10 December 2015 – SBC News
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Arena Racing Company (“ARC”) has made a £300,000 investment to ensure Great Yarmouth Racecourse has a first class racing surface, including one of the best straight turf mile courses in this country, and the track will commence its racing season on Wednesday 8 June 2016.
To date the new home straight has received positive feedback from jockeys who have ridden on the track, with new course records being set this summer. However, due to extreme weather conditions having an adverse impact on the relatively immature new turf in the home straight ARC said it was not possible to complete a full season of racing.
Following further remedial work to the track this autumn, the turf will now be given more time develop over the winter and through the growing season in the spring to ensure a full season of 18 race meetings can be completed once racing commences in June 2016. ARC will continue to liaise with the British Horseracing Authority (“BHA”) about the progress of the track and the recommencement of racing, as well as working closely with Professional Sports Turf Design. The racecourse will have its annual BHA pre-season Inspection in May prior to racing.
The new location of the six fixtures which Great Yarmouth Racecourse would have hosted in April and May will be confirmed shortly.
Jon Pullin, ARC’s Racing Operations Director, said: “The new start date for Great Yarmouth’s 2016 race season provides certainty for horsemen and racegoers. ARC is committed to ensuring each of our racecourses provides the best possible conditions for horses to race on and we are confident the extra time the track will now have will ensure an uninterrupted race season from June to October next year. This is in the best interests of Great Yarmouth Racecourse and means we can all enjoy racing at the track for many years to come.”
Glenn Tubby, Great Yarmouth Executive Director, said: “The team at Great Yarmouth is grateful for the patience and continued support our racegoers, annual members, sponsors and horsemen have shown during our 2015 race season. We are already looking forward to our 2016 season and the many great years of racing ahead of us.”