A RACECOURSE owner is planning a multi-million pound flotation of his business.

Stan Clarke, owner of Northern Racing, which controls Newcastle and Uttoxoter racecourses, hopes the stock market flotation will raise £150m.

It is in anticipation of a new £408m media rights deal being negotiated by the racing industry.

Northern Racing is owned jointly by Mr Clarke, who has a 65 per cent interest, and St Modwen Properties, the quoted property company of which he is chairman and a shareholder.

A successful flotation would make Mr Clarke's operation the only pure racecourse owning company listed on the stockmarket.