RUST: THIS IS JUST THE START
NICK RUST warned “this is only the start of the beginning” as racing makes its resumption from the coronavirus pandemic at Newcastle this afternoon.
Racing becomes the first professional sport to restart over the COVID-19 crisis with a 10-race card at Gosforth Park, having been given the green light from Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden on Saturday.
The blackout, which has seen no racing take place in Britain since March 17, has cost the industry an estimated £50million.
And, amid widespread relief that racing is back, British Horseracing Authority chief executive Rust (left) stressed that the hard work starts today.
“This is only the start of the beginning,” he said. “We will need to work very hard as a sport to battle our way through the next six to 12 months, as our revenue streams are reduced compared to the model we were operating before the coronavirus.”
But, racing’s return — ahead of rival sports — also brings with it the chance to expand its fanbase, he argued.
“We are very, very proud that we are the first major professional sport that is back on the first possible day that we could have been back in line with the Government’s guidelines,” said Rust.
“We’ve got an opportunity over the next few weeks to showcase what we’re all about — not just how we manage protocols, but how colourful, how exciting our sport is. We’re going to have coverage, compared to other sports, that we haven’t seen for 40 or 50 years. “That is a great opportunity to reconnect with the public to push forward towards the recovery that the industry needs.”
The comeback takes place amid strict biosecurity protocols including facemasks, temperature checks and social distancing. And Rust added: “Our focus is on returning safely and protecting all those taking part in behind-closed-doors racing, while also reassuring the communities that racing takes place in that the risk of transmitting the virus has been minimised.”
While owners will be excluded from the behind-closed-doors meetings for the foreseeable future, BHA chief regulatory officer Brant Dunshea (left), who oversaw a dress rehearsal raceday at Lingfield last Friday, is keen for their return.
“We’re absolutely conscious of the importance of owners to our sport and it’s a focus for us to look at how, as soon as it’s considered reasonably appropriate, we can get owners to the racecourse because of the huge contribution they make,” said Dunshea.