Harness racing to continue behind closed doors
RACING WILL continue behind closed doors at York Harness Raceway this weekend.
The sport, which has a big following in the USA and Australia, has a lower profile in the UK but a dedicated group of trainers, drivers and spectators.
The all- weather track in York has been hosting race meetings for the past 30 years which are overseen and stewarded primarily by volunteers.
Harness racing, as its name suggests, differs from conventional horse racing as a horse and vehicle are involved.
It is thought to have its origins in the ancient sport of chariot racing.
Its modern day incarnation sees the ‘ driver’ sit behind the horse in a lightweight ‘ sulky’ and the horses race at either a trot or a pace, reaching speeds of more than 30mph.
Racing Manager for York Harness Raceway Craig Stevenson, who lives in Scotland, would, during a normal year, travel to York every weekend for the racing and volunteer stewards, will travel around the country from course to course during the racing season.
With Covid restrictions the season has been shorter but the venue has been able to hold meetings with strict rules in place. It was also able to hold its big annual sale of standardbreds, the horses used for the sport.
Mr Stevenson said the sale was able to go ahead, after last weekend’s race meeting.
He said: “We held the meeting behind closed doors with Harrogate Council and the Police on site to make sure everything adhered to the Covid guidelines.
“We were also able to go ahead with the sale and had 44 horses going through the ring which was a great turnout.”
With spectators unable to attend in person, the Raceway has invested in a ‘ pay per view’ system which streams the races live and also opens it up to audiences around the country.
“It is a really enjoyable sport to watch,” Mr Stevenson said.
“And there can be some rough and tumble.”