Face masks and empty paddocks: how racing returned from coronavirus in Germany

Hanover racecourse in the north of Germany is far from being one of Europe's most famous tracks but on Thursday it captured the attention of the racing world.

While many European racing bodies are cautiously planning how the sport can resume and recover from the shutdown following the coronavirus, it was Deutscher Galopp who made the first step towards restoring some form of normality.

In the blazing sun but with empty stands, racing staff returned to day-to-day life on the racecourse while wearing face masks and maintaining a distance from each other whenever possible. Many of the jockeys even had colour-coded masks to match their hat and silks.

Horses circle the parade ring, but nobody is watching. The runners enjoy a series of cracking finishes across the day but there is no sound to roar them home. The sport had all the sparkle we have been craving for – and it delivered – but unfortunately racing's jovial atmosphere will remain on pause.

Jockeys keep on facemasks, goggles and helmets while grooms keep their mouths covered for the post-race photo. The two are almost awkwardly distanced with the winning horse in the middle as it is taken. The winning picture will probably not be framed on many mantelpieces.

The interview follows next with connections and presenter standing well clear by a few metres with just a microphone on an extended stick bouncing back between the two. This is how things will have to be for now.

Considering the huge pressure on Germany's first meeting since March 8, the show resumed with no serious hiccups. A 15 minute delay from racetime was the only inconvenience on an afternoon that reminded us of what we had been missing – and how much we want the sport to return to other jurisdictions. A first step in the right direction.

Colt strikes late for Majestic moment

It was by no means a showstopping card but there was plenty of quality with three Listed races on offer. The Grand Hannoversch Sprint will be remembered as the first Listed race staged after the crisis and it went to the Irish-bred Majestic Colt.

Trained by Andreas Wohler, the five-year-old son of Clodovil burst from the pack in the final stages to capture victory in the final few yards.

Hanover results

More success came for Irish-born horses, as Jin Jin, a daughter of Canford Cliffs, landed the mares' Listed mile while Stex took the Listed 1m2f race for fillies and mares.

Meanwhile, strict restrictions were relaxed across Germany on Thursday with the opening of shops coinciding with the return of horseracing. It was also confirmed the country's top-tier football division, the Bundesliga, would resume on May 16.

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