Final hurdle cleared: owners confirmed for Epsom following successful trials

Saturday's Derby meeting at Epsom will mark the official return of owners to British racecourses following two successful trial meetings at Southwell and Kempton on Wednesday, the BHA has confirmed.

Those at Southwell were the first to experience the new protocols, forged in partnership between the BHA and Racehorse Owners' Association, ensuring the safe return of owners to racecourses for the first time since the sport was halted by the Covid-19 pandemic on March 18.

A BHA statement said: "Following these test events, we can confirm that owners will be able to attend race meetings from Saturday, July 4, in line with the interim measures in place initially to ensure this is done safely and in accordance with government guidelines on the return of sport behind closed doors."

A maximum of two owners per horse will be at Epsom for the Derby and Oaks on SaturdayCredit: Alan Crowhurst

A maximum of two owners per horse will be allowed to attend the behind-closed-doors meetings, with strict health screenings in place as has been the case for racing's participants since the return of the sport in Britain on June 1 in line with government guidance.

Southwell's executive director Mark Clayton said: "It was great to welcome owners back and we got in the region of 50 on the day. Those that came had a great experience and we received some really good feedback.

"We made the best of what is a difficult situation and were able to give the owners the experience they deserve when they come to watch their horses run."

One owner at Southwell was Foxtrot Racing's Dan Abraham, who made the most of the relaxation of on-course videoing rules to make sure syndicate members who weren't able to attend got the best access possible.

Abraham said: "It was great to be back although a little frustrating that we were so limited in the number of owners we could actually get back on course.

"We did live Zoom calls from the racecourse so those not there could hear the trainer speak before the race and see their horse in the parade ring. The ownership experience for those not attending is better than it was pre-lockdown.

"We need to make sure we keep that going and bring the on-course experience back to where it was for owners before all this. We've got to get people racing again and it's vital that the authorities are working to get more owners back on course as soon as possible."

Kempton's all-weather card saw 32 owners welcomed to the so-called 'owners' zone', where they were separated from the trainers' and jockeys' 'green zone' and required to maintain strict social distancing protocols.

Clerk of the course Barney Clifford said: "Operationally, things all seemed to go well from our perspective. Kempton is a big site, particularly when you have people coming from the north and south entrances that are a long way away from each other.

"As it was a trial we were cautious, but as we move forward I'd like to think we would be able to enhance things for our next fixture."

Owners are required to register prior to racing and take an online education module to provide a baseline understanding of Covid-19, social distancing, hand and respiratory hygiene, racecourse protocols and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) requirements.

Dan Abraham of Foxtrot racing ready for video calling at Southwell on WednesdayCredit: Edward Whitaker

Clifford added: "Some people last night did not realise what was expected of them, which is no fault of their own and more to do with the fact they may not have been so computer-literate. It's easy for most of us to go through all the online modules but that is not the case for everyone.

"This is another step in the right direction and it can only get better, but I would say that with all the protocols that are in place it is going to take a bit of getting used to."

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