Industry is facing uncertainty

Best-case scenario is a return to action in May

Richard Johnson has spoken of the uncertainty facing the racing industry amid the coronavirus shutdown.

On Tuesday, just days after the Cheltenham Festival had reached a conclusion, it was announced there will be no more racing in Britain until at least the start of May.

Johnson was pleased that National Hunt’s showpiece meeting got the go-ahead, but fully understands the reasons for the subsequent suspension.

“It’s a frustrating time for us all – none of us is sure what to expect or knows what is around the corner,” he said.

“It was strange yesterday to race behind closed doors, but then the news broke that yesterday would be the last day completely.”

Racing came in for criticism in some quarters for staging the Cheltenham Festival, but Johnson believes the right decision was made. He said: “The situation was progressing on a daily basis.

“Last week we were finding out more about it, the government and the BHA were taking different steps – and now we’ve stopped racing.

“It’s disappointing, obviously, as we all want to keep racing – but, at the same time, the health of the country takes priority. Hopefully it won’t be too long, but that’s the trouble, nobody really knows what is ahead of us.

While there may be no action on the track, Johnson himself will be kept busy by his own horses, and stressed that many in training will still be on the go – in the hope racing can return as quickly as possible.

“All the horses still have to be ridden out – depending on owners if they want to give theirs a period of rest now – but they still have to be kept going,” he said.

“Jockeys have to keep going too. I have about 20 horses at home, so we’ve been busy this morning.

“I’ll have plenty to keep me busy but nearly everyone in racing is selfemployed, so we just have to hope like the rest of the country that things improve and we can get back to normality as quickly as possible.”

“Racing behind closed doors was slightly eerie – but when you are actually in the race it didn’t feel very different.

“If we have to go back to that, it’s something we would be happy with, but we’ll all be led by the advice of the government.

“I’ve a young family and an older mother and father, so I just want everyone to stay safe and get through this outbreak.”

While an initial return to racing in May is hoped for, that is a best-case scenario – meaning the Guineas meeting at Newmarket early that month and the Derby in early June could be placed in some doubt.

Picture: PA. Jockey Richard Johnson says the racing industry will be led by the advice of the government.