Newmarket back on track despite falling glass from window

SILENCE from the stands greeted runners on the track at Newmarket yesterday – but there was still a sense of delight from the few in attendance at the sport’s first meeting back at Flat racing’s Headquarters.

In any normal year a card packed with six two-year-old races from the biggest yards across the country would attract plenty looking for a future star in the making, but this year the famous grandstands are empty, and are likely to be for some time yet.

All the expected signs are in place to make sure strict hygiene and safety protocols are adhered to, but there was a most unexpected moment of alarm before racing – with a large pane of glass falling from a third-floor window in the main grandstand and shattering on the seating below.

Amy Starkey, who runs Newmarket as regional director for the Jockey Club east region, said: “A window fell out of the Champions Gallery on the third floor on to the level two seating for no explained reason. We are now investigating why and how it’s occurred.

“Clearly it is very concerning and thankfully we are staging racing behind closed doors so no members of the public or our team have access to the area.”

Reflecting on the build-up to the resumption of racing in Britain this week, Starkey said: “Over the last 11 weeks great credit goes to those that have worked tirelessly to make sure racing has been able to resume in a controlled environment to prevent the spread of Covid-19, and we are now sat here just two days away from the Classic of the season.

“It will feel strange, not least the fact that the 32,000 people that usually enjoy the Guineas Festival will not be here to enjoy the sport, but to get racing resumed in the safest possible way was the industry priority.

“The importance of racing to the UK economy [cannot be underestimated], particularly here in Newmarket with some 3,000 horses in training in the town.”