Yorkshire jockey James Reveley’s coronavirus fears in France

The rider, who hails from North Yorkshire, is frustrated that he cannot be tested for Covid-19 in France where jockeys regularly travel by public transport.

The decision was taken on Monday by the French authorities to stop all racing until April 15 – with the British Horseracing Authority following suit 24 hours later.

“It’s quite depressing actually,” said Reveley who was crowned France’s champion jump jockey in 2016.

“Obviously, with the way the PMU system funds the racing over here, there was no real way it could keep going. We can keep the horses riding out, but we’ll sit and suffer for a month.

“All the PMUs are closed now, and people can’t place bets, so there’s no money going into racing. I’ve no idea how the industry will be supported by Government. I spoke to Guillaume Macaire this morning, and he’s hoping all the racing just gets put back a month and all the horses will get the chances in the bigger races at least.

“If we aren’t riding we aren’t earning, and we can’t look after our families. It’s going to be a dry month.”

Reveley is hoping the big spring races in France are rearranged for a later date. He is a three-time winner of the Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris – the French equivalent of the Cheltenham Gold Cup – which is traditionally staged in May.

“Come April 15 a lot of the prep races for the Grand Steeple won’t have been run – so hopefully they’ll rearrange that race, because the French like to build up to the big meeting in May, and a lot won’t have been able to have prep runs,” added Reveley, whose primary concern is his young family.

“It’s gutting for everyone, but we’re all in the same boat.

“In France we very much rely on riding fees and mainly prize money – so it will be a dry month. I think confining everyone to their house will work, but the big problem is we are not allowed to get tested, so they’re at home not knowing if they have the virus or not.

“I would like to get tested, because I’ve been using public transport a lot recently – I could have the virus and not know it, and I don’t want to give it to the rest of my family.”