BHA aims for June racing return after UK government guidance
Racing’s governing bodies react to latest Covid-19 strategy plan that outlaws professional sport until summer
The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) hopes that racing will resume on 1 June following the latest roadmap strategy announcement from the UK government.
While the route out of lockdown is still fraught with conditions, the return of professional sport before the summer has been ruled out. The BHA had previously hoped that some races could be held in May, albeit behind closed doors.
The BHA, along with the National Trainers’ Federation, the Racecourse Association and the Racehorse Owners’ Association, released a statement that the committee would convene to develop a provisional fixture programme for racing’s return.
The group hopes that the season’s upcoming Classics will be run – although at least six weeks later than usual.
The statement read: “The [BHA’s] Resumption of Racing Group will meet later this week and ensure that race planning and the provisional fixture programme, including the scheduling of the Classics and other flagship races, meet the new government timeline.
“Racing has already drawn up plans for resumption based on minimising risk for participants through robust social distancing and strict infection control measures. Discussions with Public Health England and chief medical officers from sports including horseracing will also continue.”
The BHA has been planning behind-closed-doors meetings since all racing in Britain was suspended in March following Cheltenham Festival.
Plans included on-site hotels to accommodate jockeys and other race-day staff, as well as a blanket ban on spectators.
In the government’s latest strategy announcement, it noted the opening of sports stadia to the public, including racecourses, “may only be fully possible significantly later depending on the reduction in numbers of infection”.
French horseracing returned this week with behind-closed-doors action at ParisLongchamp.