Key industry figures express relief as racing can continue despite lockdown

Racecourses, professionals and key industry figures expressed relief on Sunday at racing being able to continue to operate behind closed doors during the forthcoming coronavirus lockdown in England, and praised the efforts put in by the sport since resuming on June 1.

However, while keen to stress the positives of racing not being stopped, as it had been during the spring lockdown, concerns were expressed at the prospect of further damage to racing’s finances and the possibility of owners being barred from attending.

The leaders of Britain’s main racecourse organisations – the Jockey Club (JC) and Arena Racing Company (Arc) – welcomed the decision not to stop elite sport and vowed to work closely with the betting industry to protect income for the sport.

Nevin Truesdale, JC chief executive, said: “It‘s vital and hugely welcome news that our sport can continue behind closed doors during the national lockdown. We thank the culture secretary [Oliver Dowden] for making this clear very quickly after the prime minister’s main announcement.

“That decision is testament to our whole industry coming together to ensure Covid-19 protocols have been working so well and we fully support the BHA’s statement in that regard.

“Sadly, there is a financial downside. The lockdown will have a further multi-million pound negative impact on our industry, predominantly through lost media revenues and levy with betting shops closed nationwide. We’ll be doing what we can with our partners in the betting industry to mitigate this.”

Truesdale’s views were echoed by Arc chief executive Martin Cruddace, who pinpointed the importance of adhering to Covid-19 safety standards in helping racing continue.

Martin Cruddace: 'If we work together with the betting industry we can get through to the end of the year'Credit: Edward Whitaker

“It has to be very positive that not only are we seen as an elite sport that can continue but also that since June our protocols have been operating with near perfection,” he said. “We’re reaping the rewards of that and it’s an industry-led effort.

"If we work together with the betting industry we can get through to the end of the year. When all other income lines are decimated, our industry is only operating because of the contributions of the betting industry.”

The ability of owners to attend fixtures during the lockdown in England, which is due to come into effect on Thursday and last until at least December 2, is uncertain. Nick Rust, the BHA chief executive, will seek clarification from government in the coming days.

“Fundamentally, on first assessment last night our only query outstanding was around the participation of owners,” Rust told Racing TV’s Luck On Sunday.

“Obviously, we’d love them to keep coming but there have been some tough restrictions reimposed on hospitality, so there are no guarantees on that.

“We’re going to fight hard for that, but the main thing is to make sure we comply and keep racing going for the next month. We made the case to bring back owners on the basis they were an essential part of the activity but the sentiments are very much around essential work, so we’ll have to view it in that context.”

Nick Rust: will seek clarification from government on owners attending meetingsCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Owners were initially unable to attend racecourses when the sport restarted in June but have been permitted at tracks since July 4.

A reversal of that policy due to the new restrictions would be “sad”, according to champion jumps trainer Nicky Henderson, who added that racing continuing was “essential”.

He said: “It was vital owners could go and enjoy it again and I think it's important to say what a great job the racecourses have done to make it such a pleasant experience.

"I fully understand that they might not be able to go, and that's sad, but we've got to be grateful that we're being allowed to continue racing, which is essential.

“I think racing and the BHA have done a fine job with the organisation and protocols. It's televised and that's sadly all we've got, but it's a million times better than nothing."

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