Chelmsford-AW Racecourse: races, results, tips and draw bias
Everything you need before a bet at Chelmsford-AW: how the course rides, who wins there, the draw, the big meetings and the latest results — updated from the official results after every meeting.
Chelmsford City sits at Great Leighs, and its story has more twists than a Polytrack oval. Opened in 2008 as the first brand-new British racecourse since Taunton in 1927, it was in administration within months, then roared back under its new name in 2015.
The racing itself is simple: a left-handed Polytrack oval of roughly eight and a half furlongs with a two-furlong home straight. After another enforced break in 2026, Arena Racing Company has taken the lease and racing is set to return on 2 November, with Listed fillies' races such as the Queen Charlotte among its headline contests.
Sources: Wikipedia, chelmsford-racecourse.co.uk, arenaracingcompany.co.uk, britishhorseracing.com
Every number on this page is computed from the official results and refreshes after each Chelmsford-AW meeting.
Chelmsford-AW racecourse layout: a left-handed track
- Left-handed all-weather oval with a Polytrack surface
- First entirely new UK racecourse since Taunton opened in 1927
- Turf track inside the all-weather circuit approved in 2018 but never raced on
Chelmsford-AW racing fixtures: when are the races?
| Meeting | When | Feature races |
|---|---|---|
| Queen Charlotte Fillies' Stakes | June | Queen Charlotte Fillies' Stakes (Listed) |
| Chelmer Fillies' Stakes | April/May | Chelmer Fillies' Stakes (Listed) |
Racecards appear on our racecards page the day before each meeting.
Getting to Chelmsford-AW racecourse
Address: Chelmsford Racecourse, Chelmsford, Essex CM3 1QP
The racecourse's main entrance and car park are off the A131 bypass, reached via the A131, A120 or M11; use CM3 1QP for sat-nav.
A taxi takes about 20 minutes from Chelmsford station and about 10 minutes from Braintree station.
Buses 70 and 352 run from Chelmsford Bus Station through Great Leighs, and the course advises against walking from the village because of the busy A131.
Parking: Free, first come first served, off the A131; 30 Blue Badge bays by the ticket office
📍 Open Chelmsford-AW Racecourse in Google Maps 🚆 Directions from Braintree station
A short history of Chelmsford-AW racecourse
- 2008Great Leighs stages its first meeting before an invited audience on 20 April, with full public admission from 28 May.
- 2009The course goes into administration and its licence is revoked on 16 January.
- 2015Racing returns under the name Chelmsford City, with an invited crowd on 11 January and a full public reopening on 22 January.
- 2018The Listed Queen Charlotte Fillies' Stakes is created, and the BHA approves a turf track inside the all-weather circuit.
- 2019The Listed Chelmer Fillies' Stakes and the Cardinal Stakes are run for the first time.
- 2026Great Leighs Estates Ltd enters administration in March and the course falls silent; in July ARC agrees terms with the freeholders to bring racing back.
- 2026Racing is scheduled to resume under ARC on Monday 2 November.
Chelmsford-AW racecourse: FAQs
Is Chelmsford-AW racecourse left- or right-handed?
Chelmsford-AW is left-handed, with a circuit of about 8.5 furlongs (1,700 m) and a straight of about 2 furlongs home straight.
What type of racing is held at Chelmsford-AW?
Chelmsford-AW stages Flat racing on polytrack (all-weather).
What are the big meetings at Chelmsford-AW?
Queen Charlotte Fillies' Stakes (June); Chelmer Fillies' Stakes (April/May).
Where is Chelmsford-AW racecourse?
Chelmsford Racecourse, Chelmsford, Essex CM3 1QP. The racecourse's main entrance and car park are off the A131 bypass, reached via the A131, A120 or M11; use CM3 1QP for sat-nav.
Is there parking at Chelmsford-AW racecourse?
Free, first come first served, off the A131; 30 Blue Badge bays by the ticket office
Can children go to Chelmsford-AW races?
Up to three children aged 17 and under free with a paying adult (exclusions for festival fixtures and Live After Racing events)
Is there a dress code at Chelmsford-AW?
Smart casual in general admission; no sportswear, ripped jeans, team shirts, vests or swimwear. The Club requires jacket, shirt and tie for gentlemen
Sources: results and statistics from the official results via The Racing API.
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