The wait is over
Government gives green light for elite sport to resume
Dowden delivers news fans have craved for 10 weeks We’ll be putting on a good show, promises Dettori
Snooker Returns tomorrow in Milton Keynes Racing Returns tomorrow at Newcastle
The Government signalled the start of the British sporting summer last night by giving horse racing and snooker the go-ahead to resume tomorrow.
The Culture Secretary, Oliver Dowden, delivered the news sports fans had been waiting 10 weeks to hear when he announced the strict conditions under which elite athletes and professional sportsmen and women may resume behind closed doors.
Racing will return in a bumper programme at Newcastle, with Championship League snooker, featuring Ronnie O’Sullivan and world No1 Judd Trump, scheduled for Milton Keynes.
It also means Premier League football is clear to return on June 17, and other major sports are set to follow as Covid-19 restrictions are eased.
“The wait is over,” said Dowden. “Live British sport will shortly be back in safe and carefully controlled environments. This is a significant moment for British sport. By working with clinicians every step of the way we are creating the safest possible environments for everyone involved.”
Jockey Frankie Dettori said: “It’s great news. I think everyone involved has done a great job to put the proposals for running the sport safely behind closed doors to the Government and getting the green light.
“We have racing of the highest level here and we’ll be putting on a good show. By Friday we will be into the first Group One of the season and on Saturday and Sunday, the first Classics. I can’t wait.”
Dettori, who, like many southernbased jockeys, is waiting for Kempton on Tuesday to dust his boots off, added: “After 10 weeks locked up with them at home, no one will be happier than my wife and kids to see the back of me!”
The British Horseracing Authority said that the resumption would help save livelihoods and businesses in the £4billion industry.
Nick Rust, the BHA chief executive, said: “I’m sure the return will be welcomed by all those who’ve missed the excitement of live sport and the majestic sight of racehorses running at full gallop. We hope it will lift the nation’s spirits in difficult times and look forward to seeing our owners and racing fans back at racecourses as soon as that’s possible.”
Racing last took place, behind closed doors, at Wetherby and Taunton, two low-key jump meetings, on March 17 before the turf Flat season had begun. However, 76 days later, it is back, this time with detailed protocols (a document running to 33 pages) to ensure the safety of its participants.
With the first quarter of the Flat season gone without a race run, the Classics have been saved. The Guineas have been put back to next weekend and the Derby is scheduled to go a month later than normal on July 4.