UK racing is edging closer to a return as the British government today declared a potential timeline for the resumption of racing.
In the issuing 60-page statement titled ‘Our Plan to Rebuild’, the government states sports and cultural events will resume behind closed doors as coronavirus restrictions begin to relax.
The return to racing comes at a poignant time given its European rivals France and Germany have returned to the sport, while countries such as Australia, Japan and Hong Kong have continued racing throughout the pandemic.
The British government will allow racing to recommence from Monday June 1, however that date is still a work in progress and certain criteria and arrangement will need to be met before it is officially given the green light.
Government health officials have provided the conditional date but will give final approval.
Racing’s Executive Committee, which includes the British Horseracing Authority, the Racecourse Association, The Racehorse Owners’ Association and the National Trainers Federation, committed to plan for resumption on June 1st.
In a statement released by the British Horseracing Authority, planning is well underway to finalise the new-look fixture for the Flat season.
“The 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,” it said.
“UK racing return plans are 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 horse racing will also continue,
“This has involved the development of new processes and protocols, which will require significant adjustments to ‘normal’ race-day practices. The sport will be focusing its efforts during the remainder of May on finalising and agreeing these changes across the industry and supporting everyone to understand and adopt them.”
While the Resumption of Racing group hasn’t fully ruled out the return of racegoers to racecourses, the government’s document says that it “may only be fully possible significantly later depending on the reduction in numbers of infections”, but it gives no specific timeline.
The UK government is continuing to work with administration groups in Scotland and Wales to coordinate the easing of lock down restrictions where possible.
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