Racing authorities plan to start up sport on May 1 if situation allows with behind closed doors action
RACING could get back underway as soon as May 1.
The BHA has set up a ‘Racing Resumption Group’ with the intention of getting the sport going again after it was suspended just under two weeks ago.
Focus will be on starting the Flat season proper, and it is thought this would be behind closed doors and at a localised level to begin with.
This is likely at a handful of all weather tracks where the minimum amount of staff and bodies are needed.
However, it has been stressed that the situation in Britain would need to be in a condition where the authorities deemed it acceptable to start back up.
A letter sent on behalf of the group, led by the BHA’s Brant Dunshea, to trainers read: “The focus of this planning is on the conditions that would need to be met in order to ensure resumption of racing at the earliest opportunity.”
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The group is made up of Dunshea and Richard Wayman from the BHA, the RCA, trainers Ralph Beckett and Seamus Mullins, the ROA and the Levy Board.
The letter admits that Flat racing will be the focus due to the lesser demands on emergency services, with Jumpers’ Bumpers a possibility early on too.
A revised fixture programme is a possibility, meaning the Guineas and other key early meetings aren’t a forlorn hope just yet.
The letter continues: “We want to assure you that our main priority is to be ready for a resumption of racing as quickly as possible.
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“The current suspension of racing runs until the end of April and the Group is planning for a resumption from May 1.
“The Group is focused on innovation and creativity and are considering all options that could be implemented quickly under a range of possible scenarios.”
The news comes quick on the heels of a BHA announcement that an emergency million pound fund had been created to help the industrythrough the lockdown.
It left 200 BHA staff on furlough leave and major salary cuts for the remainder.