France introduces mandatory Covid-19 tests for jockeys after spate of positives

Jockeys riding in France will have to undergo regular tests for Covid-19 from next week as authorities seek to maintain racing's reputation for operating safely behind closed doors.

Three high-profile riders have been ruled out of action in recent days following positive tests, with both Christophe Soumillon and Ioritz Mendizabal missing winning rides at the Breeders' Cup and Cristian Demuro also currently self-isolating.

From November 19 all riders will be required to have tested negative within a period of ten days. Any jockey that returns a positive result will subsequently need to undergo blood analysis proving the presence of coronavirus antibodies before being allowed to resume.

In addition all jockeys will need to complete a health questionnaire from November 16.

Soumillon passed his pre-flight tests in France and travelled to Kentucky, only to then register a positive which ruled him out of the rides on both shock Mile winner Order Of Australia and Turf heroine Tarnawa.

Audarya and Ioritz Mendizabal return to the winners' enclosure at Deauville after the Darley Prix Jean RomantCredit: Racing Post/Scott Burton

Mendizabal gave up the chance of a first trip to the Breeders' Cup to maintain his partnership with Audarya after testing positive a week earlier.

Demuro was due to ride in Milan last Sunday and took a voluntary PCR test at home and, although he has remained asymptomatic, has stood himself down.

Proof of a recent Covid negative is not a mandatory requirement for jockeys in Britain or Ireland, although testing before and after a trip abroad is part of the required protocols under the two countries' elite sporting exemptions.

Shane Crosse missed the St Leger winning ride aboard Galileo Chrome after contracting the virus, while two more Irish jockeys, brothers Danny and Mikey Sheehy, also spent time out after testing positive.

In Britain the Professional Jockeys Association's president for Flat racing, PJ McDonald, stood himself down from riding for a day in September when one of his children showed symptoms.

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