BHA warning over return of fans to racing amid coronavirus pandemic

It follows a direct appeal by Dr Jerry Hill, the British Horseracing Authority’s chief medical adviser, following calls for more owners – and spectators – to be admitted to racecourses.

A planned ‘test’ event at Goodwood last Saturday, where 5,000 racegoers would have been admitted to the final day of its five-day festival, was called off by the Government with just 24 hours notice.

This followed a spike in cases across country and scuppered plans by York to permit some paying members of the public to this month’s Ebor Festival.

In other developments, leading dual purpose trainer Gary Moore was fined £750 by the BHA for failing to fully comply with lockdown protocols at Goodwood.

Yet, as well as appealing to owners to follow procedures on racecourses and remain in designated zones, Dr Hill has also explained why the restrictions need to remain in place at a time when the Government is trying to open up other sectors of the economy.

Some of the impatience, it is suggested, is because racing was the first sport to resume on June 1 following the lockdown. Dr Hill’s work has been fundamental to enabling other sports to do likewise.

Yet he says racing – like the rest of the country – must now bide its time. “This is because social distancing cannot be guaranteed when handling horses at a race-day and helps manages the risk of infection spreading through close contact,” he explained.

“And because a race meeting – even behind closed doors – can see hundreds of people present from many different parts of the country.

“Taken together, these are some of the reasons why government guidelines for sport are different from those for your local pub.

“Moreover, with public health officials across Britain now concerned about a rise in Covid-19 cases, and the UK Government already considering re-imposing some restrictions to manage case numbers and avoid a potential ‘second wave’, it is vital that we maintain our tight controls.

“We do not want to be in a position which compromises our chances of reintroducing spectators as soon as it is safe to do so, or worse, requires us to take steps backwards towards the restrictions of owners attending or a further suspension of racing.”

A further Government announcement on ‘test’ events is expected at the end of next week – but Ministers are coming under increasing political pressure to prioritise the reopening of schools in early September.

In other news, Ed Walker remains convinced there are “big days” ahead for English King despite a second consecutive defeat for the Lingfield Derby Trial winner.

Having finished fifth in the Investec Derby, English King was short of room at a crucial stage when fourth to Mogul in the Gordon Stakes at Goodwood last week.

But Walker has not lost any faith in the Bjorn Nielsen-owned colt, and connections will choose between the Grand Prix de Paris and next month’s St Leger at Doncaster as the next target for the son of Camelot.

“I was kicking myself. I was hell bent on getting him on a flat track after Epsom and I was very keen to go to York (for the Great Voltigeur) and I changed my mind when the ground looked like being ideal for him at Goodwood,” said Walker. “It was a combination of frustrations more than anything else, but he’s come out of it great.

“Our plan was the Gordon and then either the Grand Prix de Paris or the St Leger. We’re keeping both options open.

“I’ve not lost any faith in him at all. There will be big days to come.”

Meanwhile, Martyn Meade is planning to head straight to next month’s Middle Park Stakes with his exciting juvenile Method.

The Mehmas colt comfortably saw off Richard Fahey’s Malton-trained high-class juvenile filly Fev Rover when making an impressive racecourse debut at Doncaster in June before winning at Newbury last month.

Connections elected to bypass last week’s Richmond Stakes at Goodwood, and Meade is currently in favour of keeping his powder dry for the Middle Park at Newmarket on September 26.

Prize money for this year’s Qipco British Champions Day on October 17 has been cut to £2.5m due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The fixture, which celebrates its 10th anniversary, will still be the richest raceday in Britain, but the headline Champion Stakes will be worth £750,000 having been run for £1.3m in 2019.