SPORT has been given the green light to resume from Monday – and racing will be the first out of the gate with a bumper 10-race card at Newcastle.
The action will be behind closed doors for the foreseeable future – but the news will come as a huge relief to the racing industry.
The ‘stage three’ guidance for elite and professional sport, published by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport on Saturday, outlines the facilities and processes that will need to be in place for sport to be safely staged amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The guidance has been developed in close consultation with the Deputy Chief Medical Officers of England, Public Health England and medical representatives across sport, including the British Horseracing Authority.
Racing’s chiefs have been working towards June 1 as a start date for some time and published a 33-page protocol document last weekend.
And after weeks of waiting, they will be off and running at a British racecourse for the first time since March 17.
Oliver Dowden, Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, said: “The wait is over. Live British sport will shortly be back on in safe and carefully controlled environments.
“This guidance provides the safe framework for sports to resume competitions behind closed doors. It is now up to individual sports to confirm they can meet these protocols and decide when it’s right for them to restart.
“This is a significant moment for British sport. By working with clinicians every step of the way, we are creating the safest possible environments for everyone involved.”
The first race back will be at 1pm on Monday afternoon, while racing fans have the 2000 and 1000 Guineas to look forward to next weekend.
The BHA said in a tweet: “Horseracing is confirmed as one of the first sports to resume, beginning with a fixture behind closed doors @NewcastleRaces on Monday 1 June. It will be great to be back.”
Signalling its delight, the National Trainers Federation tweeted: “Brilliant news for all in British horseracing – our sport returns on Monday @NewcastleRaces.
“Thanks to everyone who has contributed to this outcome @BHAPressOffice @DCMS. Thanks to all @RacehorseOwners who have stood by trainers.”
