotels whom Essex Racing Club recommend - ask about specially negotiated rates. Details of these are as follows - click on the links below.

  The County Hotel, Chelmsford (Club Sponsor)

 Windmill Inn, Chatham Green                   Purple Hotel, Braintree