Horse racing could be coming to the streets of London

Rival bidders are drawing up ambitious plans to create a new sporting spectacle - horse racing on the streets of London.

At least two organisations, CSM and City Racing, have expressed an interest in hosting a central London race meeting.

Venues under consideration include the Mall, offering a prime seat to British racing's most famous fan, the Queen.

The Mall Credit: PA

Buckingham Palace has previously acted as a backdrop to prestige sports events including the Tour de France and Olympic marathon.

Fans on the Mall ahead of Stage 3 of the Tour De France in 2014 Credit: PA

The temporary racecourse would involve laying a synthetic track on the road - similar to all-weather surfaces at course like Kempton Park and Southwell.

Kempton, home of the King George VI Chase Credit: PA

Mr Spence said the London race would be a far cry from the controversial and sometimes brutal Palio street race in the Italian city of Siena where bareback riders race around a piazza.