RACING at Wexford on St. Patrick’s Day, traditionally the best meeting of the year for the racecourse, took place behind closed doors with the fear that this could have been the last race meeting in Ireland for the foreseeable future due to the Covid-19 virus.

The murky conditions did nothing to dispel the gloom, just as news of the BHA’s decision to suspend racing in Britain until May was beginning to filter through but, true to form, the racing world here, took a pragmatic approach to the situation and did their best to remain cheerful, despite their concerns.

“We’re all in the same boat, waiting for the inevitable,” was Bandon trainer James Dullea’s realistic assessment and one that was echoed by many others. “You don’t know that to expect – it’s the uncertainty of it and not knowing how long it’s going to last,” was the way Gordon Elliott’s representative Ian Amond put it.

The first indication that all was not as you’d expect on a normal race day was the absence of any cars parked on both sides of the approach road to the racecourse. Then there was the sign stating that the racecourse was closed for all recreational activities including dog walking during the Covid-19 outbreak.

Plentiful supply

Events parking staff members Paul and Peter Keane were on duty as normal but, with no members of the public allowed in, they weren’t as busy as usual. The jockeys were directed to park up in the otherwise empty bookmakers ring and instructed to throw their racing gear into the jockeys changing rooms and go straight outside or into a designated room.

There was a red stop sign on the weigh room door stating that entry was only for the purpose of jockeys getting changed in and out of their racing gear and to weigh out. After weighing out, they were told to leave the weigh room where a sanitiser and sanitising wipes were in plentiful supply on a table.

The entrance to the building was cordoned off by tape with a man in charge of keeping unauthorised people out. Meanwhile, inside the weigh room Paul Murtagh, registrar of the INHSC, was keeping a close eye on what was going on, explaining: “I’m just trying to keep the minimum distance between people and make sure all the restrictions are observed.

“The riders have been very good and co-operative, just throwing in their gear and moving on. It’s just a case of taking personal responsibility and I’m happy everyone is doing their bit.

“The doctor is happy, as well that everything is above board but it’s a developing situation and we’ll take stock tomorrow and see where we go from there.”

Cheltenham heroines Rachael Blackmore and Maxine O’Sullivan were comparing notes in the lady jockeys’ changing room, with the former commenting: “I just think everyone is doing a great job in keeping racing going.”

Paddy Kennedy offered the reassurance that their male counterparts were towing the line by sitting two metres apart.

Adapting fast

To keep within the stipulated guidelines, trainers were not allowed into the weigh room and simply waited outside for their jockey to hand out the saddle. Just as during the foot and mouth outbreak, everyone quickly adapted to the changes and took them in their stride.

The press were banished to the supporters club and members bar which, in common with the other bars and restaurant and food facilities on site, was boarded up from the outside. However, industry S.Ps were returned from the UK, according to Paddy Orr from SIS.

Racecourse announcer Paul Quish did his best to keep those present informed, with regular reminders to observe social distancing, particularly in and around the parade ring, and also hand washing, adding: “These measures may help to preserve racing here for the foreseeable future.”

There was a strange atmosphere around the deserted enclosures, similar to the sense of foreboding among relatives when you’re told a person only has a matter of hours to live. AIR’s Tony Byrne took a confidential contact number for everyone passing through his turnstile.

Surprisingly, there were still a couple of owners unaware of the sanctions imposed but the Whitegrass Getaway Syndicate from Offaly, owners of the first winner Getaway Gorgeous kept within the guidelines with only one representative.

No buzz

However, Ujumpthelastuwin’s owner Michael Lynch, who had Battleoverdoyen in his point-to-point days, was left feeling disappointed. A farmer and lorry driver by trade, he had made the 180-mile journey from his home in Magherlin in Co. Down with two friends “for a bit of company and craic.” Those two were given a complimentary race card but had to watch the race instead from outside in the car park.

His jockey Jonathan Moore, a native of the newly-bypassed New Ross, didn’t miss the usual atmosphere of cheering racegoers, saying: “I never take notice of the crowd, so it makes no difference to me.”

IHRGB official Michael O’Donoghue took a different slant with his comment: “It’s different – there’s just no buzz around the place.” He explained that, since racing in Ireland has taken place behind closed doors, there have been two teams of officials in place, the other one led by Peter Matthews.

The final word, however, has to go to Forrard Away’s handler Jim Dreaper’s son Tom who put matters into perspective when remarking afterwards: “It’s nice to get but there are other bigger things to be worrying about.”