Plans for proposed All Weather Tracks (AWT) at existing racecourses Newmarket (Rowley Mile) and Sedgefield have been approved by BHB. The racecourses are eligible to participate in the fixture allocation process for these AWT tracks for 2005, should they wish to do so.

BHB’s New Racecourses Committee (NRC) made its recommendations to the BHB Board following an appraisal of each application against BHB’s Guidelines for the Development of New Racecourses, issued in October 2003.

The NRC received one other application, which was also for an AWT at an existing racecourse, Newbury. Following discussion between the NRC and Newbury, the BHB Board was advised that Newbury did not wish to progress its application for 2005. Any resubmitted application will be considered by BHB later this year with a proposed start date of 2006.

BHB Chief Executive Greg Nichols, who chaired the NRC, said: ‘BHB considered that the construction of additional facilities at both Newmarket and Sedgefield would benefit British Racing. The sport is vibrant and growing and the willingness to invest substantial sums should give Racing every confidence in itself.’

For further information, please contact BHB Chief Executive Greg Nichols on 020 7343 3311 or BHB Communications Manager Alan Delmonte on 020 7343 3318