Britain’s Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden has defended his decision to allow the four-day Cheltenham Festival days before racing was shut down because of the coronavirus crisis. Around 250,000 people attended last month’s famous jumps meeting with additional hygiene measures in place. Appearing on Good Morning Britain, Dowden was accused by… Read More »
Two Arena Racing Company tracks could be at the forefront of a return to racing in Britain when the time comes for the sport to resume following its suspension because of the coronavirus pandemic. Any resumption will be behind closed doors on the Flat, but only when government advice permits…. Read More »
Oju Chosan has extended his own record-breaking feats with a fifth consecutive win in the Japan’s rich steeplechase, the Nakayama Grand Jump. His fourth win a year ago gave him the outright record after he was tied on three with Australian horse Karasi who won from 2005 to 2007. 20162017201820192020… Read More »
A Guineas meeting in early June and the Derby and Oaks run in early July feature in the British Horseracing Authority’s best-case scenario when racing resumes. With racing suspended indefinitely because of the coronavirus pandemic, the season’s first four Classics have been delayed from their usual slots in the calendar…. Read More »
Ten races will be run and won at Sha Tin on Sunday, where most eyes will be on the opener, the Griffin, where we’ll see six newcomers having their debut. Race One: 1 Hurricane Fighter Race Two: 7 Full Power Race Three: 1 Jade Fortune Race Four: 14 Foodie Princess… Read More »
Jockey Jamie Spencer is waiting to hear whether he will require surgery on a hip fracture sustained in a trackwork fall. Spencer was riding out for trainer David Simcock in Newmarket when his mount slipped and the jockey came off. While racing has shut down in Britain, training continues so… Read More »
British trainer Mark Johnston has revealed he is in isolation after contracting coronavirus. Johnston said he began isolating last week and a test on Wednesday confirmed he had COVID-19. “I didn’t really want any publicity because I didn’t want to make a meal of it,” Johsnton told horseracingplanet.com. “I’ve been… Read More »
British Horseracing Authority chief executive Nick Rust has reiterated racing will be ready to resume as soon as it is safe and has defended the Cheltenham Festival. Racing has been shut down in Britain since March 17, a few days after the four-day Cheltenham Festival attended by 250,000 people. “As… Read More »
Racing will remain on hold beyond the end of April after the British Horseracing Authority extended its suspension on meetings in Britain. Action ceased on March 18 because of the coronavirus pandemic, with the BHA announcing a halt to all fixtures until at least May 1. The government subsequently introduced… Read More »
France Galop remains hopeful of resuming racing behind closed doors in May. French racing was staged without spectators last month before France Galop announced a suspension of meetings between March 17 and April 15 due to the coronavirus pandemic. While French President Emmanuel Macron has extended the country’s lockdown until… Read More »
Nine races will be run and won at Happy Valley this Wednesday night, and while there are no feature races, the depth is pretty good. Race One: 1 Galaxy Racer Race Two: 10 Compassion Spirit Race Three: 2 Triumphant Horse Race Four: 1 Happy Good Guys Race Five: 9 Smart… Read More »
The Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia is withholding Maximum Security’s winning prize money for the $20 million Saudi Cup, after trainer Jason Servis was indicted on federal charges in the United States. The trainer is one of 27 people indicted by the District Attorney for the Southern District of New… Read More »
Daring Tact has extended her unbeaten record to three from three with victory in the Oka Sho, the Japanese 1000 Guineas, at Hanshin. Trained by Haruki Sugiyama, Daring Tact is a daughter of 2014 Japan Cup winner Epiphaneia. The filly produced produced an extraordinary burst of speed from back in… Read More »
Eleven races will be run and won at Sha Tin on Sunday, where most eyes will be on the opener, the Griffin, where we’ll see six newcomers having their debut. Race One: 4 Smiling Face Race Two: 1 Bella Baby Race Three: 3 Victorious Seeker Race Four: 2 Good View… Read More »
Racing in Ireland will remain on hold following the Irish government’s extension of lockdown restrictions. Last month, all sporting events in Ireland were cancelled until at least April 19 because of the coronavirus outbreak, including those behind closed doors. A number of race meetings had taken place without spectators in… Read More »
A drive-in coronavirus testing centre is to open at Haydock racecourse as part of the British government’s drive to increase testing for thousands of National Health Service workers. The site is part of a network of testing centres being set up around Britain, and will operate on an appointment basis… Read More »
Plans for a resumption of racing in Britain will be reviewed by the board of the British Horseracing Authority next week. Racing has been suspended until at least the end of April amid the coronavirus pandemic, with the last meetings in Britain at Wetherby and Taunton on March 17, both… Read More »
Eight races will be run and won at Happy Valley this Wednesday night, and while there are no feature races, the depth is pretty good. Race One: 9 Everyone’s Elite Race Two: 2 Let’s Take It Easy Race Three: 4 Lucky Quality Race Four: 1 Momentum Galaxy Race Five: 10… Read More »
Days after raising hopes of a return by the start of May amid the coronavirus outbreak, British horse racing organisers announced the postponement of two of their biggest Flat-racing festivals and said the prestigious Royal Ascot meeting might only be staged behind closed doors. The Guineas Festival at Newmarket on… Read More »
Brian Hughes has been officially crowned Britain’s champion jockey for the first time following the close of the 2019/2020 jumps season. The 34-year-old was leading defending titleholder Richard Johnson by 19 winners on 141 victories when the season was brought to an unscheduled end on March 17 because of the… Read More »
