Musselburgh given licence extension amid hopes of takeover deal with Chester

The latest crisis at troubled Musselburgh racecourse has been averted, with the BHA granting another temporary licence until the end of October.

With an extension now in place, the hope is that a deal for Chester racecourse to take over the running of the Scottish venue can be completed in the interim.

The BHA has granted Musselburgh a series of temporary licences, with its troubles dating back nearly three years, and last December gave the course a three-month extension to the end of March, in the expectation that a deal would be completed.

But one deadline on March 1 and a second on March 25 passed without East Lothian Council, which owns the course, getting the deal over the line and the BHA then gave the track another temporary licence which ran out on May 1.

The latest extension was authorised at a BHA board meeting last week and a joint statement from the BHA and East Lothian Council said: "The extension has been approved in order to give sufficient time for the complications that have arisen in the deal to appoint a third party operator due to the coronavirus pandemic to be worked through."

Helen Bryce, head of legal at the BHA, said: "We understand that the future outlook is uncertain and we will continue to work closely and collaboratively with the parties involved to try and reach a positive outcome."

Councillor Fiona O'Donnell, chair of the Musselburgh Racing Associated Committee, said: "I am very pleased the BHA has recognised the impact of Covid-19 on the transfer to a third party operator.

Fiona O'Donnell: 'These are uncertain times for horseracing'Credit: David Carr

"These are uncertain times for horseracing across the UK and we are doing everything we can to secure the best possible future for racing at Musselburgh.”

Last October Chester Race Company won the right to run Musselburgh as a third-party operator, following an independent governance review insisted upon by the BHA, at the end of a bidding process that appeared to end a long-running civil war between East Lothian councillors and racing representatives.

More to read:

Chester victory has them cheering at Musselburgh with 'bright future' ahead

Close shave: lucky groundstaff nearly mowed down in Musselburgh nightmare

Punter pain: Musselburgh bookmaker admits starting prices were 'unacceptable'

Keep up to date on the must-have news, tips, photos and more by following the Racing Post across all social channels