UK racing is facing a media and political backlash for its decision to host the 2020 Cheltenham Festival in early March, as COVID-19 cases began to spread across the country. At Monday’s ‘UK Coronavirus Briefing’, Angela McLean – the government’s deputy Chief Medical Advisor – stated that an inquiry should be held post-lockdown on the ‘epidemiological consequences’ of UK sports maintaining …
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A £22 million ‘hardship fund’ has been launched by The Horserace Betting Levy Board (Levy Board) and the Racing Foundation supporting horseracing stakeholders impacted by the COVID-19 crisis. The newly reformed Levy Board acts as a non-departmental public body, in charge of collecting and organising the finances of UK racing through betting taxes, fundraising and further on-course activities. Its counterpart the …
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France Galop, the governing body of French horseracing, is awaiting government approval to restart its racing schedule behind closed doors. Updating the media, France Galop seeks to resume its track meetings in May following the enforced suspension of all French professional sports on 17 March, complying with the government’s national lockdown orders. This weekend, President Emmanuel Macron confirmed that France’s …
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Norway’s government has confirmed that state-owned racing operator Rikstoto will continue to function as an independent entity. Last November, the Norwegian government ordered the Ministry of Culture to undertake a review of state-owned gambling assets, assessing whether its larger Norsk Tipping lottery and wagering franchise should absorb Rikstoto services. The Ministry’s review further evaluated whether Rikstoto’s state racing monopoly and …
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The Racing Post has confirmed that it has temporarily suspended the print publication of its daily racing newspaper as of this Thursday (26 March). Racing Post management explained that it is adjusting its business to racing and sports disruptions caused by the ongoing global COVID-19 crisis. “Unfortunately, with racing in Britain and Ireland halted, betting shops closed, and our governments …
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Updating stakeholders, ITV Racing has confirmed that it has secured a last minute deal which will see it broadcast this Saturday’s Irish horse-racing event in Thurles. The announcement follows on from news that Horseracing Ireland (HRI) would continue its race fixtures behind closed doors for the foreseeable future amidst the coronavirus pandemic. The company will broadcast five races on ITV4 with the show being presented by Ed Chamberlin alongside …
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Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) has confirmed that race meetings will go ahead, but will be ‘held in strict adherence to Government guidelines regarding COVID-19’. The decision, which is reported to be motivated by employment and incomes for those across the sector, will see all fixtures staged without spectators. Nicky Hartery, Chairman of Horse Racing Ireland, said: “These are unprecedented and sombre …
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Issuing a statement, the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has confirmed that all British horseracing will be suspended until the end of April. The BHA stated that after taking into account the government’s recent advice regarding the growing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the only option was to suspend all racing in order to ensure that safety measures are secured. Nick Rust, Chief …
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Seeking to deliver the best Cheltenham 2020 insights and engagement for punters, next week the Betfair Exchange will broadcast ‘Racing Post Live’ across all its digital platforms. Racing Post Live is a new interactive show developed by the rebranded Spotlight Sports Group, covering all major horseracing festivals throughout the calendar year. Hosted exclusively on the Betfair platforms, the show will see …
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MasionBet has announced Triple Group One winning jockey, Hayley Turner OBE, will be the brand’s newest racing ambassador. Turner has over 1,500 flat race wins and is considered one of the most successful UK female jockeys of all time. Hayley Turner OBE stated: “I’m thrilled to be sponsored by MansionBet for the upcoming season and hopefully, I will be riding …
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