DR Jennifer Pugh, the senior medical officer with the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board, says she has no doubt racing can continue to operate safely despite the huge increase in the number of Covid-19 infections being reported nationwide.

The latest round of Government restrictions sees racecourse capacity reduced to 5,000 until at least January 30th. Leopardstown would typically host over 55,000 people during its four-day Christmas Festival, while Limerick entertained 14,000 racegoers at its St Stephen’s Day fixture in 2019. Gowran’s Thyestes fixture on January 27th will also be impacted.

Irish racecourses are at least faring better than in Wales, where all sporting events have gone behind closed doors, while in Scotland crowd numbers have been limited to just 500.

Dr Pugh told The Irish Field there have been no changes to the raceday protocols here. “Let’s hope we are not going behind closed doors again but we will be prepared to ensure racing continues should this arise,” she said. “I have no doubt we can continue to race safely and racecourses continue to do a thorough job in complying with hospitality guidelines.”

Asked if she had any advice for those going racing over Christmas, Dr Pugh said: “In general I would call on all industry participants to step up and lead by example, as we have done before.

“Until we know more about the Omicron variant, and booster vaccines are rolled out to everyone, like many we are in a precarious position, with our priority to keep everyone attending a racemeeting safe so our sport can continue.

“The main messages from me remains:

  • Do not come racing if you have symptoms of cold or flu.
  • Do not come racing if you are a close contact.
  • Face coverings are mandatory at the check in turnstiles, the parade ring, working areas of the stable yard and indoor areas and are strongly advised in all other areas.
  • Vaccination certificates are required for anyone wishing to avail of indoor dining.
  • Contact tracing via IHRB app/ website for all industry participants, including all owners.
  • “Weighroom changes for the jockeys will be in place to allow for social distancing in overflow facilities. Thank you to the racecourses for accommodating changes at the last minute.”

    Tickets honoured

    Leopardstown will be able to accommodate all racegoers who have purchased tickets for their Christmas Festival, despite the lower capacity.

    A combination of cancellations and the “generous cooperation” of sponsors and stakeholders mean that no purchased tickets need to be cancelled.

    Leopardstown CEO Tim Husbands said: “We have been working with our commercial partners and stakeholders, and with their generous co-operation have regained enough capacity to allow us facilitate all those who purchased on public sale their tickets for the Leopardstown Christmas Festival.

    “Unfortunately, there will be no additional tickets available to purchase for any day and admission without a ticket on the day of racing cannot be accommodated.”

    Just 100 tickets for Limerick’s St Stephen’s Day meeting were still available at 10am on December 23rd. A spokesperson said: “We hope to be able to accommodate walk-ups on the other three days but St Stephen’s Day will be ticket only, with none available on the day.”

    Down Royal’s December 26th fixture has been sold out for weeks.