CHELMSFORD CITY

Despite being one of the UK’s newest tracks, Chelmsford City racecourse has already had an eventful history. It was originally known as Great Leighs and when it opened in April 2008 it was the first entirely new racecourse in the UK since Taunton opened in 1927. However, Great Leighs went into administration in January 2009, and racing did not resume until January 2015. The first race when the course reopened under its new name of Chelmsford City was won by Tryster by a short head, with the Charlie Appleby-trained runner going on to win the Group 1 Jebel Hatta at Meydan just two starts later. On 27 December 2015, racing from Chelmsford City appeared on Channel 4 Racing for the first time following waterlogging at Chepstow and the abandonment of the Welsh Grand National, and in January 2017 Chelmsford City announced plans to build a casino and develop a new turf course inside the existing all-weather track.