RACING SET TO REMOVE FANS
RACING in Britain faces the prospect of going behind closed doors next week as the coronavirus crisis deepens.
The British Horseracing Authority’s Coronavirus Steering Group maintained a wall of silence yesterday, despite a near-doubling in the number of COVID-19 deaths yesterday from 11 to 21 and the total of confirmed cases jumping to 1,140.
But government sources claim a ban on mass gatherings – of 500 or more people – will be brought in next week to ease the pressure on the emergency services.
The BHA is sticking to the “business as usual” policy that enabled the Cheltenham Festival to reach its completion on Friday, with 251,684 in attendance over the four days.
“We have stuck to government guidelines,” said David Macdonald, executive director of Uttoxeter, which staged the Midlands Grand National yesterday.
“Gatherings do happen at the moment. We don’t know what will happen in the future – it’s an evolving process.” British racing’s stance places it starkly at odds with many racing jurisdictions and most other sports.
Although Kelso will race behind closed doors on Monday, Saturday’s cards at Uttoxeter, Kempton, Fontwell, Newcastle and Wolverhampton took place without restrictions.
But Irish racing bosses ruled on Thursday that meetings would be held in front of empty stands until March 29 at the earliest, while major sporting events – including Premier League football, Six Nations rugby, Formula 1 and golf’s Masters – have either been postponed or called off altogether.
Willie Mullins reported Al Boum Photo to be in “very good shape” after he became the seventh horse in history to defend his Cheltenham Gold Cup title with a neck defeat of Santini.
“He’s in very good shape,” Ireland’s champion trainer said yesterday.
“He will go to Punchestown and then, all being well, we will stick to the same plan next year, going to Tramore on New Year’s Day and then on to Cheltenham.”