Racecourses in England will be able to welcome customers through their gates from next Monday after Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced step three of the road map out of lockdown will proceed as planned.
The British Horseracing Authority responded to the Prime Minister’s confirmation by giving the green light for crowds to return from May 17. Racecourses can host up to 4,000 people or up to 50% of their capacity - whichever number is lower.
The first meetings able to race in front of a crowd will be Redcar and Carlisle on Monday afternoon, ahead of fixtures that evening at Leicester and Windsor.
Ffos Las also race on Monday, but the Welsh Government is yet to announce a change to protocols meaning that meetings will continue to be held behind closed doors.
The partial lifting of coronavirus restrictions means the Cazoo Derby meeting will be run in front of paying customers next month and Royal Ascot will also have a crowd. However, with stage four of the road map not due to begin until June 21, it remains unclear whether that showpiece meeting will be able to host 10,000 crowds.
Since lockdowns began last March, spectators on racecourses have been restricted to pilot events at Doncaster and Warwick in September and limited crowds at a handful of meetings in December.
In a joint-statement issued by the BHA, the Racecourse Association and the Horsemen’s Group, it was also confirmed that owners will also be allowed to see their horses and meet with their trainers and jockeys in the parade ring from next week.
Richard Wayman, Chief Operating Officer of the BHA, said: “It is extremely exciting that we are finally able to welcome racegoers back to our racecourses.
“It will allow racing’s many fans to come back to the sport they love after more than a year away. We know there is a huge public demand for families and friends to meet up, outdoors, enjoy great food and drink and the unique social occasion of a race meeting.
“In addition, from next week, racing can once again offer our owners the opportunity to feel much closer to the action on a racecourse by returning to the parade ring. Racing’s leaders very much appreciate the commitment and patience shown by owners over the past year when their attendance and experience at racecourses has been restricted by the pandemic.”
David Armstrong, Chief Executive of the RCA, said: “This next step in the Government’s road map is hugely important milestone in the recovery of British Racing.
“Racecourses are very excited to welcome racegoers back and to be able to offer them a full race day experience whilst extending our provision for owners to whom the sport remain greater in for their continued support.
“Lockdown began almost 14 months ago, and it has been a very challenging journey for the industry and for racecourses in particular through several false starts and aborted pilot events. May 17 marks a key step on the return to normality.”
Charlie Liverton, Chief Executive of the ROA said: “Owners have played a critical role in keeping horse racing going behind closed doors throughout the past 12 months, contributing over £30million a month in training fees alone.
“While the invoices have continued, the ability to go racing and be a part of the race day experience has been greatly hindered as the country, and the wider industry, dealt with the pandemic at large.
“It is therefore a welcome step that come May 17 owners can get a step closer to the action with a return to the parade ring.
“There is more work to be done, and we will continue to work with the BHA and RCA to improve the race day experience for owners, while recognising this milestone in the Government’s roadmap.”
