A 33-month absence: how jump racing was sidelined in Britain during World War II

The complete shutdown of jump racing in Britain for nearly three years during World War II is the closest parallel to the present coronavirus emergency.

There were no National Hunt meetings between March 1942 and January 1945, although they were still permitted in Ireland and Flat racing continued in both countries on a reduced basis throughout the war.

The lengthy suspension, which did little permanent damage to the sport, was the culmination of a series of restrictions that had been introduced since war was declared.