Coronavirus

With less than a month to go before the scheduled opener on Apr. 17, Woodbine is facing the distinct possibility that it will be unable to operate next month due to COVID-19 protocols in place in Ontario. Woodbine is in an area currently designated as a Grey Zone, where horse racing is among the activities that are not allowed. Last year, the track was forced to end its meet two weeks early because of the same restrictions now threatening the April opener. "I am really starting to get concerned," Woodbine...

Additional ticket inventory for the 147th running of the GI Kentucky Derby will go on sale to the general public Friday, Mar. 26 at noon Eastern time. The newest options, good for both Derby day May 1 and the preceding afternoon's GI Kentucky Oaks program, are uncovered reserved bleacher-type seating in the first turn and uncovered box seating for groups of six in the infield. There will also be a limited number of first- and second-floor grandstand reserved seats available for purchase. Click here for ticket information. For 2021, all...

John and Thady Gosen will have their first runners under a joint licence on Saturday, Mar. 27, after announcing their imminent partnership earlier this year. Several horses, among them Haqeeqy (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) in the Doncaster Unibet Lincoln Heritage H., will step forward for the Clarehaven duo on Saturday. The news was first reported by the Racing Post. John Gosden told Racing Post, "It was always the plan to launch the dual-licence for the start of the Flat season and only delays on BHA modules due to Covid-19...

Beginning Friday, Apr. 2 and in keeping with the State of California's guidelines for large sporting event venues, Santa Anita Park will open to a limited number of fans. The opening is one day prior to the running of the GI Runhappy Santa Anita Derby. All tickets, which include an assigned seat, must be pre-purchased. For the time being, there will be no walk-up admissions, but that could be changed should COVID-19 numbers improve in Los Angeles County. To receive notifications on ticket sales as soon as they become available,...

There are 177 juveniles catalogued for the Goffs UK Doncaster Breeze Up Sale, the sales company announced on Tuesday. The breezes will be held at Doncaster Racecourse on Apr. 20 beginning at noon local time. The sale is slated for Apr. 21-22 with sessions starting at 10 a.m. local time each day. Several Royal Ascot winners have been sourced from the sale in recent years, including G1 Princes Of Wales's S. hero My Dream Boat (Ire) (Lord Shanakill), G1 Commonwealth Cup S. winner Quiet Reflection (GB) (Showcasing {GB}), G2 Norfolk...

The Tattersalls Ireland May Store Sale has been rescheduled for Wednesday, July 14. Tattersalls Ireland has taken this step due to the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic and prevailing travel restrictions. The Tattersalls Ireland Select July Store Sale is slated for Thursday, July 15, and the remaining stores will be put under the hammer at the Tattersalls Ireland August NH Sale on Aug. 10-11. At this time, inspections for the various store sales are almost complete, and the Tattersalls Ireland Derby Sale remains as scheduled on June 23-24. "Naturally...

One year on from the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, each and every individual in the racing and bloodstock realms has been faced with decisions they never wanted to, or dreamed they would have to, make. Those sentiments certainly ring true for the board and management team at Goffs. Faced with enduring national lockdowns and quarantine measures far more strict than those experienced by its competitors and clientele across borders, the Irish auction house found itself constantly returning to the drawing board throughout 2020 and into 2021. A measure of...

Based on increasing vaccine availability and declining COVID-19 numbers, The Stronach Group and TOC outlined new protocols at Santa Anita Park and Golden Gate Fields to allow licensed owners more access to the grounds. SANTA ANITA PARK Mandatory Santa Anita protocols, including social distancing (a minimum of six feet), face cloths covering your nose and mouth, health screening, temperature check and wrist banding will continue to be enforced for everyone entering Santa Anita, including the Stable Area. Winner's Circle After each race, the winning horse will be brought into the...

Over the final eight weeks of its 2021 season, Oaklawn will boost purses by 15%, a total of $2.5 million, into overnight races, including increasing top allowance races to $110,000. The across the board increase also takes maiden special weights to $93,000 and raises the bottom purse to $27,000, and represents the largest in-season purse hike in the track's history. "It's been an interesting year to say the least, but it is very gratifying to announce this purse increase nearly a year after shutting the race meet and casino down...

Putting the success into succession is a familiar challenge in the British training profession. In contrast with America, with its racetrack communes, burdens of infrastructure and overheads often make a private yard in Britain resemble a farm: a family concern, to be passed down between one generation and the next. The dilemma is how to dovetail inherited advantages—in terms of reputation, clientele and facilities—with the imperative of putting your own stamp on a progressive enterprise. Latest to attempt this balancing act is Ed Bethell, who has just taken on Thorngill...

The British racing industry will launch a pilot scheme on Monday offering routine pre-raceday Covid testing for racecourse attendees including jockeys, valets and officials. The pilot, which is funded by the Horserace Betting Levy Board, will last for an initial four-week period and will use regular and repeat Later Flow Testing to detect positive Covid-19 cases well in advance of race day. Dr Jerry Hill, the British Horseracing Authority's chief medical adviser, said, "Advances in testing means that it can now be delivered in a more rapid, convenient and targeted...

The Thursday racing card at Golden Gate Fields was on hold after animal rights protesters ran on to the track before the first race and locked themselves together with interlocking pipes over their arms. The first race was scheduled to go off at 12:45 p.m. Pacific Time. As of 4:45 p.m. local time, one hour after the last race was scheduled to go off, no races had been held and the protestors remained on the track. The protest was staged by a group called Direct Action Everywhere, which live-streamed the...