Ascot could be run behind closed doors

1finny

Well-known member
Odd thinking
Be interesting to see how social distancing can work.
The stalls to start with
Then
How do you race and guarantee 6 foot between you
 
USA, Hong Kong, Australia, Sweden and Japan are still racing behind closed doors.

It would take a relaxation of the lockdown laws but the thinking is by then we will be in a Swedish style situation with restrictions on large gatherings in place but most of the day to day business sorted and also perhaps to try and get refunds etc in place early.

Was amazed to read that Italy only stopped racing one day before the UK.

There are plans to resume behind closed doors week long meetings from hubs in the UK starting on May the 1st at Newmarket, jockeys and officials to stay in a onsite ‘hotel’
 
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Why though? It's not really essential to anyone other than bookmakers that it goes ahead.

The horse racing industry is absolutely pivotal to the local economies of many rural towns and villages. Newmarket is an obvious example but there are many others too across the country.

I’m in no way advocating that horse racing should be restarted in the present circumstances, but it’s untrue to suggest that it’s only the bookmakers who are reliant on it (in fact, the bookies rely far more on football for revenue than horse racing).
 
Yeah I did think that, but there's many other economies suffering - why is those that are propped up by horses racing an exception ?
 
I get a bit sick of hearing these ridiculous proposals coming from the most non essential sector of all - the sporting industry.

And you know for people who are generally awash with money, it’s all about getting more....money.

Which part of lockdown and social distancing do they not understand?

They are getting on my nerves.
 
Cheltenham went ahead when the Government were still in the throes of a “herd immunity” strategy which thank god has been put to bed.
 
Cheltenham went ahead when the Government were still in the throes of a “herd immunity” strategy which thank god has been put to bed.

Don't think it has been fully put to bed ........but anyway Ascot could go ahead in some form given Tory donor's racing connections eg for his leadership campaign Matt Hancock got donations from racehorse auctioneers Tattersalls; from trainer John Gosden; and from Steve Harman – ex-chairman of the British Horseracing Authority.
 
This is the end of June and I they are saying that if the lockdown conditions are eased that they will run the meeting behind closed doors and not with a crowd, by the then all restrictions may have been lifted anyway as it’s 10 weeks away, so from a money point it’s not a commercial decision. York are still selling tickets for meetings due to be ran in May.

I’m pretty certain that given the title of the meeting and the patronage of the Queen that it will be more likely than not to get the go ahead to be ran.
 
How is the local economy to be boosted when there are no visitors with those working being kept in isolation?

Once sports events, theatre, cinema and concerts get back underway prepare for some low attendances.
 
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