HORSE Racing Ireland regards this week’s developments in French racing as a positive sign as the industry here looks to Government for approval to resume racecourse activity.

There has been plenty of encouraging signs in the past seven days. Goffs and Tattersalls both released revised sales plans (see page 4), the British Horseracing Authority has been informing trainers of how it proposes to restart racing there, and yesterday France Galop unveiled a new-look Group 1 schedule ahead of an intended resumption on May 11th (see page 12). Racing in Germany will start on May 4th.

While the authorities here have been careful not to jump the gun on Government approval, some usually reliable sources have told The Irish Field that, behind the scenes, officials are hopeful that Irish racing will be allowed to recommence by mid-May.

Brian Kavanagh, chief executive of Horse Racing Ireland, would not be drawn on a possible date and commented: “We are in regular contact with Government and have advised them that we are racing-ready when it is deemed safe and appropriate to do so. Initially we would race behind closed doors until the Government policy on mass public gatherings changes.”

Asked if the racing programme is currently being overhauled, he said: “Jason [Morris, HRI’s director of racing] and his team are making plans for various different scenarios, but until we have more clarity it is not possible to make a definite plan. Once that clarity comes, HRI will be in a position to move quickly.”

Kavanagh reported that the number of horses in training has declined sharply, compared to this time last year. “As of last Tuesday, there were 3,678 horses returned in training, compared to 4,684 on the same date last year, down 1006 or 21.4%.

“You must bear in mind, however, that many National Hunt horses were taken out of training this year when the season’s cancellation was announced, whereas they were still in training in last year’s figures. Indeed, up to the end of February, before this pandemic arrived to Ireland, our horses in training figure was running at 11% ahead of last year.”

Kavanagh is also vice-chairman of the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities and is working closely with his European counterparts. “We are in daily contact with our colleagues in the UK, France and Germany and are also dealing with each other through the European Pattern Committee.

“While everybody’s priority is to restart domestic racing, we are sharing thinking on protocols, et cetera, and, wherever possible, trying to co-ordinate actions. It is positive to see the French and German resumption plans advancing.”

The HRI board is holding meetings via video call almost on a weekly basis and the next one takes place on Monday.

Closed doors

A midweek Government statement to the effect that licences would not be granted for any event which would attract more than 5,000 people before the end of August appeared to confirm that this year’s Galway Summer Festival would be without racegoers. However, racemeetings are not classified as ‘licensed events’ but Paddy Walsh, CEO of the Association of Irish Racecourses, expects racing will fall into line.

He said: “Strictly speaking, one could argue that licensed events does not include race meetings. However, it is also clear that the issuing of this announcement by the Government is evidence of their current thinking, presumably after considering all the medical advice, that gatherings of large groups of people should not be allowed before next September.

“While our industry, including our racecourses, is anxious to get back racing as soon as possible we will only do so with the full approval of the Government and we will comply with any requirements or restrictions that are deemed necessary to protect the welfare of all those involved. We believe that any return to racing will, initially at least, be on a “behind closed doors basis” similar to what we had before racing ceased in March.”