British horseracing prepared to move behind closed doors

In an attempt to limit the spread of coronavirus, the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) is set to enact emergency measures this week banning spectators from horseracing events.

British horseracing prepared to move behind closed doors

In line with the new approach suggested by the horseracing industry’s Covid-19 group, race meetings will be held without spectators, while competitors and participants will attend under strict conditions.

Racing events will move behind closed doors initially until the end of March.

Monday’s race at Kelso is already due to go ahead without spectators, following guidance from the Scottish Government.

Nick Rust, CEO of the BHA, said: “Racing has worked hard to look after our customers and our staff by following the Government’s guidance and taking proportionate action.

“We will agree plans to limit attendance to participants and staff only at race meetings from this week, and put in place the contingency plans developed by the industry.”

Regarding the Grand National due to be run on 4 April, the BHA said the Government “has been briefed on the issues involved” and an announcement will be made “as soon as possible.”

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Owain Flanders
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Owain Flanders is a journalist who spent over a year with Gambling Insider, first joining as an Editorial Intern in August 2019 before progressing to Staff Writer from November 2019 to December 2020. During his tenure, he covered a wide range of developments across the global gambling and iGaming sectors, producing original news stories, in-depth features and analytical pieces for the Gambling Insider website and its bi-monthly magazine.

Owain interviewed CEOs, analysts and senior marketing executives on emerging trends, regulatory issues and commercial strategy, bringing authoritative insight to a professional B2B audience.

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