Gosforth Park to host race return?

BHA REVEAL PART OF THEIR PLAN FOR RESTARTING ACTION

THE first horse racing event following the coronavirus suspension could be held in Newcastle.

The British Horseracing Authority revealed part of its post Covid-19 strategy on Thursday, with a possible 13 meetings taking place in the first week of the sport’s return.

The BHA has consistently held back from putting a date on the restart.

However, it stressed: “We remain strongly focused on ensuring we are prepared to resume at the earliest possible opportunity.”

Prime Minister Boris Johnson is expected to ease the coronavirus lockdown restrictions when he addresses the nation tomorrow.

BHA chiefs, who meet with industry leaders the following morning, have inked in Gosforth Park in Newcastle on May 15 as the first action in Britain since March 17 – followed by six days of two cards each.

A spokesman for Newcastle’s owners, Arena Racing Company, said on Thursday evening: “We have been working with BHA and other stakeholders on the various plans to resume racing and have made sure everything is in place for our racecourses to get back in to action as soon as we are given the go ahead.”

However, the resumption would depend on what Mr Johnson says in his statement on Sunday evening. Race planners have divided Britain into geographical regions – North, South and Midlands – with Haydock Park tipped to stage Newbury’s Guineas trials, the Greenham Stakes and Fred Darling stakes a fortnight on Saturday. Irish racing was dealt a hammer blow with the news it cannot make its restart from the Covid-19 blackout until 29 June. Horse Racing Ireland has sought clarification from the Irish government since Taoiseach Leo Varadkar announced his five-phase roadmap for the relaxing of controls last Friday.

We remain strongly focused on ensuring we are prepared to resume at the earliest possible opportunity

BHA chiefs