ON Monday at Naas Racecourse our horses and the people that look after them will return to the racecourse for the first time in 11 weeks.

We have lost 87 fixtures in what has been a very worrying time for many in the industry. However, racing is the first sport in Ireland to resume competitive action and the first industry to be moved to an earlier phase of the Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business, which brings a considerable responsibility.

The racing industry is not alone in feeling the effects of the lockdown and we are all conscious of the bigger picture – the country has been battling a global pandemic which to this point has seen over 1,650 Irish people lose their lives.

The support from Government shows a confidence in our industry and in the HRI Covid-19 Protocols which are designed to ensure a safe environment for all those needed to attend racecourses during upcoming fixtures.

Changed workplace

Like an increasing number of businesses, racing will be returning to a changed workplace. Racing behind closed doors is not racing as we have previously known it and cannot be a long-term solution, but it is a huge step in the right direction.

Racing has natural advantages when it comes to social distancing – it is a non-contact, largely outdoor activity and racecourses are spacious and for the time being at least, have lots of empty rooms. However, these natural advantages need to be matched by sensible and careful behaviour by all racecourse attendees.

The Protocols are there to protect you and to ensure a safe working environment and we need anybody attending a racecourse to carefully absorb the sections relevant to you and to strictly adhere to these Protocols when you get to the racecourse. There will be plenty of assistance available both before and during racemeetings, if you have any queries.

Health screening, temperature testing, face masks and social distancing are the new normal in many areas of society and I have great confidence in the ability of the racing community to execute these measures and to show the way to other sports and businesses.

We are used to regulation and health and safety and we successfully ran 10 racemeetings behind closed doors in March. There is a real opportunity for racing to shine here and I am sure that we will.

Frustration understood

Racing behind closed doors does not solve the concerns or restore the jobs of many in the industry, particularly those people and businesses that rely on racecourse attendances and the frustration of those who would like to go racing, but cannot under the Protocols, is fully understood.

We are particularly grateful to racehorse owners for keeping horses in training during the shutdown and we intend to make up for many of the lost racing opportunities in the coming months. Once our protocols bed in and the national picture in relation to Covid-19 continues to move in the right direction, owners will be our first priority for relaxing the Protocols in tandem with Government advice.

Likewise, the restrictions on persons aged over 70 is a key Government guideline rather than one specifically imposed by the racing authorities and as soon as national guidelines change, we will react in a similar manner.

Covid-19 will have huge long-term implications on our industry and the challenges in the short to medium term are significant. However, it also gives us the opportunity to rethink the way in which we do many things. The one constant will always be the best horse getting to the winning post ahead of the rest of the field.

Irish racing will be centre stage from Monday onwards and, with the co-operation of everybody, I have no doubt that we will showcase our sport in a very positive way.