pandemic

The International Conference of Horseracing Authorities, organised by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA), will return as an in-person event in Paris, France on Oct. 3. Held virtually for the past two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the conference's topics to be covered include the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) in the United States, broadening horse racing's appeal globally, addressing climate change through sport, and lessons learned from the pandemic. "As the first in-person conference in three years, this event convenes at a critical junction of our...

Privat 3 Money, the first truly digital alternative to private banking in the UK, has been announced as the new title partner for the Goffs London Sale. Held at Kensington Palace Gardens on June 13, the eve of Royal Ascot, the sale is accepting entries in the coming weeks. This is the first edition since 2019, as the sale was not held during the pandemic. Goffs Group Chief Executive Henry Beeby said, "We are delighted to welcome Privat 3 Money as the new title partner to Goffs London Sale. P3...

The Racing Together Community Day was held on Thursday, May 5 and featured a record level of participation. The event, on hiatus due to the pandemic since 2019, is an opportunity for a range of racing businesses and charities in the UK to engage with and support their communities through local volunteering activities. Over 65 organisations from across the sport gave their time to help others and it was coordinated by Racing Together. Activity ranged from refurbishing a local primary school's garden to sign-cleaning and supporting local food banks. John...

In accordance with the updated UK Government protocols for sports venues, the British Horse Racing Authority (BHA) issued an outline of protocols that enter effect Wednesday, Dec. 15. "Racing must continue to do all we can to protect the health and livelihoods of our people and maintain business continuity," said Dr. Jerry Hill, BHA's Chief Medical Adviser. "These measures are considered essential to support this objective at a time where cases of the Omicron variant of the virus are increasing exponentially and other sports are facing COVID-related fixture cancellations. All...

Demand for bloodstock continued in Newmarket on Thursday, albeit at a lower price bracket, as Adaalah (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}), a member of the Shadwell draft, brought 82,000gns to top the fourth and final session of the Tattersalls December Mare Sale as the curtain fell on the sales season at Park Paddocks for 2021. Thanks in part to larger drafts from the aforementioned Shadwell, Juddmonte and Godolphin, the former pair having lost their patrons earlier this year, turnover at the December Mare Sale was in excess of 60 million gns,...

Throne Hall (GB) (Kingman {GB}) and Strozzi (Ger) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}), both consigned by Godolphin, brought identical bids of £50,000 to share joint-topper honours during Thursday's Tattersalls Ascot November Sale. Held at Ascot racecourse for the first time since 2019 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the sale grossed a record £603,500 for 77 sold (83%). The average was £7,838 and the median was £4,600. Blandford Bloodstock purchased lot 66, Throne Hall. A dual winner, the 4-year-old gelding is from the family of globetrotting Group 1 winner Flintshire (GB) (Dansili...

The 2020 financial results were announced by Ascot Racecourse on Wednesday. Total turnover was down by 77% due to COVID-19 restrictions with only two racedays being held with spectators and another 18 run behind closed doors. There were also five lost racedays due to the pandemic and one abandonment due to inclement weather. Pandemic insurance and support from the UK Government through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and business rates relief prevented a pre-tax loss of over £31 million. In addition, the staff were restructured to adjust to pandemic trading...

The 2021 International Conference of Horseracing Authorities, organised by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA), will be held virtually for the second year in a row on Oct. 4. This year's focus will be on global racing's evolution and future challenges, with the conference digitally released on Oct. 7. New IFHA Chair Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges will give the keynote speech, as well as several panel discussions. Some of the topics to be covered in this year's conference include: digitalisation and media; equine welfare; and climate change and sustainability. Rishi Persad...

Irish racecourses can host up to 50% of their outdoor capacity beginning on Sept. 6 following the Irish Government's latest COVID-19 response roadmap, Horse Racing Ireland announced on Thursday. Racecourses may also utilise 60% of their indoor capacity for hospitality purposes should attendees consume food and beverages indoors as long as they provide evidence of their Digital Covid Vaccine Cert (DCC). Attendance in both spheres will be increased to 100% as long as all covid restrictions are lifted on Oct. 22. Regarding Irish Champions Weekend on Sept. 11 and 12,...

The Women Jockey's World Cup has been cancelled for the second year running due to continuing COVID-19 pandemic restrictions. Started at Bro Park in Stockholm, Sweden in 2017, the event is traditionally staged in June and has seen riders from 12 countries compete during the first three editions. Dennis Madsen Svensk Galopp's Director of Racing said, "It is very frustrating to have to cancel the Women Jockeys' World Cup for a second year running. "The international nature of the event requires early planning and even with the concessions that are...

A prize money boost of over £3 million at The Jockey Club racecourses for the remainder of 2021 was announced on Tuesday. This purse increase brings prize money to within 9% of pre-pandemic levels. Total prize money will exceed £42 million this year at all levels of the sport for the 15 racecourses operated by The Jockey Club. This amount is prior to additional funding from the industry's Appearance Money Scheme (AMS). These prize money increases are effective immediately, with the Cazoo Derby Festival gaining £65,000 and a £135,000 boost...

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...