Arena Racing Company and Chester among suitors to take over at Musselburgh

Four contenders are in the hunt to run Musselburgh racecourse on behalf of East Lothian Council, although a member of the committee currently managing the track has voiced frustration at the slow pace of the bidding process.

Arena Racing Company (Arc), Ayr, Chester and the Jockey Club are understood to be the potential suitors to take over the operation of the track later this year.

It has also emerged that exceptional costs associated with the tender process and legal advice on HR matters totalled more than £340,000 in Musselburgh's latest financial year and look set to come out of the track's coffers.

There are four contenders in the hunt to run Musselburgh racecourse on behalf of East Lothian CouncilCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Musselburgh's governance has been unsettled for more than two years, with its recent history beset by a civil war between the local authority and Musselburgh's racing representatives.

That led to the BHA stepping in to demand an independent governance review, subsequently carried out by law firm Pinsent Masons, and eventually resulted in the council deciding to allow its asset to be run by a third-party operator. Its current licence from the BHA expires on October 15.

The latest deadline for tenders closed at the start of May as part of the procurement process, with Arc and the Jockey Club having both made bids.

Chester Race Company chief executive Richard Thomas confirmed they had also thrown their hat into the ring.

He said: "We have been looking at it and we are interested because it is a very good quality racecourse in a great area with a lot of potential to grow even further."

Ayr is understood to be the fourth contender, but representatives of the course said they would not comment on speculation when contacted.

A spokesperson for East Lothian Council said: "The details of the procurement process for a new operator for Musselburgh racecourse remains confidential but I can confirm that we are content both with the number of tenderers and the specialist expertise they can offer.

"We remain on track with the original timescale with the intention to appoint and have a new contractor in place later this year."

However, Robert Miller-Bakewell, one of the racing members of the Musselburgh Racing Associated Committee (MRAC) set up by the council last year to manage the track and on which councillors have a majority, criticised the length of time the process has taken.

He said: "It's been extremely frustrating how slow the process has been and it demonstrates the difference between public sector fixation with bureaucratic process and private sector get on and get it done."

The BHA said it has "remained in close contact with East Lothian Council throughout this process".

The 2019-20 budget report presented to the MRAC at the end of April said that if the racecourse paid all the legal fees incurred during the tender process "there will be a significant deficit when the new operator assumes operational control of the racecourse".

The deficit forecast for the end of the 2018-19 period was more than £218,000.

"A substantial level of legal fees has accrued with Pinsent Masons but these will not be passed to the new operator," the council spokesperson added.

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