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Jockey Club and Arc could face less obvious rivals in battle to win Musselburgh

Musselburgh: racing this evening
Musselburgh: racing this eveningCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

There could yet be each-way betting on the race to take over the management of Musselburgh racecourse after it emerged the usual suspects may be joined by some less obvious contenders in the battle to woo East Lothian Council.

The council this week announced that following years of civil war within Musselburgh's previous governance structure a decision had been made that will result in the popular track being run by a third-party operator.

Musselburgh: third-party operator will run the track
Musselburgh: third-party operator will run the trackCredit: John Grossick

A tender process will soon be commenced, with those vying to land the contract known to include Jockey Club Racecourses and Arena Racing Company.

However, among those others also understood to be interested is Scottish Racing, the body formed in 2000 to promote the country's five tracks, while Chelmsford managing director Phil Siers will examine whether Musselburgh might be a suitable sister racecourse.

Musselburgh general manager Bill Farnsworth this week stated "both Arc and the Jockey Club have spoken to us and expressed an interest" and confirmed JCR chief executive Paul Fisher had recently visited the racecourse. The Jockey Club was previously unsuccessful in attempts to make Kelso the first Scottish track in its portfolio.

Speaking on Friday, Fisher said: "We’re interested in whether there is a role for JCR in helping Musselburgh to have a really healthy future as a racecourse, contributing much to its local community, Scottish racing and our sport as whole.

"We look forward to finding out more information once East Lothian Council launches its tender process."

Paul Fisher: 'hard working stable staff essential to British racing'
Paul Fisher: 'We’re interested in whether there is a role for JCR in helping Musselburgh to have a really healthy future as a racecourse'

A number of other racecourses could be interested in aligning themselves to Musselburgh, one of them being Chelmsford, whose revival following its disastrous initial incarnation as Great Leighs has been impressive.

"It is something we will consider," said Siers. "These are early days and we haven't yet given it deep thought but it sounds a reasonably attractive proposition and we have already been successful in building the Chelmsford City brand, surprising a few people in the process.

"We would need to look at the practicalities, as Musselburgh is a long way from Chelmsford, but in principle it's something we might be interested in discussing."


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Lee MottersheadSenior writer

Published on 30 June 2018inNews

Last updated 10:14, 30 June 2018

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