Racing to go behind closed doors until end of March
● Meetings will carry on but under strict conditions and with no crowd
Racing in Britain is set to go behind closed doors this week, initially until the end of the month, as a result of the escalating coronavirus outbreak.
The four-day Cheltenham Festival went ahead as planned last week, as did meetings over the weekend, but that now looks like changing, with the sport’s leaders preparing to hold fixtures without spectators and under strict conditions.
Fixtures in Ireland were closed to the public from Friday evening and it is a similar situation in Scotland, following guidance from the Irish and Scottish governments regarding the banning of mass gatherings with over 500 people.
A statement issued by the BHA read: “Racing industry leaders are preparing to hold race meetings without spectators and to ensure that the competitors and participants attending only do so under strict conditions.
“The sport’s tripartite leadership, including racecourses, participants and the governing body, the British Horseracing Authority, will tomorrow discuss an approach recommended by the industry’s COVID 19 group.
“It is likely to mean that racing moves behind closed doors later in the week, initially until the end of March. Racing’s fixture list will also be considered. With race meetings due to happen every day, the intention is to agree a programme that is sustainable in the light of possible staff absences, including in critical roles, which protects industry staff and supports the wider effort to free up critical public services.”
Aintree’s three-day Grand
National meeting is due to take place on 2-4 April.
The statement added: “The BHA has been closely following official guidance on public health. Details of contingency plans have been shared with the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.
“Racing has continued to observe the Government’s request for a proportionate response that takes into account public health and the impact on jobs and businesses.
“The UK Government has also been briefed on the issues involved in staging the Randox
Health Grand National. A decision will be announced as soon as possible.”
Nick Rust, chief executive of the BHA, said: “Racing has worked hard to look after our customers and our staff by following the government’s guidance and taking proportionate action.
“We will agree plans to limit attendance to participants and staff only at race meetings from this week and put in place the contingency plans developed by the industry.”
Kelso will stage the first Scottish race meeting behind closed doors today.
James Ewart is hoping for a big run from Ascot De Bruyere in today’s feature race at Kelso, a meeting that is being staged behind closed doors due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The First Minister announced on Thursday that the Scottish Government is advising that events attracting more than 500 people should be cancelled from today onwards.
And Kelso intend to remain within that capacity figure with only essential racecourse personnel, medical and veterinary staff, jockeys, officials and those accompanying the horses in attendance.
Brian Hughes-ridden Ascot De Bruyere faces four rivals in the Buy New Timeform Horses To Follow Handicap Chase and Langholm-based Ewart said: “I think he could run well as he’s a course winner, the ground will suit and he is in pretty good form. There are certainly plenty of ticks in the boxes.”
Among the opposition to the Dumfriesshire raider are bottom-weight Crixus’s Escape and Cultram Abbey representing Nicky Richards.