Racing professionals glad to keep show on the road Irish racing professionals welcomed the decision to put racing behind closed doors as Dundalk kept the show on the road on Friday evening. The Polytrack at County Louth hosted an eight-race card under the lights but not in front of the public as a restricted number of industry participants and officials complied with the announcement a little over 24 hours ago by An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar. A ban was placed on outdoor events involving crowds of 500 or more, initially until March 29, as part of special measures in response to the coronavirus outbreak. Trainer Ado McGuinness is a regular at Dundalk and applauded the move. The Lusk handler said, “Owners are getting to see their horse run. OK, it’s not the same as a normal race meeting, but we’re out and we’re working and I’m glad that we are. "I don't think they have handled it well in England. I think they are going to be a week or more behind us and it could be bedlam there in three weeks’ time. “I would be concerned about people returning from Cheltenham but hopefully we can curtail it. “The government may have to take more action soon.To me if they open the pubs on St Patrick’s Day then they might as well have the parades as the pubs are going to be full. “It’s a huge concern especially on elderly people and those with health problems. The world has never experienced anything like this before and we just hope there will be an end to it. “Hopefully we’ll be okay here in a few weeks." Richard O’Brien, who trains near Ballingarry in County Limerick, said: “It’s a little bit surreal here but as Jurgen Klopp said it is the decision of experts and beyond my remit. It’s great that they are running it and a great effort by everyone.” Classic winning jockey Wayne Lordan said, “At least we are racing and people are working and making some money. The show must go on." Dundalk chief executive Jim Martin said: “It’s interesting times, but I think it’s important for the industry that racing continues. The government message at the moment is to keep things ticking over and we are happy to play our part. “There are very strict health precautions in place.The meeting is not open to the public and everyone entering — stable staff, jockeys, trainers, owners, officials and the media — are all being strictly monitored. “It is important that it works. “The whole racecourse gets deep cleaned every week and there are plenty of sanitisers in all the facilities. Hopefully all goes well.”
