Richard Furlong Appears on Behalf of the British Horseracing Authority in Chelmsford Race Course and Golden Mile Racing Licensing Appeal 

On Friday 25^th June, the independent licensing committee published its initial findings following an appeal hearing of the British Horseracing’s Board to reject an application for a racecourse license on the site of Chelmsford City Racecourse by Golden Mile Racing LTD. 

The appellant, Golden Mile Racing, sought to apply for a license to operate Chelmsford City Racecourse, taking over from Great Leighs Estates LTD following GLE LTD entering administration in March 2026. 

The applicant’s application for a license was rejected by the BHA board in April 2026 and pursuant to the rules, the applicant appealed that decision and permission was granted on the basis that there was a compelling reason to hear the appeal in full (namely there would be no saving of cost or time to hear only a permission application). 

The appeal hearing, which took place over two days (23rd and 24^th June) was heard afresh as the panel were not bound by the BHA Board’s original decision. Whilst it was not for the applicant to show that the BHA Board made an error in its decision making, the applicant bore the burden of satisfying the committee that a license should be granted. After examination of directors and associates from Golden Mile Racing and following the presentation of a revised and updated business plan for GMRL, that burden was not discharged.

Accordingly, the committee was not satisfied that the grant of a license would meet licensing objectives, and the application was refused and the appeal was dismissed. 

A link to the full committee decision can be found here and the Licensing Committee has indicated that further written reasons will follow in due course.   

Richard Furlong was instructed and assisted throughout by Aja Hall, Director of Regulation and Integrity at British Horseracing Authority and Danielle Sharkey of Wiggin.