Racing to be held behind closed doors from today due to virus
RACING will go behind closed doors at all meetings in Britain from today, initially until the end of March, because of the coronavirus outbreak.
The fixtures at Wetherby and Taunton will be the first in England to be staged without paying members of the public a move that had been anticipated following a statement on Sunday evening.
Horse Racing Ireland had already taken the decision to run behind closed doors – a move which took effect at Dundalk on Friday – while yesterday’s meeting at Kelso in Scotland was run in similar fashion, following advice from the Irish and Scottish governments.
A statement issued on Monday afternoon by the British Horseracing Authority read: “Racing industry leaders have confirmed a plan to continue racing behind closed doors from tomorrow.
“Any fixtures that take place in England, Wales and Scotland, initially until the end of March, will take place without spectators and with restrictions on the number of attendees.
“The intention is for scheduled race meetings to take place wherever possible. However, the situation is very fluid at present and decisions may have to be made to cancel meetings.
“Every effort will be made to notify customers and the betting industry at the earliest opportunity.”
It added: “With race meetings due to happen every day, the aim is to agree a programme that is sustainable, in the light of possible staff absences, including in critical roles, in order to protect industry staff and support the wider effort to free up critical public services.
“The plan was agreed today by the sport’s tripartite leadership, including the Racecourse Association, The Horsemen’s Group and the governing body, the British Horseracing Authority.”
Meanwhile, there are no racecards in today’s Examiner as there are no flat meetings scheduled in Great Britain, and the National Hunt meetings are yet to be declared.