The British Racing Association has outlined the steps it will take to resume horseracing in the UK.
The British Horseracing Association (BHA) has published a provisional racing schedule ahead of the resumption of horseracing in the UK.
According to the schedule, the first horseracing event since the shut-down of the sport is set to take place over the weekend of 23-24 May 2020.
In the UK, horseracing has been suspended since 18 March, due to health concerns caused by the coronavirus pandemic. Last month, the BHA said it hoped to resume racing in May, depending on the UK government’s measures.
The BHA provisional schedule
The BHA and its Flat Pattern Committee worked with racecourses in recent week to decide the best way to resume racing activities when it is safe to do so and has now released a provisional racing schedule.
According to the BHA’s announcement, the racing schedule prioritizes the Classics and other “flagship races for horses most likely to provide a future fundamental role on behalf of the breed.”
In the announcement, the BHA said: “Under our best-case scenario planning, and subject to advice from public health authorities, the aim is to rescue a number of lost Pattern and Listed events from the early part of the spring and stage them during the second half of May and early June if possible.
“Our ambition would be to stage the Flat Pattern and Listed races … should the timeline and circumstances of recommencement allow. Any other Pattern or Listed races that had previously been scheduled to take place before the end of May will be abandoned and not rescheduled.”
Returning races
According to the schedule, racing is set to resume on the weekend of 23-24 May, with several races scheduled to take place. The schedule lists several events including Pavilion, Nell Gwyn, Craven, Greenham, Fred Darling, Conqueror, Pinnacle, Sagaro, Aston Park, Paradise and Brigadier Gerard.
On the weekend of 30-31 May, the BHA expects Palace House, Yorkshire Cup, Musidora, Spring Trophy, Middleton and Cecil Frail to run.
The schedule also proposes to run move forward with the 2000 Guineas, 1000 Guineas, Coronation Cup, Pretty Polly, Newmarket and the Bronte Cup on the first weekend of June.
While the BHA hopes to resume some racing events, the Association warned that the races may not take place at their traditional venues and may be housed at alternative venues. The BHA also said that racing may be restricted to British-trained runner only at least until 30 May.
