Racing's long road to recovery has begun but need to adapt is greater than ever

Two months ago we would not have guessed that Newmarket, our wonderful headquarters of Flat racing, would this week be staging its first four-day fixture since 2003, with both of the Newmarket Classics saved. I can’t tell you how delighted I am we have been able to resume racing again, albeit sadly without crowds at our courses.

Being the first sport to resume under careful guidelines is no less than our racehorse owners deserve for their patience and investment in this difficult period, and is great news for trainers, stable staff, jockeys, racecourse teams, breeders and all others whose livelihoods depend on the sport.

I’d like to express our thanks in particular to the BHA’s Dr Jerry Hill and our fellow stakeholders on the Resumption Of Racing group, and pay tribute to our racecourse teams up and down the country who have worked tirelessly to maintain racing surfaces and ensure we were in a position to restart.