Ebor Festival to run behind closed doors as lockdown tightens

The announcement came immediately after Boris Johnson announced a tightening of the lockdown to suppress Covid-19.

It also saw the PM say spectators will now be forbidden from attending a number of trial events, including today’s finale to the Glorious Goodwood meeting, to test the viability of spectators returning to sporting fixtures.

York chief executive William Derby was en route to the Sussex track when the Prime Minister made his announcement at a 10 Downing Street press conference.

Five racedays were staged on the Knavesmire in July and the course were pleased with both the health protocols – and the public heeding warnings to stay away from York.

Officials hope this will continue next month when many of the world’s top Flat horses, like Enable, Love, Gjhaiyyath and Battaash, are due to line up at the Welcome to Yorkshire-sponsored festival.

“Whilst this is clearly a disappointing decision for racing supporters and many in our home city, it is right that the public health is kept as a priority,” said Derby.

“For the owners of the star horses set to run, a more detailed update will follow.

“However they remain most welcome in line with the current protocols for participants in the sport.”

Customers who booked direct with York Racecourse are entitled to a full refund, but the course hope they will transfer existing bookings to the 2021 meeting.

Not only does it mean a price freeze, says Derby, but the revenue from pre-paid tickets will help to support the course during such a difficult year when the whole sport – and country – has been under such strain.

Meanwhile the Racecourse Association and Goodwood expressed frustration at the timing of the PM’s announcement as 5,000 spectators prepared to attend today’s Stewards Cup meeting.

RCA chief executive David Armstrong said: “We will continue to work closely with Government to plan future pilot events to welcome back crowds subject to the latest public health advice.”

However, Adam Waterworth, managing director of sport at the Goodwood Estate, admitted to being “gutted” by the Government’s decision., although he hopes a pilot event for the return of crowds on a racecourse will take place sooner rather than later.

He added: “I think it will be done on a certain date and whoever happens to be the first meeting and is able to put a crowd together safely should be the first to go. It is not about the kudos of the racecourse – it is about making progress as quickly as we can, from my point of view.

“I would say get the trial done as soon as possible and learn the lessons. The whole point was about getting the feedback and getting the guidelines in place for the coming weeks so that sport in general, and in our case horseracing, can try to get some movement to get some crowds back.”