'The future worries me' - trainers share their hopes and fears for racing

As racing battles to rise above the doom and gloom caused by Covid-19, trainers air their views on the funding crisis that looms for the sport and body blow that crowds might not be admitted to racecourses for up to six months

Michael Bell
For the sports and entertainment businesses, whether they are theatres, football stadiums or racecourses, spectators are a major part of the revenue stream and without it we've got to come up with something. It's up to all parties to get their heads together and work out something, otherwise a lot of racecourses and trainers are going to fall by the wayside, which will have a detrimental effect on jobs involved with the racing industry.

Owen Burrows
It's a worrying time. I cannot see what the difference is between having crowds, socially distanced and wearing masks if they've got to, and people heading into Sainsbury's or Waitrose. It's up to people if they want to go, leave it up to the individual. As Mr Gosden said, we've not got to go to government saying, 'What can we do, can you help us?' but with a plan that says this is doable. Six months without crowds is worrying, it's going to finish racecourses.