RACING in the UK will resume behind closed doors at Newcastle on Monday after the Government gave its permission for competitive sport in Britain to restart from June 1st.

The ‘stage three’ guidance for elite and professional sport, published by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport on Saturday, outlines the facilities and processes that will need to be in place for sport to be safely staged following the coronavirus pandemic.

The guidance has been developed in close consultation with the Deputy Chief Medical Officers of England, Public Health England and medical representatives across sport, including the British Horseracing Authority.

Racing’s rulers have been working towards June 1 as a start date for some time and published a 33-page protocol document last weekend. Newcastle will mark the first British meeting since Wetherby and Taunton raced on March 17th.

In what will be a high-profile return, the 2000 and 1000 Guineas will be run at Newmarket on June 6th and 7th respectively, forming the highlights of a four-day fixture at Headquarters.

WAIT IS OVER

Oliver Dowden, Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, said: “The wait is over. Live British sport will shortly be back on in safe and carefully controlled environments.

“This guidance provides the safe framework for sports to resume competitions behind closed doors. It is now up to individual sports to confirm they can meet these protocols and decide when it’s right for them to restart.

“This is a significant moment for British sport. By working with clinicians every step of the way, we are creating the safest possible environments for everyone involved.”

Newcastle’s opening meeting will be a 10-race card, beginning at 1.00pm, with the last event at 6.15pm. All races will be restricted to 12 runners.

The BHA said in a tweet: “Horseracing is confirmed as one of the first sports to resume, beginning with a fixture behind closed doors @NewcastleRaces on Monday 1 June. It will be great to be back.”

Signalling its delight, the National Trainers Federation tweeted: “Brilliant news for all in British horseracing – our sport returns on Monday @NewcastleRaces. Thanks to everyone who has contributed to this outcome @BHAPressOffice @DCMS. Thanks to all @RacehorseOwners who have stood by trainers.”

SCHEDULE

Both Newcastle and Kempton will race on June 2nd, followed by Kempton and Yarmouth on June 3rd and Newcastle and Newmarket on June 4th.

Lingfield and Newmarket feature on June 5th, with those tracks also in action on June 6th together with Newcastle. Haydock and Lingfield join Newmarket on June 7th, while Chelmsford, Haydock and Lingfield take centre stage on June 8th.

Newmarket’s Friday card will be headlined by the Group 1 Coronation Cup, which has been moved from Epsom, plus the Listed Paradise Stakes and Group 3 Abernant Stakes. Lingfield hosts its Derby and Oaks trials that day.

Royal Ascot remains in its traditional spot in the calendar this year, beginning on June 16th. The Derby and Oaks have been pencilled in for July 4th.

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