‘Beautiful’ forgotten racecourse could stage racing again years after ‘sad’ closure thanks to massive cash injection

A ‘BEAUTIFUL’ forgotten racecourse which closed its doors to punters in 2019 could host racing again in the future, with the new boss insisting: “Don’t rule it out.”

Towcester in Northampton was site of AP McCoy’s 4,000th winner in 2013 and had staged racing since 1876.

Getty – ContributorAP McCoy rode his 4,000th winner at Towcester racecourse – the Jonjo O’Neill-trained Mountain Tunes – at the track in November 2013[/caption]

PA:Press AssociationThe famous big yellow grandstand may stage racing under rules again in the future, with the Towcester boss saying ‘don’t rule it out’[/caption]

But it was permanently closed a few years ago after going into administration with debts of more than £1.3million.

Renowned as being the ‘home of the slow horse’ due to its idiosyncratic layout, Towcester has held greyhound racing in recent years.

But, according to the Racing Post, plans are in motion for racehorses to return to the venue.

And the boss in charge of the site’s overhaul said, while it would be difficult adding a new venue to the congested fixture list and it wasn’t an immediate priority, it couldn’t be ruled out entirely.

For now, the plan is to host schooling days for horses – where they get used to the basics of racing and jumping – during the National Hunt season.

And it is hoped that will lead to the return of point-to-point fixtures.

Richard Thomas, who was formerly boss of Chester racecourse, said significant sums of cash had been injected into Towcester.

The grandstands and drainage systems had been revamped ready for the return of thoroughbreds.

He is aiming to have schooling days in place at the track by the end of the year.

But quizzed about the prospect of professional racing returning, he said: “Towcester doesn’t have any fixtures and that would be a difficult route to undertake.

“However, you could never rule that option out.

“There’s an absolute need to create a professional schooling centre and this is where we’ll concentrate in the first instance.”

BHA chief operating officer Richard Wayman said at the time of Towcester’s demise that the governing body had been left heartbroken for the popular venue.

He said: “We are saddened to see the closure of Towcester, a beautiful racecourse which will undoubtedly have created fond memories for many racing fans and participants.”

However, if anything Towcester was an early sign of the times, especially as Thurles racecourse in Ireland recently announced it was closing down too.

Fortunately, crunch talks mean racing will continue there until 2026 – but it’s uncertain beyond that.