The Horserace Betting Levy Board (HBLB) is due to fund nine additional racing fixtures across June and July, in recognition of the ‘high level of immediate demand to run’. With Scotland and Wales resuming racing later this month, the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has revised its current racing programme to include race meetings at Scottish and Welsh courses. Tom Byrne, …
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Irish racing gets green light to resume in June
The Irish government has given the green light for horse racing to resume behind closed doors, with fixtures able to resume from 8 June. In accordance with government guidelines, only key personnel necessary to run the fixture will be permitted to be on-site, and will be subject to a health survey and thermal temperature screening on entry. Brian Kavanagh, Chief …
Read More »PM casts doubt over imminent resumption for professional sport
An imminent return of professional sport remains unclear as Prime Minister Boris Johnson unveiled his staged plan to ease the coronavirus lockdown restrictions. Addressing the four nations of the UK last night, Johnson revealed a three-part strategy to kickstart the economy and reopen society. However, no mention to professional sports was made, casting uncertainty over when the sporting calendar will …
Read More »BHA cautious on racing resumption date amid mid-May rumours
Richard Wayman, Chief Operating Officer of the British Horseracing Authority (BHA), has emphasised that it will take ‘every possible step’ to ensure a safe return for racing before naming a date for resumption. The sport has been suspended since 17 March, however there has been speculation that the sport could restart on 15 May. Speaking to Sky Sports Racing, Wayman …
Read More »Racing to resume at ParisLongchamp after receiving police approval
Horse racing in France is due to resume behind closed doors on Monday after gaining ‘ strong support from the ministers in charge of racing’. Police have given the green light for the sport to resume at Paris Longchamp on Monday, after being suspended since 17 March due to the ongoing pandemic. France Galop president Edouard de Rothschild tweeted: “We …
Read More »Nick Rust: British racing could resume within a week of getting the green light from the government
Chief Executive of the British Horseracing Authority (BHA), Nick Rust, has revealed that racing could resume within a week of being given the green light from the government. No date has yet been confirmed for the return to racing, with the sport being on hold since 17 March. The BHA has been working to develop plans to resume the sport …
Read More »Matt Hancock publicly defends Cheltenham Festival decision
Health Secretary Matt Hancock has publicly defended the decision to allow Cheltenham Festival to take place, reiterating that the government ‘took the right measures at the right time’. Speaking on a phone-in on LBC Radio, Hancock was asked by a Cheltenham resident whether the festival should have taken place and whether the government would be committing to a future inquiry …
Read More »BHA backs Nick Rust amid concerns over leadership
The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has reaffirmed its ‘full and unequivocal support’ for CEO Nick Rust after a number of concerns over his leadership from trainers were reported in a Sunday Telegraph article. Back in January, Rust confirmed that he would be stepping down from the BHA after holding the position of CEO for six years. However, the Sunday Telegraph reported …
Read More »BHA extends racing suspension beyond end of April
The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has confirmed that the suspension of racing will be extended, with a date for resumption yet to be decided. Racing was initially suspended on March 18 following the government’s decision to introduce the current lockdown measures which seek to protect essential emergency services and the health and safety of the public. But while a new …
Read More »British racing could face £193m set back due to COVID-19 suspension
British racing has predicted that it could face revenue losses of £193 million if the sport is shut down until July, a letter from the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has revealed. As reported in the Racing Post, a letter from the BHA to trainers confirmed that the sporting authority has sought assistance as part of an “industry-wide lobbying effort that …
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