HORSES will be galloping around the only racecourse in the county sooner than expected, after track bosses open their doors to trainers from Newmarket.
The owners of Great Leighs Racecourse had dreams of bringing racing back to Essex shattered when the British Horseracing Authority omitted the course from the 2013 racing calendar.
MC Racetracks Ltd plans to reapply for 2014 fixtures, but announced this week that registered trainers from Newmarket will soon be running their horses on the all-weather track.
Later in 2013, the owners intend to open the course to local riding and pony clubs before throwing their gates open to members of the public.
"We've spoken to the Newmarket trainers and they say they want to use our facilities," said Andy Waitt, clerk of the course.
"Newmarket is the biggest training centre in Europe and there are a huge number of trainers in the area.
"It will be a good chance for them to race their horses around a track, and give them an experience of proper race conditions."
The installation of starting stalls, markers and timing equipment is scheduled for later in 2013, in order to offer trainers the facilities for schooling sessions.
But Mr Waitt is niggled that the eight-and-a-half furlong course, the only one in Essex, has had to lay fallow for so long.
"It is very frustrating to see such a wonderful facility, which is just crying out for the people of Essex to enjoy, lying dormant," said Mr Waitt.
"It's such a shame because we have a massive catchment area," he added.
Mr Waitt said that the course only wanted to cover costs at the moment and would, therefore, only charge a nominal amount per horse.
It was hoped that the close proximity of a world-class racecourse, which is just three miles south of Braintree, would raise the profile of the town and bring trade into the region's struggling shops.
When Great Leighs opened in 2008, it was the first new track in Britain for 81 years, but it only lasted a few months before going into administration in January 2009.
It is now under new ownership and they plan to bring racing to the track by 2014.
The British Horseracing Authority unexpectedly decided to omit the course, which has a 10,000-capacity stand, from next year's flat-racing calendar.
The decision delayed a media deal Great Leighs had struck with betting broadcasters Betsi to provide prize money of £2.5 million in the first year, boosting the local economy and putting Essex on the global betting map.
