French President Emmanuel Macron has greenlit the May 11 resumption of racing in France behind closed doors, France Galop and LeTROT jointly announced Saturday morning. France Galop, LeTROT and the National Federation of horse racing received the government authorities definitive approval for the resumption of racing in France from May 11, in accordance with the program established by the racing authorities. The news came after France Galop and Le TROT had spent Friday negotiating with the government, releasing a joint press release late Friday evening. There had been rumors of a challenge to the French government's decision to allow racing to go ahead from an unnamed quarter on Friday.
The decision was welcomed by racing authorities. Thanking President Macron, Prime Minister Edouard Philippe and Ministers Didier Guillaume and Gerald Darmanin, France Galop President Edouard de Rothschild tweeted on Saturday morning, “This was a race I wanted to win more than any other. The return to racing has been accepted. Now, let us show them that they were right!”
Paris had been declared a “red zone” during the coronavirus lockdown in France. Three tracks are running on Monday–ParisLongchamp, Compiegne and Toulouse, with the first two located in the Paris “red zone”. ParisLongchamp plays host to four group races, as well.
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