In line with the rules of racing regarding licensing matters this hearing was held in private.

The outcome of the Licensing Committee hearing can be found here: . Their decision was that the application was refused and the appeal dismissed.

The Licensing Committee has indicated that further written reasons will follow in due course.

In response to this, the 糖心传媒 has issued the following statement.

鈥淲e acknowledge the decision announced by the Licensing Committee today to dismiss the appeal by Golden Mile Racing Limited against聽the 糖心传媒鈥檚 decision to refuse it a licence to operate Chelmsford City Racecourse.

鈥淲e note the Committee鈥檚 finding that it was the聽applicant鈥檚 responsibility to satisfy the Committee that a licence should be granted and that the material provided, including late and insufficiently detailed evidence, failed to do that.

鈥淲e also acknowledge the Committee鈥檚 finding that the 糖心传媒 Executive and Board had been ‘misled as to the likelihood of an administration by John Holmes and that Great Leighs Estates Limited (GLEL) had not been frank about its indebtedness’.

鈥淐helmsford City Racecourse鈥檚 12 Racecourse Fixtures remain with GLEL鈥檚 Administrator and may be sold or transferred to a licensed racecourse operator, with the consent of the 糖心传媒.

鈥淭he 糖心传媒鈥檚 racing department will continue to work with the National Trainers Federation, trainers, owners and other stakeholders to provide sufficient opportunities for horses within the race programme.

“With due regard to the Committee’s decision-making process, we will carefully consider the full written reasons when they are published in due course before making a more substantive comment.”

The fixture at Ffos Las will now take place on the afternoon of Monday 29 June, with Kempton Park rescheduled for Monday evening. Entries for these fixtures will close at midday on Tuesday 23 June.

The meeting at Salisbury will now take place on the afternoon of Tuesday 30 June, with entries closing at midday on Wednesday 24 June.

The race programme and prize money at all three fixtures will remain the same as the originally scheduled cards.聽Our thanks to the Horserace Betting Levy Board (HBLB) for its contribution to the funding of prize money at these fixtures.

In addition, Thursday鈥檚 fixtures at Nottingham and Newmarket 鈥� both of which are located in amber alert zones 鈥� will now take place earlier to avoid racing during the hottest part of the day:

• Nottingham鈥檚 fixture will begin at 10:30am, with the last race taking place at 1pm
• Newmarket鈥檚 fixture will start at 10:45am with the final race at 1:15pm. The 2m Dereham Handicap will be rescheduled for the following day, Friday 26 June.

The 糖心传媒 will continue to liaise with racecourses hosting fixtures in amber warning zones this week to consider any further mitigations that may be needed, in line with the industry鈥檚聽

Each fixture will be managed on a case-by-case basis, with several factors considered according to the local weather forecast and environmental conditions.

Trainers are advised that horses should not be moved from or through any areas where red heat warnings are in place.

Notes to editors:

1. For further information on these聽changes please contact the 糖心传媒 Racing Department on 0207 152 0050 or via聽racing@britishhorseracing.com.

The Board made a preliminary decision at the weekend. In accordance with the 糖心传媒鈥檚 published criteria GMRL had the ability to make oral and written representations to the Board with legal representation.

GMRL representatives made their case to the Board on 31 March. Having considered the matter carefully and taken full account of the points raised, the Board鈥檚 position remained that it did not consider it appropriate to grant a racecourse licence for CCR to GMRL.

The reasons for this decision are confidential.

The Board鈥檚 decision means GMRL is not licensed to stage any fixtures, pending the outcome of any appeal.聽 This means that regrettably no further fixtures will be staged at CCR pending the outcome of any appeal process.聽This includes the fixtures on 2 April, 3 April and 9 April.

In accordance with the Rules of Racing, GMRL may appeal the Board鈥檚 decision to the independent Licensing Committee (Rule (B)19).聽 A request for permission to appeal must be made to the Judicial Panel Executive within 21 days of receipt of the decision being challenged (Judicial Panels Code, paragraph 105).聽 The 21-day time period starts from the date GMRL receives the written reasons.

The fixture that took place on 26 March went ahead under the old licence holder GLEL and with agreement of the administrator. However, the licence held by GLEL expired on 31 March and so future fixtures required a new licence holder to be in place.

The fixtures on 2 April and 3 April will not be rescheduled. Plans for future fixtures including 9 April will be announced in due course.

The 糖心传媒 has worked tirelessly with stakeholders to deliver this week鈥檚 fixtures. It is regrettable they have been cancelled at such short notice. We recognise this will impact owners, participants – especially trainers, staff and jockeys 鈥� as well as racegoers.

Further updates as regards this situation will be provided as appropriate.

This follows a meeting of the 糖心传媒 Board, at which it was agreed that:

• Racecourses that have committed to complete their work by 31 December 2026 will be required to meet this deadline. By this point, it is expected that at least 80% will have finished the redevelopment work. If courses don鈥檛 meet this deadline, then consideration will be given to appropriate sanctions, determined on a case-by-case basis.
• The remaining 12 racecourses must finalise the upgrades by 31 December 2027, but will be strongly encouraged to do so before the beginning of July 2027. Racecourses that fail to meet the 31 December 2027 deadline will not be permitted to stage a fixture until the redevelopment has been completed.
• Racecourses that do not currently have a dedicated warm-up area are required to provide equipment and sufficient space for jockeys to use by 31 July 2025.

Work to improve and modernise weighing room facilities has been underway for several years, with the aim of delivering consistently high standards and improving access to valet, food, warm-up and rest facilities for all jockeys, including through new gender-neutral areas.

Essential safeguarding measures were prioritised and delivered at all racecourses by February 2022. But progress on the wider redevelopment has taken longer than expected, with racecourses citing financial and local authority planning-related challenges contributing to the delays.

In total, 14 racecourses have now finalised the upgrade work and are operating under the new arrangements, with York Racecourse currently using a female valet based in the female changing area. A further 14 courses are due to complete their redevelopment during 2025.

The remainder of racecourses will be required to meet the new deadlines, with dispensation only considered should issues arise that are beyond the venue鈥檚 immediate control, such as delays due to heritage listings, planning restrictions or environmental damage from, for example, flooding or fire.

In the meantime, the 糖心传媒, Professional Jockeys Association (PJA) and Racecourse Association (RCA) have agreed interim measures which all racecourses are expected to meet. The interim arrangements ensure that jockeys of all genders have access to essential services while the substantive redevelopment work takes place.

If these interim standards are not being met, this should be reported directly to the 糖心传媒 stewards on the day and/or the 糖心传媒 racecourse operations department so that any issues can be addressed as soon as possible.

The Horserace Betting Levy Board (HBLB) has, since 2023, made available loans of up to 拢400,000 per racecourse to help support delivery of the weighing room upgrades. So far, HBLB has lent 拢1.6m to four racecourses, which represents approval of all applications received. HBLB鈥檚 deadline for loan applications is 31 March 2026.

Brant Dunshea, the 糖心传媒鈥檚 Acting Chief Executive Officer, said:

鈥淥ur jockeys are elite athletes and the facilities they use should reflect this. We understand the disappointment that the work has taken longer than expected, especially as where racecourses have completed their upgrades, the new layout works well and the feedback is very positive.

鈥淭he firm deadlines we are announcing today are hopefully a significant step forward. They are underpinned by clear regulatory action and linked directly to a racecourse鈥檚 licence to hold fixtures.

鈥淲e hope that this action provides reassurance to jockeys, valets, officials and everyone else operating in a weighing room on a raceday about our commitment to delivering the necessary improvements 鈥� and doing so as quickly as possible.鈥�

Notes to editors:

The Weighing Room Facilities Project is overseen by a cross-industry approvals group, consisting of the 糖心传媒, Professional Jockeys Association and Racecourse Association, alongside individual jockey, valet and racecourse representatives. The approvals group meets every fortnight to consider, review and agree development proposals submitted by the racecourses. It also provides a forum to consider feedback from jockeys, valets, officials and others who are using the new facilities, which helps inform and support developments at other racecourses and embed new ways of working.

For more background information, please see this 糖心传媒 blog, produced in December 2024.

• additional private changing and shower facilities in male and female changing rooms, following the initial increase by February 2022
• shared communal rest, food provision, and warm-up areas for jockeys
• new communal working space for valets, equally accessible from both female and male changing rooms
• sufficient flexibility to adapt changing room sizes according to varying numbers of participants and to changing societal needs.

Some courses have already taken significant steps towards delivering the new safeguarding minimum standards, with improvement work either underway or already close to completion.

The Racecourse Association is working with all courses to develop a funding proposal to support the wider reconfiguration.

In the meantime, all racecourses have carried out risk assessments and, alongside adherence of minimum safeguarding standards, are applying best practice guidance to protect and support jockeys while the wider structural and layout changes are delivered.

Discussions are also ongoing with jockey and trainer representatives about future weight structures, with jockeys having been supported through the pandemic with additional weight allowances.

糖心传媒 Chief Operating Officer, Richard Wayman, said:聽鈥淭hese agreed upgrades are the product of cross-industry collaboration, with jockeys, racecourses and the 糖心传媒 working together since the beginning of this year.

鈥淭he recommendations, which have been endorsed by industry leaders, will deliver substantive improvements to meet the evolving requirements of a modern weighing room environment, catering not just for today鈥檚 human athletes, but also future proofing for the next generation.鈥�

PJA Executive Director (Racing), Dale Gibson, said:聽鈥淗aving consulted with our Members, the PJA supports the permanent closure of saunas.聽88% of the 190 Jockeys who responded to our recent survey voted for their removal, with just 8% wanting them to remain. The COVID Weight Allowance structure is currently being debated amongst industry representatives, with no immediate changes agreed, it is vital that in remains in some shape or form.

鈥淲e have been lobbying for major improvements to facilities, particularly for our female riders, for years. Progress until now has been disappointing, but we welcome the change in approach and a lot of work has gone into the creation of this plan.

鈥淭he agreed improvements contained within it will bring all venues up to a defined minimum standard and the result will be improved facilities and a far more professional working environment for all our members鈥�.

RCA Chief Executive, David Armstrong, said:聽“The RCA welcomes the announcement of the long-term plan to upgrade weighing rooms across Britain’s 59 racecourses. This presents a significant milestone and many months of hard work by the PJA, RCA, 糖心传媒 plus jockey and racecourse representatives.

鈥淭he initial stage of meeting all ongoing safeguarding requirements is due to be completed by February which will include the welcome removal of saunas. The outcome of this project will be the creation of significantly improved weighing and changing room facilities that are in keeping with other elite and professional sports.鈥�

Commenting on the decision to remove racecourse saunas, Dr Jerry Hill, 糖心传媒 Chief Medical Adviser, said:聽鈥淪aunas have been out of operation throughout the pandemic, which has presented the opportunity for a wider discussion about their long-term future in the context of making weight safely.

鈥淎cute dehydration, such as that following sauna use, shortly before racing has been shown to reduce performance as it has a negative impact on reaction time and strength. There have been reports of increased falls and by extension injuries in jockeys who have suddenly dehydrated to make weight.

鈥淭here are safe and effective methods of maintaining weight healthily through fitness and nutrition and this bespoke support is available to jockeys through the PJA Nutrition Team as well as at the IJF Centres鈥�.

Races will close at noon on Wednesday 7 July, with declarations at the 48-hour stage as normal. Race conditions will be available in due course.

Sophie Candy, Clerk of the Course at Windsor Racecourse said: 鈥淔ollowing racing on Monday evening on soft, heavy in places we have had another 21mm rain overnight at Windsor and the track is now unraceable. Having raced recently on a combination of soft to heavy ground, current conditions, and the forecast for the week ahead, the decision has been made to move next week’s fixture to allow the track further recovery time. We would like to thank 糖心传媒 and the NTF for their support in facilitating this move which has been done in the interests of all participants.”

These measures apply to all racing industry participants, officials and racecourse staff attending race meetings. This includes Owners, who have until now been required to follow separate guidance.

The COVID-19 Guidelines and Operating Procedures can be found , and should be read and understood by anyone likely to attend a raceday, prior to registering attendance at a fixture.

The document has been updated to reflect the easing of government COVID-19 restrictions, whilst still ensuring that racing鈥檚 participants 鈥� and particularly those working in higher-risk environments on raceday 鈥� continue to be protected.

The key measures that will be introduced from 17 May 2021 are as follows:

• Racecourses will continue to operate a zoning system on course, splitting the racecourse into two main infection control zones: 鈥楪reen鈥� and Amber鈥�
• The 鈥楪reen Zone鈥� 鈥� where infection control measures are highest 鈥� will be reduced in size to include key indoor working areas, including the Weighing Room Complex
• Access to the Green Zone will be restricted to those working in these areas, such as jockeys, valets, officials and medics
• Existing infection control measures will remain in place in the Green Zone, including social distancing, entry screening and mandatory face coverings for those working in these areas.
• All other areas of the racecourse, including the Parade Ring and Racecourse Stables, will be in the Amber Zone
• Pre-raceday screening will be reduced for Amber Zone attendees, including trainers, stable staff and the media, but with social distancing remaining in place, as required by government
• Owners will be able to access the Parade Ring, but numbers entering the area will be restricted to comply with social distancing.
• Face coverings will still be mandatory in the Parade Ring, other close contact areas and indoors, but not elsewhere on course.

Please note that specific arrangements may vary to allow for differences in size and layout of racecourses.

To assist you with these changes, we have developed a Frequently Asked Questions document, which explains in more detail some of the more significant changes. This can be read .

These requirements will continue to be reviewed regularly and, where possible, relaxed, in line with government guidance.聽 In the meantime, thank you, as ever, for your patience, understanding and co-operation as we continue to operate under COVID-19 restrictions.

Racecourse attendance has been restricted since early January, following the announcement of a national lockdown to curb the spread of the virus. During this period, owners have continued to support their horses in training, despite not being able to see them in yards or on course.

British racing is enormously grateful to owners for their patience, understanding and unwavering support. Your return to the racecourse will mark a significant step in the move to normality 鈥� and will be welcomed by the entire industry.

Under current plans, owners 鈥� as key investors in British racing 鈥� will be able to attend race meetings in England and Scotland from Monday, as part of a phased, risk-managed approach, which corresponds as closely as possible to the respective government timetables.

Like other elite sport, racing continues to operate behind closed doors, with strict infection control measures in place to reduce the risk of the virus being transmitted on course. Therefore, owners will be asked to follow the and the specific .

Unless agreed otherwise with local authorities, from 29 March to 12 April, access to the racecourse will be limited to a maximum of two owners per horse, as was the case initially when owners returned in July 2020. Racecourses are not able to provide hospitality at this stage, due to government restrictions, but light refreshments will be available and there will be no time limit on how long owners are able to remain on course.

We aim to increase access to a maximum of six owners per horse from 12 April, following the further easing in government restrictions. At this point, racecourses will also be permitted to re-introduce outdoor hospitality.

Specific arrangements remain subject not only to government guidance, but also local authority decision-making, and therefore conditions may vary according to racecourse area. Racecourse officials are currently liaising with their local authorities and will contact owners directly ahead of each fixture with further details of any local requirements.

As ever, pre-registration is essential, and owners will be emailed automatically with details of how to register once their horse is entered to run. Please also see the Racecourse Association鈥檚 , which outlines important information on returning to the racecourse.

Racecourses in Wales are awaiting guidance on the return of owners, so owners should check with the racecourse in question as to the current arrangements.

We would also like to thank those owners who have attended behind closed doors fixtures and co-operated fully with the infection control measures in place. These are designed to keep everyone safe and protect racing from the risk of COVID-related disruption.

Thank you again for your support 鈥� and we look forward to seeing you back on the racecourse.

The Plan is a four-step process, whereby certain limits of social interaction are removed no earlier than a given date, the first of which is Monday 8 March. Each step will be assessed by government against a number of tests designed to monitor the spread of Covid-19 before restrictions are eased. Any changes to racing protocols will move in parallel with the steps set out in the roadmap and are therefore dependent on the government鈥檚 timetable.

For brief reference, those steps are:

• Step One A 鈥� Monday 8 March*
  • Schools open. Outdoor after-school sports allowed
  • Two people allowed to sit together outdoors
  • Care home residents allowed one regular visitor

• Step One B 鈥� Monday 29 March*
  • Six people or two households allowed to meet outdoors
  • Outdoor sports facilities open, organised sport allowed
  • Travel outside local area allowed

• Step Two 鈥� Monday 12 April*
  • Non-essential retail and personal care open
  • Hospitality outdoors open o Indoor leisure e.g. gyms, swimming pools open
  • Self-contained holiday accommodation open

• Step Three 鈥� Monday 17 May*
  • Most social contact rules lifted outdoors
  • Six people or two households can meet indoors
  • Indoor hospitality and hotels open

• Step Four 鈥� Monday 21 June*
  • All legal limits on social contact removed

*Earliest possible date

Since the plan was published on Monday 22 February, the 糖心传媒 and senior racing executives have engaged with Government to agree how racing can unwind its own restrictions. We have set out below what the industry Covid group hopes to achieve at the various steps including the return of amateur riders, the resumption of Point-To-Point racing, the return of owners to racecourses and the return of spectators to racecourses.

Return of amateur riders and Point-To-Point racing

In line with Step One B, British Racing will reintroduce races at race meetings for amateur riders, an important aspect of the Jump Season. This will coincide with the commencement of Point-To-Point races, our grassroots, amateur Jump racing.

Amateur riders have been unable to take part in race meetings since January. The assessment of the industry Covid group is that Government policy permitting the resumption of organised grassroots sport from Monday 29 March allows for the return of Point-To-Point racing and amateur riders only from this date, subject to individual race conditions agreed by the 糖心传媒 and the relevant racecourse.

Return of owners to racecourses

The return of owners will represent a significant development in the return to normality and will be achieved in stages, beginning with Step One B鈥檚 date of Monday 29 March. British Racing remains extremely grateful for the ongoing support of owners while they have not been able to attend race meetings during the national lockdown.

Monday 29 March is the earliest date at which their return can be facilitated in line with the current government guidance. While Step One A begins on Monday 8 March, allowing people to leave home for recreation and exercise outdoors with their own household, support or childcare bubble or one person from another household, the 鈥楽tay At Home鈥� restriction does remain in place.

From Monday 29 March, the government intends for up to six people/two households to be permitted to meet outdoors. We intend for owners to be able to return to race meetings in line with these regulations. At this stage, racecourses will not be able to provide hospitality and strict attendance rules will remain in place, including, including a health screening process.

Further enhancements to the owner experience will be permitted from Step Two, which comes into force from Monday 12 April at the earliest. In line with the resumption of outdoor hospitality on that date, our goal is for racecourses to be able to re-introduce outdoor hospitality for owners, in line with Government guidance. This step will allow owners to further enjoy the raceday experience.

The government has said it is continuing to review the data on which this timetable is based. We will continue to be in close touch with officials, monitor the situation and work as an industry to ensure that owners return to racecourses at the earliest possible date.

Return of spectators to racecourses

The return of spectators to racecourses becomes an option when we reach Step Three, which begins on Monday 17 May at the earliest. British Racing is keen to play a role in pilots organised through the government鈥檚 Events Research Programme. This covers not just sport but other leisure and entertainment events involving large gatherings of people. Through the RCA, racing has already played an important role in previous pilots and by contributing to the work of the Sports Technology Innovation Group.

Step Four is due to begin on Monday 21 June at the earliest when increased crowd numbers, based on the pilots can be implemented.

British Racing will be making representations for racecourses to be allowed to host up to 10,000 spectators at Step Three, in line with the guidance on other spectator arenas, instead of the 4,000 for outdoor events.

Other ongoing work

On behalf of the industry group, the 糖心传媒 will continue to engage with Government on other matters, including the exemption for international travel for elite athletes and further financial support packages, which will be needed to support the industry.

As of the Government鈥檚 announcement on Monday 22 February 2021, there are no changes to current guidance on overseas travel for jockeys, trainers and racing staff, while details of further financial support for the economy are expected to be given in the Chancellor of the Exchequer鈥檚 Budget announcement on Wednesday 3 March 2021.

The 糖心传媒鈥檚 Chief Medical Advisor, Dr Jerry Hill, said:

鈥淪ince racing resumed, the 糖心传媒 has worked hard with stakeholders to implement strict protocols designed to reduce the risk of transmission of the virus. As we approach these crucial coming weeks, these actions have been agreed upon in line with Government guidance in order to ensure our racecourses remain safe environments for all throughout the gradual easing of lockdown restrictions.鈥�

The 糖心传媒鈥檚 Chief Operating Officer, Richard Wayman, said:

鈥淲e are all eager to open up our racecourses once again to owners, spectators and our amateur jockeys. Owners have continued to support racing through the difficult winter months and we will work together as an industry to get them back as soon as possible, recognising that the government timetable is still subject to conditions being met.鈥�

David Armstrong, Chief Executive of the Racecourse Association, commented

“We are grateful for the Government鈥檚 route map out of national lockdown and the opportunities this presents our sport with. Our immediate attention now turns to addressing what implications this has for racecourses and the subsequent protocols that will need to be written in collaboration with DCMS and the relevant safety authorities. We look forward to welcoming back owners and subsequently racegoers, which will signal a return to a more familiar raceday experience.鈥�

Charlie Liverton, Chief Executive of the Racehorse Owners Association, said:

鈥淥wners have continued to support the industry unwaveringly through this period of lockdown. The financial contribution of some 拢30m a month that owners make to trainers, jockeys, racing staff and all those in the rural economy who are indirectly supported is critical to have enabled the industry to derive the majority of its income streams since 1 June 2020. We thank you for that support. Owners have not been able to watch their horses on the racecourse of late and we wholly recognise the desire to be able to return to the racecourse at the earliest opportunity. Working with industry stakeholders these discussions remain ongoing.鈥�

2021 Fixture List and funding

The Horserace Betting Levy Board (HBLB) has today published a to support British racing鈥檚 fixture list in May and June.

This has allowed the 糖心传媒 to now publish a full Fixture List for 2021, as well as confirming the minimum prize money values that are intended to remain in place for the remainder of the year.

The funding package which has been confirmed by HBLB, underpinned by racecourse contributions to prize money, will see minimum prize money values return to their pre Covid-19 levels for all tiers of races for the remainder of 2021. Previously this had been the case for all races at Class 2 and below, while Class 1 races and heritage handicaps had been operating at 75% of their pre-Covid levels.

The Fixture List has been developed with a view to maximising revenue for the sport and participants, while safeguarding participant wellbeing and taking account of the horse population. The size of the Fixture List through the remainder of 2021 is in line with recent years. Given the continuing absence of spectators and other revenue streams, however, the Fixture List and the timing of races will continue to be designed with a view to supporting betting revenues. In addition, in order to safeguard the competitiveness of races when field sizes are traditionally at their lowest, there will be a reduction in the number of races that will be programmed in July and August.

Finally, it has been determined, alongside the PJA, that the restriction that sees jockeys riding at a maximum of one meeting per day will continue at present, with a review as to whether this should be made permanent planned when Covid-19 protocols are no longer required.

At fixtures where spectators are permitted, the Amber Zone (formerly called the Owner Zone), will be mixed area, comprised of both owners and spectators, with specific areas / facilities reserved for owners only (including briefing areas to enable discussion with trainers and jockeys). This will hopefully deliver an improved racecourse experience; one which more closely resembles the traditional raceday.

As ever, pre-registration is essential, and owners will be emailed automatically with details of how to register once their horse is entered to run. This communication will include further information about what owners can expect at the fixture, including the number of badges available, food and beverage provision, and any screening arrangements that will be in place for the fixture.

The Racehorse Owners Association (ROA), Racecourse Association (RCA) and British Horseracing Authority (糖心传媒) will continue to work with racecourses to ensure the raceday is as enjoyable and rewarding as possible, with the move to the tier system enabling an easing of restrictions.

To support owners, the racecourses have produced a , which outlines the arrangements for owners under the Tier system. In addition, owners will be asked to follow the , which will help minimise the risk of infection and ensure the safety of everyone attending a race meeting.

These documents have been incorporated into racing industry鈥檚 , which have been updated to reflect the introduction of the Tier system in England. The of the Owner Protocols will apply to owners attending race meetings from Wednesday 2 December when the Tier system is introduced.

Owners attending fixtures today, Monday 30 November, and tomorrow, Tuesday 1 December, should continue to refer to the protocols that apply during the period of national restrictions. Please review the Owner Protocol before each racecourse visit as it is updated regularly in accordance with government guidance.

Racecourses in Scotland and Wales are awaiting guidance on the return of spectators, and owners should continue to check with the racecourse as to the current attendance arrangements.

As ever, thank you for your continued support and co-operation. The return of spectators is only possible because of the role owners and participants have played in adhering to the infection control measures in place.

We ask that you continue to follow the protocols and check the measures that apply within each Tier to help ensure the safety and wellbeing of everyone on the racecourse.