Jockey Club brings back idea for Newmarket all-weather track in new consultation

The Jockey Club has revived the idea of a floodlit all-weather track at Newmarket, whose residents will be asked this month for their initial thoughts on a concept that could include starter yards and training grounds as well as residential development and a country park.

Five years after a firmer proposal for a Newmarket all-weather racecourse was revealed as part of subsequently shelved plans to close Kempton, the Jockey Club has put forward a new option for a winter racing home in the town that houses 40 per cent of Britain's racehorse population.

Concerted efforts are being made to stress nothing has yet been decided, to the extent that the group has still to consider from where the track's fixture allocation would come, given Kempton is the only all-weather venue in its portfolio. It is also understood no clear costings or timelines have been made, although any new racing facility would likely take at least five years to create.