As British Horse racing Authority (BHA) loobies for the British horse racing resumption the racing group has proposed a limit to field sizes.
It forms as part of a phased-in approach to racing as the Resumption of Racing Group said via the BHA it was continuing to work on an outline program for the first two months of a return.
A limit to fields would mean preference would be given to senior jockeys only in the early stages if the sport is to return.
Meetings were last held in Britain at Wetherby and Taunton on March 17, both behind closed doors.
All plans for the resumption of the sport will be subject to government approval.
The priority will be for Flat racing as the Jumps season was abandoned earlier in the month.
Resumption of Racing Group hopes to make the public “within the next fortnight” an outline for the proposed program – and while there will be inevitable fixture changes, the Group are hoping to keep scheduling “as close to normal as practicable, with opportunities for all classes and ages of horse, including two-year-olds”.
The fixture list will be restricted initially and field sizes will have a maximum of 12 runners per race.
In an email to trainers, a statement said proposed immediate changes were based on risk – one of which field sizes of 12 or fewer reduces the risk to participants on the track and assists with social distancing requirements at the racecourse.
“We recognise that this will increase competition for places, so to help counteract this, we plan to extend the number of races on a card including by staging more divisions,” the RORG said.
“Even though we intend to provide a balanced program, it is likely that due to competition for places, some horses, particularly those that are lower rated, may find it difficult to get a run in the early stages of resumption.
“When conditions allow, more fixtures will be added and we also anticipate extending the Flat season beyond its normal end date, and so the connections of such horses may wish to take this into account in determining their plans.
“In summary, we have tried to reach a balance between minimising avoidable risk and providing as many opportunities as possible for horses to be able to run.
“We have taken in a similar risk mitigation approach in relation to jockeys, with analysis from the BHA’s medical department indicating that the more experienced riders are less likely to suffer injuries.
“Consequently, only the more senior jockeys will be able to ride under initial plans. This will be reviewed continually as resumption progresses.”
On the subject of where and how racing may restart, the email said all scenarios were being considered.
France Galop is tentatively planning to resume on May 11 with Germany also ready when given the go-ahead from governments.
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