LEADING figures in Scotland’s horseracing industry have called for steps to be taken to protect the future of Musselburgh Racecourse after a management split and a vote of no confidence by staff in the management committee’s chairman raised fears for its future.

Lucinda Russell, trainer of Grand National winner One For Arthur, who was paraded at the East Lothian course less than two weeks ago, and jockey Pete Scudamore have both spoken out about concerns over the management of the course under the Musselburgh Joint Racing Committee (MJRC).

And veteran bookie Bert Logan, chairman of East of Scotland Bookmakers’ Association, has called for East Lothian Council –whose elected members hold a majority in the committee – to step back and let the professionals run the track “free of political interference”.

Mr Logan said that the possible loss of a racing licence at Musselburgh Racecourse – which the Courier revealed last week only holds a temporary licence until the end of June – would lose bookies who attend the course an estimated £750,000.

He said: “Should the track lose its licence from the BHA (British Horseracing Authority) my members would collectively lose something in the region of £750k, as well as the opportunity for them and their staff to work.

“I feel strongly that this is a business matter and Musselburgh Racecourse should be run primarily on the basis of business profitability.

“Whilst I appreciate that the council has the best interests of the local community at heart, I firmly believe that their interests are best served by allowing the professionals to operate the racecourse free of political interference from within the council.”

His view, however, led to council leader Councillor Willie Innes challenging his claims.

Mr Innes has sent an email to Mr Logan which claimed people were trying to “airbrush” out the council’s involvement in the racecourse’s success.

He told him: “The commitment of East Lothian Council elected members over the years has led to the transformation of Musselburgh Racecourse from a failing parochial facility to the premier venue enjoyed today.

“It would appear that the considerable professional and personal commitment of local councillors over the years is being airbrushed out of Musselburgh Racecourse’s history in favour of some self- congratulatory ‘cherrypicking’ by selected individuals.”

Staff at the racecourse have passed a vote of no confidence in MJRC chairman John Caldwell and are threatening industrial action.

They claim that concerns over the governance of the course could result in it losing its temporary licence and a mid-season shut down.

But Mr Caldwell accused Lothian Racing Syndicate (LRS), whose representatives make up three of the seven MJRC appointments, of creating the problem by complaining to the BHA.

He expressed anger after they made their concerns public and insisted that the councillors who take up four of the seven MJRC positions had the best interests of the course and the public at heart.

He said this week: “All members of the MJRC share a common aim to manage and develop Musselburgh Racecourse as a leading venue for the sport.

“Recent statements suggest councillors on the MJRC are somehow less ‘qualified’ to consider and support both business and development aims for the racecourse, which I strongly refute.

“Far from exerting ‘political interference’, the councillors take an active and interested role in supporting the diverse needs of race-goers, local community, staff and the wider horse racing fraternity.

“The committee is run by both councillors and LRS members, all of whom bring many different skills fundamental to running any business. However, from time to time there can be disagreements within a committee, which should not result in the airing of individual views in public, particularly when it is assumed that people will form a negative view on the operation without knowing all the facts.”

Lucinda Russell described the fallout between the MJRC chairman and staff as “disappointing” and urged East Lothian Council to intervene.

She said: “Musselburgh is very important to racing in Scotland, and it is so disappointing to learn that this situation has been allowed to develop. The work done by the management and staff at Musselburgh, led by [general manager] Bill Farnsworth, has been exemplary. Their efforts should be encouraged, rather than hindered in this way, and for the good of horseracing the situation needs to be resolved in a way that allows people to get back around the table, working together and properly led.”

Mr Scudamore added: “Under its management team, Musselburgh has seen massive improvement and progress. The council should be supporting and encouraging those efforts.”

The council has said an investigation into concerns raised by the LRS was being carried out “by MJRC under the chairmanship of Councillor John Caldwell”.