The Board of the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has decided not to approve an application on behalf of MC Racetracks Limited for Great Leighs racecourse to participate in the 2014 fixture allocation process.

The Board considered the application at its June meeting. Recommendations were submitted to the Board by a sub-committee established to consider the application, which comprised Ben Gunn, Morag Gray and Chief Executive Paul Bittar, and was supported throughout by the BHA Executive.

MC Racetracks Limited has been notified of the decision, the reasons for which are private between BHA and MC Racetracks Limited.

Adam Brickell, Director of Integrity, Legal and Risk for the BHA, said:

“The application has been given careful and thorough consideration, but the Board was not in a position to approve Great Leighs’ participation in the 2014 fixture allocation process.

“BHA remains open to new racecourse applications under our annual guidelines, and will continue to provide the necessary assistance and guidance to prospective applicants.”