Racing ‘safer than shopping’ says Gosden

JOHN Gosden has every faith that being on a racecourse will prove to be a ‘great deal safer than going to the petrol station or the supermarket’ should racing be able to resume on June 1.

The sport has been suspended in Britain since the fixtures at

Wetherby and Taunton on March 17 - and on Monday the Government announced there would be no professional sport, even behind closed doors, in England until at least June 1, dashing hopes for a potential return this month.

But racing’s industry leaders have outlined their commitment to plan for that date for a resumption of the sport behind closed doors.

Asked if there was disappointment at the further delay or relief at a target date for resumption, Gosden said: “The second - very much relief that we know where we are going.

“We can be absolutely ready. Our horses have been training throughout the spring in this lovely weather, they’re fit and ready to run.

“In Newmarket we have had 2,500 horses training every day, socially distanced, and the great thing about our sport is it’s non- contact.”

On the subject of how comfortable he would feel with his staff going racing, the champion trainer, whose string includes the brilliant Enable, said: “Very comfortable, because I’ve seen all the factors being put in and every restriction and I’d be very comfortable - I think it will be a great deal safer than going to the petrol station or the supermarket.

“There will be no crowds and who knows when that will occur, this is a disease that might rumble on. It’s not an easy one and we might be in this situation for months. British racing and breeding does contribute £4bn to the economy every year, so it is a matter of doing it and doing it safely within the biosecurity guidelines.”