France Galop has issued a provisional return to racing date of May 11, which comes only 24 hours after the French racing authorities met with the government to devise a return to racing plan.
The basis of the return will be without spectators and under strict health and quarantine rules for racing personnel as suggested by local health professionals.
All French racing has been paused since March 17 as the nation battled to contain the spread of the coronavirus.
France Galop has issued a statement outlining procedures for a return.
“Horseracing, which has been suspended since March 17, could resume from May 11 under strictly controlled health conditions,” France Galop said.
“Tens of thousands of French households depend on the racing industry. From studs to yards, it is an important workforce that cares and looks after the well-being of horses.
“During the suspension of horseracing most of them have been able to continue with their work, as horses and especially competition horses, cannot remain inactive.
“The yards and studs have hence continued their activities without being able to count on revenues generated by competition.”
France Galop in conjunction with LeTroy – the governing body of trotting racing, have collectively proposed stringent measures.
“These race meetings will be run behind closed doors for as long as necessary and in the strictest conditions, as it was already done in the final days leading to the suspension of horseracing in France,” France Galop said.
“Race meetings behind closed doors will be subject to very strict specifications. For example, only the trainer, the jockey or driver and one lad can accompany and look after a horse declared to run in a race.
“Personnel in charge of the organisation and regulation of horseracing will also be limited to the strict minimum.
“In order to mitigate the health risk, horses trained abroad and jockeys holding a foreign licence (apart from jockeys quarantined in France) will not be allowed to ride in races in France until the end of May at least.”
While France Galop has conceded that there will be major changes to the traditional racing fixture as well impacts on prize money, it was a small price to pay to ensure the sport that employs thousands across the country and adds millions to the economy could return.
“France Galop and LeTrot will publish their fixture lists in the following days,” the body said.
“Prize money policy from the moment racing resumes depends on the outcome of discussions that are currently being held with the responsible ministers.
“In fact, prize money and premiums are financed through betting and if racing resumes on May 11, PMU betting shops will only be partially operational, depriving betting operators and the entire racing industry from essential income.”
While talks have been constructive and positive, ultimately it will be dependent on government approval with French President Emmanuel Macron having extended the country’s lockdown until May 11 last week.
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