Jockeys will wear masks if racing resumes behind closed doors on 1 June, according to British Horseracing Authority (BHA) protocols.

The governing body and regulator for horseracing has published its technical guidelines for participants and staff to allow racing to resume safely behind closed doors.

The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has worked with racecourses and representatives of trainers, jockeys and staff to adapt a normal race meeting, provide medical screening for all attendees in advance and maintain social distancing.

Reduction in prize money inevitable with no crowds on racecourses and betting shops closed

Levy Board contributions allow, on average, minimum prize money levels to remain at just over 80% of the previously permitted minimum levels

Racing’s cross-industry Members Committee agrees focus should be on safeguarding prize money at the mid/lower echelons of the racing pyramid

Initial values cover 10-week period from the resumption of racing and remain under review

Following the UK government publishing a provisional timetable for the return of professional sport on Monday, the racing industry’s leaders continue to plan for a resumption of racing from 1 June.

Senior executives from British horseracing have welcomed the publication of a timeline for the potential resumption of sporting events by the UK government today. In its document, Our Plan to Rebuild, …

ISSUED ON BEHALF OF BRITISH HORSERACING'S EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Senior executives from British horseracing have welcomed the publication of a timeline for the potential resumption of sporting events by the UK government today.

MAY 1st

Planning is underway to ensure we are ready to resume racing at the earliest appropriate opportunity. This includes the development of a provisional fixture list to help trainers prepare for resumption, …

The final two weekends in May have been earmarked for some big races if British racing is given the go-ahead to resume.

Read the latest news from the racecourse news pages

In response to an article in today's Sunday Telegraph, the Board of the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) issued the following statement:

Races with a maximum of 12 runners ridden by senior jockeys in an extended Flat racing season are planned when the sport returns in Great Britain.

With what is proving to be quite a testing and tricky time for us all, we want to shake away the doom and gloom with some exciting racing trips and packages to look forward to come 2021 when things return back to normal…

Let’s start from the beginning

Following the UK Government’s publication of a provisional timeline for the return of sport, Racing’s industry leaders are now planning for racing to resume behind closed doors on 1 June.

The exact timetable for the resumption of racing will remain subject to agreement from government and an assessment by public health officials of the risks posed by the virus at that time.

If a return to action is approved by the government, the first meeting would be held on 1 June.

The Racing League aims to trial new rules where a jockey carries a whip but only uses it for safety and correction purposes, and not for encouragement as is commonplace in most races.

Government relations On Sunday 10 May, the UK Government will outline the next phase of its response to the coronavirus pandemic, which may include changes to its current social distancing restrictions … More

Thirteen British meetings are being planned to take place behind closed doors in the first week after horse racing is given the go-ahead to resume.

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