Great Leighs Races

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The first brand-new race course built in the UK for 80 years, the Great Leigh Races started on Sunday the 20th of April 2008, and carries with it a new and innovative approach to the racing experience. Racing is held all year round, from the traditional summer races to races held at night in the window, lit by new and modern floodlight technology. In addition to this, Great Leighs offers other great entertainment - with many bars and restaurants available, which will also be open long after the racing for the day has finished. Great Leighs Races also boasts the first sports betting hall in the country, which will not only be available for horse racing, but also offering additional open days for cricket, football, Formula One and any other major sporting events. At Great Leighs Races, they hope to preserve the spirit of the "old Essex County Showground", and plan big outdoor events as well as live music and concert extravaganzas. The racing circuit at Great Leighs Races plans to have an up-to-date configuration - which means that races can be held in all weathers. This should help to raise the UK's profile in all-weather racing and enable authentic UK trials for all-weather contests on all-weather ovals and trials held all across the world. The De Boer Emperor stand on the in-field, which is close to paddock areas and winning post, will be the main accommodation for race-goers from opening. This stand is the most sophisticated semi-permanent grandstand in the world today, and was manufactured by De Boer. The ground floor of this huge 160m building will provide bars, hospitality restaurant, viewing areas, fast food outlets and a sports betting hall, and will be set out to be a general racing concourse. The upper floor of the building also contains public restaurants and a modern night club, as well as a conferencing space and equipment for use on non-race days. In total, there will be 10 spacious hospitality boxes, each boasting a private terrace 5m deep. In addition to all this, outside will be a champagne bar, which will be held directly next to the parade rings.

Great Leighs Races Information

The two main courses at the Great Leighs Races will be an All Weather Course and a Turf Course. The All Weather Course will be an eight and a half furlong polytrack circuit, which will provide sweeping and slightly cambered bends - exceeding Jockey Clubs specifications. It has a chute start available in races of seven or eight furlongs, and also boasts a two furlong home and back straight. The Turf course is not yet seeded, but will be in use for late 2009, with the latest available in 2010.

Getting There

Getting to the Great Leighs Races will be easy, with the course located 5 miles north of Chelmsford. It is only 33 miles from London via the A12 and the A131, and is just 39 miles from Newmarket. Car parking at the course is free. When travelling via train, the nearest station is Chelmsford. Be aware that direct trains run from Liverpool Street and Stratford, with park and ride schemes from Chelmsford or Braintree station to the Great Leighs course being discussed on race days.