Racing to return

Newcastle to lead the way – but there WON’T be any crowds:

NEWCASTLE Racecourse will take centre stage on Monday as it stages the first UK sporting event since the Covid-19 lockdown was imposed.

Gosforth Park will also host meetings on Tuesday, Friday and Saturday as racing goes under starter’s orders again in a phased return from its suspension during the public health crisis.

The Tyneside course will lead the way as the horse racing industry edges towards a complete comeback, albeit behind closed doors.

A spokesman for Arena Racing

Company said: “This will be the first racing fixture in Britain since the sport was suspended in March.

“While confirmation of fixures in the longer term is to come, we are not expecting any problems”. Only essential staff will be in attendance at the first day of racing at the Newcastle course, which recently announced the postponement of its biggest annual event, the Northumberland Plate, which is also one of the highlights of the racing calendar nationally. There will be 10 races on Monday – with 12 runners in each and while they will take place without the usual crowds of spectators racing fans can catch up with the action as it will be broadcast live by Sky Sports. Newcastle will also feature as ITV Racing makes a high-profile return with 21 live races to be screened over three days, beginning at racing

Arena spokesman

HQ Newmarket and Lingfield on Friday.

It will be the channel’s first broadcast since Thurles in Ireland was shown on March 21 and will hosted by Ed Chamberlin from his home ‘studio.’

Seven races will be shown each day and, taking centre stage on the first afternoon at Newmarket is the Coronation Cup, followed by the Qipcosponsored 2,000 and 1,000 Guineas on Saturday and Sunday respectively.

Lingfield’s Derby and Oaks trials also feature, while the Sagaro Stakes at Newcastle is another highlight of the Saturday offering and the Brigadier Gerard Stakes will be shown from Haydock on Sunday.

This will be the first racing fixture in Britain since March and we are not expecting any problems