BRITAIN BOWS TO INEVITABLE AND KEEPS THE PUBLIC OUT
RACE meetings throughout Britain will be run behind closed doors from as early as tomorrow.
The Racing Steering Group brought together to co-ordinate policy in the light of the threat from Covid-19 said last night this initial response will run until the end of March.
The Group, which includes representatives from the BHA, racecourses and the sport’s participants, will also look at potential changes to the fixture list to ensure any attempt to keep the sport running is sustainable amid inevitable staff pressures.
The Steering Group will meet again today to finalise plans before announcing the new restrictions.
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.’
Scottish Borders track Kelso will be the first racecourse in the country to go spectator-free this afternoon because the Scottish government have instructed that events attracting crowds of more than 500 should be cancelled.
Kelso’s managing director Jonathan Garratt said that racecourses would need more financial support from the BHA and Levy Board to carry on behind closed doors.
Most of Europe, including Ireland and France, is already racing behind closed doors.
Cruddace fears uncertainty running into the summer, meaning massive revenue-earning meetings from next month’s Grand National on April 4, to Epsom’s Derby meeting and Royal Ascot in June, could also be affected.
Meanwhile, Well Set Up, ridden by Ricky Doyle, took advantage of a final-flight mistake by Lady Breffni to win the Grade Three Kerry Group Irish EBF Shannon Spray Mares Novice Hurdle at Limerick. Lady Breffni led two out, but an error saw her lose momentum and let in the Mark Fahey-trained mount (4-1).