resumption of racing

All British pattern and listed races will be once again open to international runners from June 15. For the first fortnight of the resumption of racing, foreign shippers have been permitted only for the three Group 1 races. Internationally trained runners and those transporting them will be permitted to enter Britain but must comply with government rules. There is currently no quarantine period required for persons arriving to Britain from Ireland-although there is a 14-day mandatory quarantine requirement for individuals traveling into Ireland-but those arriving from countries other than Ireland...

European racing authorities are doubtless looking on with interest as Germany prepares to stage its first post-lockdown race meeting. That should have been on Monday, but a late intervention owing to a delayed government decision regarding the resumption of sporting fixtures, meant that on Saturday Dortmund was forced to call off its first race meeting. All eyes are now on Hannover, which has a 12-race card scheduled on Thursday with 189 entries. The easing of lockdown restrictions began in Germany on Apr. 20 and, in common with the phased approach...

James Tate believes Newmarket is the ideal location for racing to take place behind closed doors--if and when the British Horseracing Authority is able to resume the fixture list. The Newmarket trainer is confident meetings could be staged on the Rowley Mile under a phased return which would reflect any easing of the COVID-19 measures currently in place. Prospects of racing--which has been placed on lockdown by the BHA until the end of April at least--were given a glimmer of hope on Friday after a letter issued to stakeholders by...

On the day that the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) announced that 80% of its workforce has been furloughed, it also issued an update to racing's stakeholders on its plans towards resuming racing on May 1. An initial return to action is likely to see racing remaining behind closed doors in anticipation of any easing of COVID-19 restriction measures likely to happen progressively. The group working on resumption plans is being led by the BHA's Brant Dunshea and includes representatives from the Racecourse Association, National Trainers Federation and Racehorse Owners Association....