Chester Race Company Completes Agreement to Operate Musselburgh Racecourse

Chester Race Company can confirm that it has taken on the operating agreement for Musselburgh Racecourse.

Established in 1816, Musselburgh is the second largest racecourse in Scotland and hosts a total of 27 fixtures each year; 16 flat and 11 jumps. Feature races include the Edinburgh Cup, Edinburgh National, Royal Mile, Scottish Sprint Cup and the Queen’s Cup.

Following a successful tender application to take over the management and operation of the racecourse, Chester Race Company were selected by East Lothian Council as preferred operator for an initial 10-year period. Musselburgh now joins Chester and Bangor-on-Dee as the third racecourse in the Chester Race Company portfolio.

Racing resumed in Scotland behind closed doors at Ayr on Monday 22 June and Musselburgh are set to resume flat racing without a crowd on Tuesday 30 June.

Chief Executive of Chester Race Company, Richard Thomas, said:

“We are delighted to be formally appointed as the new operators of Musselburgh Racecourse on behalf of East Lothian Council. We are committed to the long term running and success of the racecourse and ensuring its reputation within the local community and Scottish racing is upheld.

“The entire team is excited to begin this new chapter and deliver proposals to maximise the available opportunities for the racecourse. We will look to build upon the pre-existing successes in ensuring Musselburgh continues to deliver an integral experience for visiting horsemen, racegoers and members of the local community alike.”

Fiona O’Donnell Chair of Musselburgh Racing Associated Committee (MRAC) added:

“I welcome the completion of the transfer of Musselburgh race course to the new operator, Musselburgh Racecourse Limited, part of Chester Race Company’s group of companies.

“I want to thank all the members of MRAC, and its predecessor, MJRC, for their contributions over the years - both councillors and representatives of the Lothian Racing Syndicate. It is their work and the staff team which has transformed the racecourse into a 5-star visitor attraction.

“I look forward to a positive working relationship with the new operators as we move forward into this new chapter in the history of the racecourse, to the benefit of everyone involved, the community of Musselburgh and the wider East Lothian economy.”

Musselburgh Racecourse General Manager, Bill Farnsworth, said:

“The appointment of Chester Race Company to run Musselburgh marks a new chapter in the history of our 200-year-old racecourse.

“Chester’s management team has an excellent track record and we are delighted to be working with one of the best racecourse teams in the country. They share the same values as Musselburgh in their ambition to provide a five-star racing and hospitality experience, to host quality horse racing, offer excellent customer service and to invest where possible to improve the racing and customer infrastructure.