Racing: Wales denied new racecourse

Hopes for a new racecourse in Wales appear doomed after the British Horseracing Board yesterday turned down an application for 20 fixtures at Pembrey in the year 2000.

The BHB told the directors of Pembrey Racecourse Company that they had given the application detailed consideration, principally because of the lack of racecourses in South Wales. But application was unanimously rejected because of the low level of proposed investment in public facilities and heavy dependence on Levy Board funding.

The BHB chairman, Lord Wakeham, said: "The Board recognises that the decision will be a disappointment to the promoters and it regrets having to respond unfavourably to initiative. The Board was, however, unanimous in its view that its decision is in the interests of racing as a whole."