Classic idea
British racing’s new plan... Guineas in June, Derby in July IF lockdown is lifted
BRITISH horse racing has come up with a ‘best-case scenario’ plan for their coronavirus-ravaged Flat season.
If the lockdown is lifted, the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) will look to run the Guineas meeting at the start of June and the Derby in early July.
There has been no racing in Britain since March 17 – and last Wednesday the sport was suspended indefinitely as a result of the pandemic.
But the Resumption of Racing Group has drawn up a provisional plan for the revised 2020 campaign – postlockdown.
The new-look summer programme would see the first four Classics – the Derby and Oaks, and 1,000 and 2,000 Guineas – straddle Royal
Ascot, which is still set to be staged behind closed doors between June 16 and 20.
“Our best-case scenario planning would allow for the Guineas to be run in early June, and the Derby and Oaks in early July, with Royal Ascot still scheduled to take place in its existing slot commencing on 16 June,” said the BHA in a letter sent to trainers on Friday evening.
While Classic trials would be run at the start of a condensed campaign, several big races would fall by the wayside as the BHA seeks to
“ensure that the key generation-defining races will be run” – while doing “as much as possible” to preserve the Group One calendar.
“We are developing a plan to ensure a suitable Pattern programme will be in place,” the letter went on.
“This will involve prioritising the scheduling of the Classics, as well as other key races which are aimed at horses most likely to provide a future fundamental role on behalf the breed.”
Surviving Group races will be subject to revised dates and – in some cases – a change of venues.
The BHA added: “We will of course be looking to ensure that our best horses have suitable opportunities to develop and to demonstrate the best of their ability within an appropriate and meaningful structure of races.
“But this will require the co-operation, flexibility and mutual understanding of many parties.
“While these plans are being formulated with a view to recommencing racing at the earliest opportunity, the timing of this decision will be dependent on an easing of government restrictions.”
JAMIE SPENCER, 39, is recovering from surgery in Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge after the top jockey suffered a fractured hip in a fall on the Newmarket gallops on Friday.