The owner of two Sussex racecourses has announced final pre-tax profits of £1.4million following a year of acquisitions.

Chepstow, which bought Northern Racing in October last year, now owns Brighton racecourse and Fontwell Park, near Chichester.

The company's profits show an increase of 115 per cent on last year while turnover increased by 131 per cent to £9.4million.

Rod Street, Chepstow general manager, said: "We have made the fixtures list a lot more attractive at Brighton and a lot more family orientated.

"We have tried to expand the commercial side of the venue so a large percentage of our income now comes from non-race events, like parties."

Tuesday March 30, 2004