Southwell racecourse has been shut down until 2013 after flooding left it under nine inches of water. The December All Weather fixtures have been moved to Wolverhampton and Lingfield Park with Wolverhampton hosting a 14-race afternoon and evening card on December 15th.
"We had just short of 50mm (two inches) of rain on Saturday and going into Sunday, and we've had a further 10 or more millimeters since This, added to the high water levels alongside the River Trent which was almost at the top of its banks, has caused widespread flooding in the area.," said clerk of the course Roderick Duncan.
Southwell, which has an all-weather surface and therefore hosts racing all year round - as well as boasting a golf course - closed for five months in 2007 due to flooding. Owners Arena Leisure, who are insured, said that the previous closure cost around £6m. "Back in 2007 the Environment Agency said it was something that happened once every 50 years, but unfortunately it's only been five years, We are an all-weather track. I know that's ironic for some people that we can't race, but we are under water. This is our busiest time of the year where we normally come into our own."" said Arena spokesman Nathan Corden.
The racecourse, which has also been forced to cancel a beer festival, hopes to reopen in January 2013
.jpg)