Upcoming fixtures at Chelmsford City Racecourse, including the track's Good Friday race, have been cancelled.
This comes after the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) refused to grant a licence to the racecourse’s intended new operating company, Golden Mile Racing Ltd.
The new company was formed after the previous licence holder, Great Leighs Estates Ltd, was placed in administration.
The BHA board made a preliminary decision not to grant Golden Mile Racing (GMR) a licence at the weekend.
However, the board continues to consider it inappropriate to grant the licence, with the reasons being kept confidential.
The decision means Chelmsford’s meetings on April 2, April 3 and April 9 will not be staged, pending the outcome of any appeal, and the future of the racecourse is in significant doubt.
In accordance with the rules of racing, GMR may appeal the board’s decision to the independent Licensing Committee.
A request for permission to appeal must be made to the Judicial Panel Executive within 21 days of receipt of the decision being challenged.
