Racing hopes rise as France announces low-key resumption
RACING’S return in France tomorrow might be seen as a positive for British officials hoping for encouraging news about their hopes to restart the sport after Prime Minister Boris Johnson addresses the nation this evening.
Racing is already back in Germany. But the fact that the resumption of the sport across the Channel came perilously close to falling at the last hurdle will be sobering, especially as it now looks like the earliest resumption that racing-friendly Ireland can hope for is June 8.
Trials for the French 1,000 and 2,000 Guineas as well as the presence of 2019 French Derby winner Sottsass in the Prix D’Harcourt will mean French racing will return with a bang in a 10-race card at Paris track Longchamp, with meetings also taking place at Compiegne and Toulouse.
But the delicate tightrope officials are treading means Olivier Delloye, chief executive of ruling body France-Galop, will not be sounding a fanfare.
Delloye said: ‘I will definitely not be promoting racing in the general media. We have to keep low-key. The fact we are resuming racing when some other sports are still not allowed can create some tension.
‘The big challenge is to make all the people involved in race meetings strictly observe the rules to make sure we do not jeopardise the decision to resume.’
Delloye’s comments reflect the belief that French government jitters were not caused by concern about the sport’s ability to operate within guidelines.
Some French media reports have suggested significant figures connected with football, which is banned in France until September, may have lobbied the government to have a second look at racing, which comes under the control of the Ministry of Agriculture.
Confirmation French racing could start finally came yesterday morning.
Racing in Paris — a hotspot for Covid-19 — has now been approved by the police.
Delloye said between 200 and 300 jockeys and support staff will attend Longchamp. Everyone at the track will be temperature-tested.