CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL is set to bar owners from attending in the latest blow to racing in this country.
Already it looks certain fans will not be allowed to go to Jump racing’s biggest meet due to national restrictions brought on by coronavirus.
Last year, some 250,000 punters piled in to bet, drink and have a good time before the country was plunged into lockdown.
But the Daily Mail claim just trainers and stable staff face being able to go into the grounds next month.
It is a bleak development – but elsewhere in the world racing has never been wilder.
And most of the carnage has come Down Under, where racing bosses are preparing to welcome back punters in big numbers.
Up to 15,000 people will be allowed to attend Saturday’s G1 CF Orr Stakes at Melbourne Racing Club.
Crowds returned for good in December, in numbers of up to 5,000.
But it was the month before during the Melbourne Cup that one rowdy group of racegoers caused carnage with a poor TV reporter.
Lee Steele was speaking to the camera from Ascot racecourse in Perth when one man dropped his trousers and mooned her.
Cheltenham Festival is set to be a quiet affair with no fans and even owners possibly being barred
Steele was totally oblivious and the camera operator quickly tried to zoom in to hide what was going on.
But it was too late and the man’s bare bottom was shown to all those watching at home.
That came after a woman – ignoring all social distancing – grabbed Steele and licked her ear.
Then, in December, a randy racegoer at Royal Randwick racecourse in the suburbs of Sydney gave jockeys an absolute eyeful.
TV cameras inadvertently caught the woman grab her top and jiggle her breasts to those coming past on their rides.
The clip was posted on social media and jockey Tommy Berry, who was riding on the day, commented on the video.
He posted: “Think we saw a bit more than that.”
Things have been no less crazy in New Zealand.
Just this weekend we saw two naked racegoers caught on camera.
And one idiotic track invader risked death by running into the middle of a race with horses charging at him at close to 40mph.
Viewers were stunned when footage from Trentham racecourse showed two nudists run near the course.
Commentators were attempting to go through the field for the next race but couldn’t help but laugh when the runners were spotted.
That came on the same day a punter picked up a worldwide ban for running into a race.
The 24-year-old man was arrested and charged with criminal nuisance for his stunt.
FREE BETS GET OVER £2,000 IN SIGN UP OFFERS HERE
Commercial content notice: Taking one of the bookmaker offers featured in this article may result in a payment to SE. 18+. T&Cs apply. Begambleaware.org
Remember to gamble responsibly
A responsible gambler is someone who:
- Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
- Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
- Never chase their losses
- Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed
- Gamcare – www.gamcare.org.uk
- Gamble Aware – www.begambleaware.org
