Street 'extremely disappointed' as Champions Day is forced behind closed doors

Ascot has vowed to put on a "world-class raceday" on British Champions Day in October despite the meeting being an early victim of the government announcement that sport must take place behind closed doors for the time being.

Ascot has continued to offer tickets for both general admission and hospitality but with the news the government's increased measures to combat the rise in Covid-19 infections would include a stalling of any phased reintroduction of crowds, British Champions Series wasted little time in bowing to the inevitable for the country's richest raceday on October 17.

"We are naturally extremely disappointed that we will not be able to welcome racegoers to Qipco British Champions Day in line with government policy announced today," said British Champions Series chief executive Rod Street.