© Photo Healy Racing
British racing is all set to resume behind closed doors on Monday after the government gave its permission for competitive sports to begin again on June 1.
The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has been working towards a June 1 return for several weeks but finally got the go ahead today.
The first meeting will take place on the Tapeta surface at Newcastle Racecourse on Monday with a ten race card under strict social distancing protocols.
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. pic.twitter.com/XUdelkZaum— BHA Press Office (@BHAPressOffice) May 30, 2020
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. pic.twitter.com/XUdelkZaum
Oliver Dowden, the British Minister for 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.”
Irish horse racing is set to resume seven days later on June 8.
