Horse, greyhound and pigeon racing returns today – but with events held behind-closed-doors

Jockeys will be wearing face masks today as horse racing returns behind closed doors in light of the government’s easing of coronavirus lockdown measures.

With the racing industry worth £4billion, Newcastle will be the location for the first meet – with the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) taking hefty precautions to ensure the safety of everyone.

The sport is one of three returning today in England alongside greyhound racing and pigeon racing.

Horse racing returns to England today with strict measures in place for the Newcastle meet

Earlier today more than 4,000 birds flew as pigeon racing returned - with it held in Kettering

Earlier today more than 4,000 birds flew as pigeon racing returned – with it held in Kettering

Greyhound racing is also back with the first race having taken place at Perry Barr, Birmingham

Greyhound racing is also back with the first race having taken place at Perry Barr, Birmingham

Pigeon racing was the first return – with more than 4,000 birds belonging to members of the Barnsley Federation of Racing Pigeons being released from a park in Kettering on this morning ahead of a 90-mile sprint back to South Yorkshire. 

That was quickly followed by greyhound racing being held at Perry Barr, Birmingham – with the first meet taking place at 10.21am.

Horse racing returns later this afternoon and only limited personnel will be allowed at Gosforth Park, with detailed hygiene and social distancing measures employed.

This includes personal protection equipment where necessary – including jockeys wearing face masks. The use of face masks is in conjunction with protocols enforced in France and Germany – where the sport has already returned.

Pre and post racing jockeys are not allowed to shower on site or have a sauna in a bid to minimise the threat of coronavirus spreading.

On top of this upon arrival those at the course will have to answer health questionnaires and undergo temperature testing.

Other safety measures for the immediate future include one-way systems around the track, no presentations, no on-course bookmakers, no crowds and no owners.

BHA chief executive Nick Rust said: ‘Our focus is obviously on returning safely and protecting all those taking part in behind closed doors racing, while also reassuring the communities that racing takes place in that the risk of transmitting the virus has been minimised.

Face masks are mandatory for jockeys during the horse racing - which will be behind closed doors. Pictured a member of staff wearing a face mask as she leads a horse to stables today.

Face masks are mandatory for jockeys during the horse racing – which will be behind closed doors. Pictured a member of staff wearing a face mask as she leads a horse to stables today.

‘We’re all very passionate about racing and like the participants and anyone connected with the sport, we’ve all missed it.’

Speaking on Good Morning Britain today, Martin Cruddace, chief executive at Arena Racing Company is confident that the Newcastle meet will go ahead smoothly.

‘It’s a burden to be first but also a privilege to be first but I am confident,’ he said.

‘Everyone who attends today must have completed an online course, which I did and I learnt quite a lot actually about PPE, who needs to wear PPE, who doesn’t.

‘As well as that they have to fill out an online medical questionnaire.

‘When they arrive they have to be given a briefing as well and of course, there’s signage throughout everywhere.

‘I think we’re slightly fortunate because we’re not a contact sport and I think that gives us confidence to go first.

‘But of course, you know, we are paying particular attention to every detail we could possibly think of and I’m confident we’ll get there.’

Today's horse racing meet at Gosforth Park, Newcastle will be behind closed doors

Today’s horse racing meet at Gosforth Park, Newcastle will be behind closed doors

Meetings were last held on March 17, when Wetherby and Taunton were in action behind closed doors, before racing was brought to an immediate halt due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The return of mainstream sport will kick-off with a bumper 10-race card in the north east, ahead of a high-profile weekend featuring the 2000 and 1000 Guineas at Newmarket.

A total of 369 initial entries were whittled down to just 120 runners before any defections.

Horse racing has come under scrutiny during this pandemic with the annual Cheltenham Festival allowed to have taken place in March – just before the government introduced lockdown measures.

More than 250,000 people attended the spectacle and the allowing of the event has since drawn criticism. However, Cruddace believes that Cheltenham Festival simply followed government advice.

‘I think at the time, the government was absolutely clear and I think it’s made it clear again that the advice was the festival could go ahead.

‘I think it’s very difficult for a racecourse, Cheltenham’s not one of our racecourses, but it’s very difficult for a racecourse to make a decision against government advice.’

Martin Cruddace is confident the Newcastle meet will go smoothly with its safety measures

Martin Cruddace is confident the Newcastle meet will go smoothly with its safety measures

The return of pigeon racing has been hailed by organiser John Greenshield as a blessing for many in his community.

Mr Greenshield, 72, said: ‘This is a very strong ex-mining area and I worked in the pits for 41 years.

‘So many people have lost people in the mines or are living with illnesses.

‘The whole current situation has got people down and there are a lot of mental problems.

‘The racing is something for people to get out of bed for. People are really looking forward to it.

‘I think it would have killed some off if there hadn’t been racing until next year. It’s like putting oxygen back into the area.’

Meanwhile, Im Sophie took victory at Perry Barr in the first of 12 greyhound meets on the calendar up and down the country.

The 6/1 shot beat Peachstreet Jack and Dungarvan Hobo.