Vincent Hinde Collection

Chelmsford City Racecourse

Although Great Leighs racecourse lasted barely 200 days, the course and Grandstand were maintained for the next 6 years and it was always the plan that it would be reopened. However, it took longer than expected and needed an injection of almost £14 million from the Betfred owner, Fred Done, before it was deemed ready for re-launching. It was on Sunday 11th January 2015 that the first meeting took place, albeit a trial one which was only open to invited guests. The course is situated some 9 miles from Chelmsford, and is actually much closer to Braintree than Chelmsford, but all 750 who attended the trial meeting thought the facilities were good, and the jockeys who rode at the meeting felt that the course itself was in excellent condition. The first race at the new course was won by the 2/1 favourite Tryster, ridden by Adam Kirby. The first actual meeting open to the public took place on Thursday 22nd January 2015 when the lowly Toteplacepot Maiden Auction Stakes over a mile was won by Golden Highway (7/1), trained by Mick Appleby and ridden by Luke Morris, beating Vale of Iron (8/1). The course has gone from strength to strength ever since, boasting 2 restaurants, one with an a la carte menu, and has sufficient stables to house 141 horses.
 Currently it hosts 62 fixtures annually.

Sunday 11th January 2015
Betfred Handicap over 1 1/4 miles
1. Tryster (2/1), owned by Godolphin, trained by Charlie Appleby, and ridden by Adam Kirby
2. Gaelic Silver (5/1), trained by George Moore and ridden by Hector Crouch
3. Docs Legacy (3/1), trained by Richard Fahey and ridden by Jack Garrity