Racing set to return

Racing will return to Perth next month - but no spectators will be allowed.

Scottish Racing, alongside the British Horseracing Authority, confirmed on Thursday night that it was making plans for a return to racing on Monday, June 22.

Perth Racecourse is now planning on meetings on Tuesday, July 21, Tuesday, August 11 and Sunday, August 30 behind closed doors.

The sport’s regulator, the British Horseracing Authority (BHA), has released protocols for racing behind closed doors, which include specific guidance for the racing industry to help safeguard the health of employees and participants in a controlled and managed return to racing.

Perth relies heavily on attracting animals from across the UK, with only 3.7 per cent of all British horses in training being resident in Scotland, so the protocols include detailed information for the safe movement of all horses, jockeys, racing staff and their relevant equipment.

Hazel Peplinski, Perth Racecourse chief executive, said Perth would learn from other meetings before July 21: “Perth Racecourse is extremely keen to play its part in the horseracing industry’s collective effort to provide safe sporting enjoyment and to help restart the economy, especially in badly hit rural areas.

“With our first scheduled behind closed doors fixture not until July 21, we look forward to learning best practice from our colleagues at Ayr, Musselburgh and Hamilton Park who will restart earlier, should all go to plan.

“It is exciting to think there could be some competitive action on these three Scottish tracks next month.

“Here at Perth we remain really busy – there has been some remedial work done to the track in these dry conditions and now the planning for mid-July can really begin in earnest.

“There is a long road ahead and we must stay nimble and realise nothing is set in stone, with the reminder by the first minister to exert extreme caution and patience to avoid undoing all recent progress in controlling the virus.

“However after such a long time in lockdown, with so much uncertainty, to have some confirmed dates for the intentional restart of some racing albeit behind closed doors and assuming the permissions from the Scottish Government and BHA - gives us a target to work to and we just need to remain patient and reactive to circumstances.”

Ticket holders who bought for now abandoned meetings in July and August should look out for a transfer/ refund email from Perth Racecourse.