BHA announce race programme for first week after resumption – but host tracks and starting date yet to be confirmed
THE BHA have released the race programme for the first week of racing after the shutdown. But the latest update from the Resumption of Racing Group stopped short of confirming a potential start date or the tracks set to host racing. In the latest update, it was confirmed that racing leaders would meet on Monday […]
THE BHA have released the race programme for the first week of racing after the shutdown.
But the latest update from the Resumption of Racing Group stopped short of confirming a potential start date or the tracks set to host racing.
In the latest update, it was confirmed that racing leaders would meet on Monday to discuss the implications of Boris Johnson’s Sunday evening speech on the sport.
And the regulator added that it would not provide a potential date for a resumption until the day after the Prime Minister’s 7pm address.
The statement said that a start date ‘is still subject to guidance from the relevant public health authorities and the conditions in place during a phased return to racing’.
Once ‘this information is known’ to the BHA, they will confirm which racecourses will stage racing in the first week of a resumption.
At present, the race programme is broken down into ‘North, Midlands and South’, with 13 fixtures scheduled for the opening seven days of the Flat season, one on the opening day and two a day thereafter.
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The update also confirmed that BHA chief medical officer, Dr Jerry Hill, has been in ongoing discussions with government and Public Health England to demonstrate racing’s case for a safe resumption.
It also confirmed the Scottish Sports Minister met leaders from several sports – including horse racing represented by Jonathan Garratt of Kelso racecourse – on Tuesday at a ‘positive and constructive’ meeting around the return of sport in Scotland.
The statement read: “We understand that everyone across the industry wants to know the date on which racing can resume.
“We are continuing to have positive conversations with government, including public health officials.
“However, the reality is that the industry will need to understand more about the UK Government’s approach for the return of sport, and the operational implications of any continuing restrictions – and equally the plans from the devolved administrations in Scotland and Wales – before we can provide a clear date for resumption.
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“We remain strongly focused on ensuring that we are prepared to resume at the earliest possible opportunity and that our plans are sufficiently flexible to allow for a range of different scenarios, which can be adapted and implemented in line with the gradual easing of Government restrictions.
“This includes understanding the public health requirements that will be in place around testing, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) or returning to work – and how these may apply to racing.
“This flexible and positive planning approach has been communicated to government by the BHA, which continues to liaise with the UK Government and the Devolved administrations on behalf of the industry’s Public Affairs Group.
“The BHA’s head of racing, chief medical adviser and senior inspector of courses are now working with these courses individually on their own operational plans for resumption.
“This includes detailed work on how a raceday will function: from strict medical, biosecurity and social distancing protocols, to minimising the risk of injury and incident and avoiding unnecessary pressure on local NHS provision.”
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A ‘best-case scenario’ was released last week, with racing chiefs aiming to stage a number of stakes races across the final two weekends in May. They confirmed this was still the plan – but prize-money is likely to be severely effected, a matter which will be addressed next week.
The statement continued: “Last week, the Flat Pattern Committee’s sub-group published a provisional plan for Flat Pattern and Listed races, which is based on best-case scenario planning for restaging a certain number of races lost from early spring.
“We will continue to work to that provisional plan, pending any government announcements, and adjust plans accordingly to allow sufficient preparation for our flagship races, depending on when and under what circumstances racing can safely recommence.
“The industry’s Members’ Committee met on Wednesday to consider a financial plan to support the resumption of racing.
“As outlined in previous updates, due to reduced racecourse revenue, prize money will be heavily dependent on Levy Board contributions until betting shops re-open and crowds return to racecourses.
“The proposals have today been sent to the Levy Board, which expects to meet early next week with a view to agreeing resumption funding, and together we will aim to provide greater clarity around revised minimum prize money values in an update next week.”