Empty stands will be just one problem for racecourses facing worrying futures

There were two things we learned last week we should really have known already. Firstly, those racing participants who compete in Group 1 races over the coming weeks will find it is tough at the top. Secondly, for the racecourses staging those contests, and indeed all in the sector, it is going to be tough full stop.

It was announced by British racing's members' committee that thanks to increased Levy Board contributions it will be possible to maintain minimum prize-money levels at around 80 per cent of their old values for the first ten weeks of the resumption. In these extraordinary times, that seems like a good outcome.

Also to be welcomed is the sport's collective decision to place a greater financial focus on the middle and grassroots by actually increasing minimum prize-money levels for Class 5 and 6 contests. Accordingly, that means hits must be taken elsewhere, including towards the peak of the pyramid, with Group 1 events for three-year-olds and upwards now required to be run for at least £100,000, down from £200,000. That is a 50 per cent cut. For many Group 1 features it would be a surprise if purses are not axed by more than that.