Field limits of 12 and senior jockeys only among British resumption plans

THE British Horseracing Authority and its Resumption for Racing Group are gradually releasing details on how British racing could resume.

Last weekend details of a “best case scenario” were sent to trainers, a scenario which involves racing returning in Britain next month which would allow a Guineas meeting to be run in early June and the Derby and Oaks to be run in early July.

In a letter sent to trainers, it was indicated that “a phased approach” was necessary. The letter also said it would be unlikely that the entire blacktype programme will be staged this year but moved to “ensure that the key generation-defining races will be run”.

Yesterday the BHA gave further notice of the practicalities of how racing could return, which include a cap of 12 runners per race and the use of senior riders only.

In another letter sent to trainers, the BHA said: “This [proposal] is based on risk modelling, which indicates that field sizes of 12 or fewer reduces the risk to participants on the track and assists with social distancing requirements at the racecourse.

“We have taken in a similar risk mitigation approach in relation to jockeys. Consequently, only the more senior jockeys will be able to ride under initial plans.”

The BHA acknowledged that the capping of fields to 12 runners will create significant competition for places, particularly for lower grade horses. There will also likely be prize money cuts given no income from gate receipts and betting shops likely to remain closed in the near future.

The BHA have not yet specified a date they hope to return to racing and have said they are considering a number of plans put forward.

One of them involves using racecourses as regional hubs, an idea put forward Arena Racing Company (ARC) chief executive Martin Cruddance on Racing TV’s Luck On Sunday programme last weekend. He said: “We will be in a heavily quarantined first phase and we would need to make sure the movement of people is kept to the absolute minimum.

“I don’t think restrictions at the beginning will be anything other than restrictive. If that is the case what you are looking for is a surface that can take regular racing and also a hotel that can provide 100 to 110 rooms. We have that with Lingfield and Newcastle.”