Coronavirus

As the Triple Crown trail came to an end, with many tracks hosting important Kentucky Derby preps, and with Keeneland staging its Spring meet in its regular spot on the calendar, wagering on U.S. races exceeded $1.1 billion, according to statistics released Wednesday by Equibase. Year-over-year comparisons are largely irrelevant, as the effects of the coronavirus really made their presence felt in April 2020. Keeneland was left no choice but to postpone its meet to July, racing at Santa Anita was dark into late May and in New York, it...

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) announced Friday that it is collaborating with Quest Diagnostics to provide COVID-19 testing this Saturday and Sunday at Belmont Park, where a limited number of spectators will return to the track for the first time since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Quest Diagnostics Mobile Testing Unit will offer COVID-19 antigen tests, which return a result within 30 minutes. On both Saturday and Sunday, tests will be offered to spectators for $30. The Quest Diagnostics Mobile Testing Unit will be located near...

Following the issuance of detailed racetrack health and safety protocols by New York State, Belmont Park will re-open to a limited number of spectators Saturday, the New York Racing Association announced Wednesday. Spectators must purchase track admission in advance and adhere to strict health and safety protocols designed to mitigate the risk of COVID-19. "NYRA has been working collectively toward this goal since the start of the pandemic and we are thrilled to be able to welcome fans back to Belmont Park," said NYRA President & CEO Dave O'Rourke. "We...

The Qatar Goodwood Festival, slated for July 27-31, will boast an increase in prize money for its three feature races, the racecourse announced on Tuesday. The G1 Qatar Sussex S. will once again be worth £1 million, while the G1 Qatar Goodwood Cup has total prize money of £500,000. Rounding out the three Group 1s with increased prize money is the G1 Qatar Nassau S., which will be worth £600,000. Overall, the five-day festival will offer over £4.8 million in prize money in July. In 2020, purses were reduced due...

The Ontario government announced earlier this week that a province-wide COVID-19-related lockdown has been extended to at least May 20, dashing hopes that Woodbine will be able to open for business any time soon. The meet was supposed to begin Apr. 17. "There is a crisis right now in the Toronto area and we're right in the middle of it," said Woodbine CEO Jim Lawson. "They are running out of intensive care beds and the numbers are not going down. The good news is that more vaccines are coming in...

A trio of Group 1 races at the Welcome to Yorkshire Ebor Festival on Aug.18-21 and the G2 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Dante S. on May 13 have all had their prize money boosted to pre-COVID levels, the racecourse announced on Wednesday. The G1 Juddmonte International on Aug. 18, rated the Longines World's Best Horse Race in 2020, will once again be worth £1 million, while the Aug. 19 G1 Darley Yorkshire Oaks will be run for £400,000. The purse of the G1 Coolmore Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe S. will also...

Wellbeing across the Horseracing Industry, a comprehensive survey to help inform a strategy dedicated to the welfare of the British Racing workforce, was launched on Tuesday. The survey, which runs through May 16, is open to everyone working across the Thoroughbred racing and breeding industry. Every individual who completes the survey, will receive a personalised well-being report to help improve how they feel, live and work. A Wellbeing Committee was also created, comprising a significant range of expertise across its membership, as well as a dedication towards improving further the...

Following a nationwide poll, interest in horse racing in Ireland has increased, Horse Racing Ireland announced on Wednesday. A poll of over 1,000 people, conducted by the Red C research company between Feb. 8-Feb. 15, aimed at understanding the adult population's attitudes toward horse racing. The results are as follows: In 2021, 39% of the population have an interest in horse racing versus 23% last year A total of 85% of racing fans are missing attending race meetings 19% of racing fans plan to attend more race meetings than previously...

NEWMARKET, UK--Business as usual? Hardly. But at least things don't feel quite as unnervingly unusual as last year. At the best of times, breeze-up pinhookers have a precarious window of opportunity. After a long winter of preparation, their horses get a few, fleeting seconds between those timing lasers--and if for any reason they misfire then very few prospectors nowadays, whatever they may claim, will give them the benefit of the doubt. And, unlike with foals and yearlings, there is no second chance. All you can do is put the horse...

The Tattersalls Ireland Goresbridge Breeze Up Sale has been moved once again to the Tattersalls headquarters at Park Paddocks in Newmarket, Tattersalls Ireland announced on Monday. Ongoing COVID-19 related travel restrictions in Ireland prompted the location switch and 2021 marks the second year the sale will be held in Newmarket. The practice breeze session and breeze session proper at Newmarket Racecourse will be held on June 1 and 2, respectively, with the sale scheduled for June 3, as the racecourse is also operating as a COVID-19 vaccination centre. Originally, Goresbridge...

The Thoroughbred Incentive Program (T.I.P.) Championships horse show will return this Oct. 8-10 at Stable View in Aiken, SC, officials at The Jockey Club T.I.P. announced Monday. The 2020 event was a casualty of the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of $60,000 will be up for grabs, with awards down to 10th place in 30 divisions spanning hunters, jumpers, dressage, a combined test, Western dressage, English pleasure, and Western pleasure. For the first time, the event will also offer in-hand championships. We are delighted to be able to bring the T.I.P....

Old Friends Retirement Farm in Georgetown, Kentucky, is set to host its 16th annual Homecoming event Sunday, May 2, from noon to 3 p.m. Dubbed 'Homecoming Lite,' the event will be restricted to 125 pre-paid guests owing to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Tickets are $25 for the general public and will not be available for purchase on site. Members of Old Friends are free and children under the age of 10 are not permitted. While the traditional silent and live auctions will be missing from this year's event, the art...