THE owners of Uttoxeter Racecourse saw profits fall sharply in the 12 months to March last year as the bad weather played havoc with major meetings.
Northern Racing suffered as the big freeze in the final months of 2010 forced it to cancel race meetings.
The Needwood-based group, formerly owned by Sir Stan Clarke and now controlled by the Reuben Brothers, owns a further nine racetracks across the country as well as Uttoxeter.
Tony Kelly, managing director of Northern, said revenues fell 4.2 per cent to £29.5 million while operating profits declined by 18.5 per cent to £2.2 million. He said the decline in trading was wholly attributable to the loss of 24 fixtures at Northern’s courses throughout the year.
However, since March, Uttoxeter Racecourse has enjoyed a massively successful period taking advantage of much improved weather.
Executive director David MacDonald told the Advertiser last month that Uttoxeter had been a ‘beacon of light’ in quite difficult times and had a very successful 2011.
The Wood Lane course enjoyed bumper crowds at its showpiece events of the year including the Midlands Grand National, Ladies Night and the Summer National.
The results from Northern Racing came as The Daily Telegraph reported that its owners David and Simon Reuben remained in talks over the acquisition of Arena Leisure.
The Reubens bid for Arena — owner of the Royal Windsor and Lingfield Park courses — in November but have failed to negotiate a price with the company’s largest shareholder, Trevor Hemmings.
A deal would transform racing, handing the Reubens control of 16 courses and about 35 per cent of UK racing fixtures.
The Advertiser reported last week that Northern Racing was on the lookout for a new operations director after Julie Harrington left the role to take over as managing director at the new National Football Centre.
Ms Harrington, who started out as general manager at Uttoxeter, will be at the helm of St George’s Park in nearby Rangemore when it opens in the summer.
