British Racing Awaits Johnson's Exit Plan

British racing's leaders will meet on Monday following the government's expected Sunday announcement regarding the country's plans for the easing and gradual exit from lockdown. There has been no racing in Britain since the two National Hunt meetings held behind closed doors at Wetherby and Taunton on March 17.

The weekly update from the Resumption of Racing Group stated, “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.”

The statement also pointed to the fact that cabinet ministers Matt Hancock and Dominic Raab both made favourable public comments this week with regard to the resumption of sport in Britain. Hancock, as well as being Health Minister, is the MP for West Suffolk, the constituency which includes Newmarket.

It read, “This optimism was echoed by the Foreign Secretary, Dominic Raab, who noted that the return of sport would 'lift the spirits of the nation'. He referenced the 'constructive meetings with sports bodies' and the plans being developed by the Culture Secretary for a safe and sustainable resumption of sport, in line with medical and scientific advice.

“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.”

The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has now published on its website a plan of provisional meetings for the first week of racing in the country, along with a note of caution that this is still subject to guidance from the health authorities. The plan does not specify racecourses and includes 13 fixtures, two each day bar the first day. There are 12 2-year-old races slated, along with 27 for 3-year-olds only and a further 64 races open to older horses.

Following a planned Levy Board meeting early next week, it is expected that a further announcement will be made regarding likely prize-money allocations for the revised fixtures.