Fears over future of Perth races

Considerations of how to protect industry’s future amid uncertainty

The very existence of Perth Racecourse is in jeopardy, with chief executive Hazel Peplinski admitting that a long coronavirus shutdown would leave the business in “deep, deep trouble”.

Perth Festival, the first event of the season, has been called off, which is bad enough.

But the nightmare scenario of no racing at Scone Palace for the rest of 2020 can’t be dismissed and, as such, emergency talks with bankers have already begun.

“First of all this is about the health of the nation and that has to be the absolute priority,” said Peplinski.

“Economics is one thing but people’s health is what is most important in a situation like this.

“We have been told the end of April but in truth nobody knows how long this could take to resolve itself and we have to look at the worst case scenario in our financial planning.

“We have sold hundreds of thousands of pounds’ worth of tickets and hospitality so if we don’t get to race during 2020 having been in close season for six months up until now we are in deep, deep trouble.

“It would be financial devastation so we are in emergency talks with our bankers about a potential crisis. For a seasonal racecourse like Perth this could not have struck at a worse time.”

If there is no sport at the racecourse, the venue will be relying on customer support to keep it going.

Peplinksi, pictured, added: “If we can’t race this year we have to appeal to the loyalty of racegoers and hope our customers will consider a transfer of their ticket purchase to a future meeting rather than applying for a refund.

“Of course customers are perfectly entitled to a refund within 28 days of the meeting being cancelled, however this is an unprecedented scale and we are trying to survive as a business that would normally contribute an economic impact to Perthshire of £12 million, so it is not just our own livelihoods.

“In order for the racecourse to survive – and we have survived for over 400 years – I just wish to highlight how much the racecourse would appreciate customers deferring their tickets. Of course, we shall honour our terms and conditions.

“If this goes on into the summer, and a high percentage of customers do not choose to transfer their tickets, things look very stark for Perth racecourse.

“At the moment we are still reeling from the shock of this news as we had so much to look forward to. It is a case of planning for the worst and hoping for the best.

“If we can race after April then we can survive but things are so up in the air nobody knows what will happen.

“This has been so massive, society has changed overnight and the uncertainty is making it very difficult for us all.”

Mark Johnston admits only time will tell what the full impact of the pandemic will be for the racing industry, following the cancellation of all British meetings until the end of April.

While last week’s Cheltenham Festival went ahead unaffected, the situation has escalated hugely in the last seven days – with racing taking place behind closed doors yesterday, before the British Horseracing Authority’s latest decision to suspend the calendar from today

Johnston, the most successful Flat trainer in British racing history having trained well over 4,000 winners, is keeping his fingers crossed for a swift resolution – describing the possibility of the entire Flat season being cancelled as “unthinkable”.

The Middleham handler said: “Obviously it’s very disappointing. I think, well hoped, racing could be the one sport that could continue behind closed doors.

“I’ve only just heard the news, so I haven’t had chance to properly go through the BHA’s reasoning behind it. I’m not going to criticise the decision, because I’m sure they had good reason for it.

“None of us knows how long this is going to go on for. I don’t know how it’s going to affect the people selling at the breeze-up sales – it could be an enormous blow for them – and it’s obviously going to hit racecourses very hard.

“The implications of it potentially cancelling the entire Flat season don’t bear thinking about. We’d have a whole generation of two-year-olds who haven’t been able to run – as I say, it’s unthinkable.

“It’s a situation none of us has ever encountered before, and my opinion on it changes every day.”

Classic-winning trainer Andrew Balding supports the BHA’s decision to cancel racing.

He told Sky Sports Racing: “Obviously there’s disappointment to some extent, but in light of what is happening in other countries and what could potentially happen here, it was the only decision that could be made - and I’m sure it’s the right one.

“Having a defining date of when it might resume would be a help, but I think that is impossible in these circumstances.”

While the jumps season is drawing to a close, the Flat turf season was scheduled to begin later this month – with crucial Classic trials due to take place.

“We had horses pencilled in for trials and important prep races that won’t take place now,” said Balding.

“So it’s up to the trainers to get to grips with the fact we won’t have the benefit of a trial – certainly for the Guineas anyway.

“We’ll have to make the best of the situation we’ve got. It is difficult if you don’t know when the fixtures might be rearranged, but it’s a question of coping with the hand you’ve been dealt.”

“Economics is one thing but people’s health is what is most important in a situation like this. HAZEL PEPLINSKI