Coronavirus

The Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby meeting on June 26 is expected to be the first racing fixture in the country to welcome up to 1,000 fans, the Taoiseach Micheal Martin confirmed Friday evening. Horse owners are expected to be allowed on course beginning June 7. The Irish Field was first to report the news. "We expect to be in a position to welcome owners back on track with effect from June 7," HRI Chief Executive Brian Kavanagh told the publication. "This would be a brilliant outcome as owners have...

DONCASTER, UK--It takes more than mere pandemic-induced travel restrictions to blunt the ardour of the bloodstock industry. A new record for turnover and median set the tone for a robust day of trade in Doncaster and, just as would be expected in normal times, the buyers' list at the Arqana Breeze-Up Sale represented many nations, with plenty of help from the Middle East. The familiar duo of Anthony Stroud and David Loder leaned nonchalantly on the parade ring rail to make their play for the Medaglia d'Oro colt who would...

Gulfstream Park has relaxed many of its COVID-19 protocols beginning with Friday's card, including open access to outdoor areas, guests not being required to wear face coverings outdoors, and the return of free admission to the apron, walking ring and breezeway. Other changes include the removal of most barriers and temporary plexiglass, no temperature checks at entrances and the welcoming back of families with small children. Guests will still be required to wear face masks inside and to practice social distancing.

A report titled The future for British breeding and its potential impact on the British racing industry was published by the Thoroughbred Breeders' Association on Tuesday. The report details recommendations to halt the potentially catastrophic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on British racing in the medium and long term. Some of the suggestions in the report are: capitalising on Britain's international reputation for breeding and racing, ensuring a competitive and diverse racing programme and improving the viability of the British breeding industry. In addition, the report recommends united industry action...

Buyers are required to register at Goffs Online to bid online at the 2021 Arqana Breeze-Up Sale, Arqana announced on Saturday. Registrations for bidding online are now open. Online bidding on the sale will only be available at Goffs Online, not Arqana Online, the French sales company stressed. For the second year in a row, the 2-year-old sale, which features 158 juveniles, will be held at Goffs UK's Doncaster sales complex due to COVID-19 travel restrictions. The breezes, which will start at noon, will be conducted at Doncaster Racecourse on...

Owing to better-than-expected revenues from its gaming operations since returning from a coronavirus-related, six-month closure and the ability to conduct business over a 20-hour business day, purses at Finger Lakes Gaming and Racetrack (FLGR) will be increased for the second time this season, leaving daily prizemoney 26% higher than it was in 2020. In announcing a 10% increase in addition to the 15% that was announced last month, average daily purses have increased by better than $30,000 versus last year. "This second increase in 2021 is another positive development for...

Under the current spectator cap put in place by the UK Government for its Roadmap out of lockdown, the five-day Royal Ascot meeting will be held with just 4,000 spectators each day. Ascot Racecourse is planning for that eventuality, but there is a slim chance that the meeting could be used as a pilot event that would allow up to 10,000 daily spectators at the venue. Step 3 of the Government Roadmap out of coronavirus restrictions is in place until at least June 21. There will be no general admission....

The prize money for the 2021 QIPCO British Champions Day at Ascot on Oct. 16 will be raised to £4 million, QIPCO announced on Tuesday. This is a 60% increase on 2020 levels that were reduced due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The G1 QIPCO Champion S. will be worth £1.2 million, while the G1 Queen Elizabeth S. boasts prize money of £1.1 million. The G1 QIPCO British Champions Fillies & Mares, G1 QIPCO British Champions Sprint and the G2 QIPCO British Champions Long Distance Cup will each offer prize money...

The New York Racing Association has released updated ticket and hospitality options for the 2021 Belmont Stakes Racing Festival. The newly available ticket inventory reflects updated New York State guidance for large outdoor events that allows for fully vaccinated stadium sections to operate at full capacity. In accordance with those guidelines, which take effect May 19, NYRA has updated its inventory to include availability within hospitality areas such as the Marquee Tent and individual reserved seat sections in the clubhouse that will be designated as fully vaccinated. To purchase tickets...

Trainer Jessica Harrington has been banned from attending the races for two weeks and fined €3,500 after breaking COVID-19 protocols at Aintree's Grand National meeting, the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board announced on Monday. Harrington "acted in a manner which was prejudicial to the proper conduct or good reputation of horseracing" the IHRB hearing found and her ban will last until May 24. Harrington, who had both Magic of Light (Ire) (Flemensfirth) and Jett (Ire) (Flemensfirth) in the Grand National, did not stay in the 'Irish Bubble' set up for the...

Prime Minister Boris Johnson confirmed that the next phase of England's roadmap out of the ongoing COVID-19 lockdown will go ahead as planned on Monday, meaning that limited spectators may return to English racecourses from May 17. As a result of restrictions easing across England as the Covid alert level moves from level four to level three in seven days, English tracks should be able to host 4,000 spectators or fill a venue to 50% of capacity, the British Horseracing Authority (BHA), Racecourse Association (RCA) and The Horsemen's Group (GB)...

Approximately £80 million will be the Levy income for the year that ended on Mar. 31, 2021, the Horserace Betting Levy Board announced on Monday. The figure is a result of provisional submissions to date from most Levy-paying bookmakers. Originally, as the COVID-19 pandemic progressed in the UK, the HBLB had estimated a Levy return between £76-£85 million. Racing in the UK was halted from mid-March until June 1, 2020. HBLB Chairman Paul Darling commented, "There was no British racing for the first two months of the Levy year and...