Events at Chelmsford City Racecourse

Originally known as Great Leighs Racecourse when it first opened in 2008, Chelmsford City Racecourse is a multi-event venue, a conference centre, an exhibition space and a horse racing course. The course is the newest purpose-built facility in the UK and holds regular meetings throughout the year. In its current format, the racecourse began hosting races in February 2015, some of which have been televised live. The course is used for live music concerts, challenging obstacle races, fun days aimed at family audiences and Arabian race fixtures. The course's prestigious Grandstand was short-listed for an architectural award in 2016 and the racing track itself is designed for use in all weathers. Chelmsford City Racecourse is one of only five floodlit all-weather tracks in the country.

Chelmsford City Racecourse events

When the owners of Chelmsford City Racecourse relaunched the venue in 2015, they decided that it would make a name for itself as a live music venue. That summer, the inaugural concert took place when Madness played an evening outdoor concert, following a race meeting that had been held during the day. This event set the tone for others, which soon followed, as a crowd of about 7,000 attendees enjoyed a full series of horse races, followed by one of the country's best-loved live bands. Since then, the likes of Simply Red, Rick Astley and Jools Holland and His Rhythm & Blues Orchestra have all played open-air gigs at the racecourse. Other big musical acts that have been booked to play at the course include the long-running reggae combo, UB40, and Boyzone, one of Ireland's most popular vocal harmony pop groups.

As well as live music in summer, the racecourse's principal purpose is to host race meetings. Some top-quality thoroughbred racing is to be had at Chelmsford City Racecourse. For example, the course was selected as the best place to stage the Group 3 Greenham Stakes when it needed to be rearranged at short notice. There is an annual Ladies' Day, offering a complete programme of racing, which is considered by many to be a focal part of the county's social calendar. In addition, the course is frequently used to showcase Arabian horses, under license from the British Horseracing Authority. This breed of horse is known to be the oldest in the world and the event offers plenty of excitement among seasoned punters and occasional racegoers alike. Finally, the racecourse is available for private events and can cater for anything from private dining to corporate entertainment, as well as wedding parties.

Venues similar to Chelmsford City Racecourse

Music fans looking for events in and around Chelmsford should look at StubHub for tickets for Hylands Park, home to the popular V Festival. Sandown Park is another good racecourse that also stages race meetings and pop concerts.