The situation at Musselburgh Racecourse is that there may be racing next Friday 14 July 2017 following a climbdown by The Musselburgh Joint Racing Committee MJRC.
The temporary licence granted by the British Horseracing Association BHA ran out last Friday amid demands by the BHA that the governance of the East Lothian Racecourse was reviewed.
Until Thursday there was no move by the MJRC who had planned to hold a meeting next week – which would have been too late to allow the fixture in 14 July to proceed.
Then at the eleventh hour, Councillor Willie Innes, Council Leader and Chair of the MJRC issued his statement : “I have now been able to ascertain that no member of the Musselburgh Joint Racing Committee is opposed to an independent governance review. I have therefore this afternoon informed the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) that the MJRC agrees to an independent governance review in relation to Musselburgh Racecourse.
“On behalf of the MJRC, I have asked East Lothian Council to commission such an independent review.
“I am grateful to the BHA for their ongoing engagement on these matters. My priority is to safeguard the future of racing at Musselburgh and I have been working to progress matters quickly and constructively.
“I look forward to convening the next meeting of the MJRC and expect that the council and BHA will maintain dialogue to progress matters.
“I hope that the BHA will now be able to grant an extension to the racecourse’s licence – providing welcome certainty for employees and race-goers alike.”
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