ASCOT PLAN TO RACE BEHIND CLOSED DOORS
THIS season’s Royal Ascot will have to be staged without crowds because of the coronavirus pandemic. — if it takes place at all.
And the first four Classics of the British Flat season — the 2,000 and 1,000 Guineas, the Derby and the Oaks — will be delayed, the Jockey Club announced yesterday.
Around 300,000 people normally attend the five days of Royal Ascot, the Queen’s favourite Flat meeting, in June.
But Racecourse Chief Executive
Guy Henderson (right) said: “For public health and safety reasons we have reached the difficult but unavoidable conclusion that Royal Ascot 2020 (16-20 June) will not be able to take place as an event open to the public.
“This will of course be a great disappointment for everyone planning to attend.
“But it may prove possible to run the Royal Ascot races behind closed doors, dependent on government and public health policy and the approval of the BHA for us to restart racing.”
However, there are no plans to reschedule key races should Royal Ascot have to be cancelled altogether.
British racing is currently suspended until at least May 1 following the coronavirus pandemic.
But the Newmarket Qipco Guineas fixture (May 2-3) and Epsom’s Investec Derby (June 5-6) meeting may take place later this year.
Jockey Club Racecourses are in talks with the British Horseracing Authority, the Horserace Betting Levy Board and commercial partners over possible new dates.
The revised programme would feature preparation races, with adequate spacing before the Group Ones.
JCR London Regional Director Phil White said: “Following consultation with our many event stakeholders and in order to comply with current government guidance, given the unique nature of the Downs as a public space, sadly it is not practical to stage The Investec Derby Festival on 5 and 6 June.
“We thank all involved for their pragmatism as we work together.”