Cheltenham Festival crowds down as coronavirus outbreak declared a pandemic

Crowds fell for a second day in succession at the Cheltenham Festival on Wednesday amid concerns around the global outbreak of the potentially deadly coronavirus, which has been declared a pandemic by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Cheltenham reported an attendance of 56,943, down on last year’s record figure of 59,209, with the course emphasising measures had been put in place to mitigate against the spread of infection, including a number of prominent hand-sanitiser stations, as Britain declared its biggest daily rise in positive cases for the illness.

A total of 456 people, a rise of 83 from Tuesday, have tested positive for Covid-19 in Britain, with eight individuals dying as a consequence of the virus, from 27,476 tests. Over 124,000 people have contracted coronavirus across the planet with over 4,500 deaths.

Chantilly: has been racing behind closed doorsCredit: Scott Burton / Racing Post

Ian Renton, regional director of Cheltenham and south west region of the Jockey Club, said: “All the measures we put in place were well used by racegoers and they heeded the advice we gave to ensure that hygiene was kept at a maximum. The attendance being down was not a surprise. The last fortnight ticket sales have been very quiet. We had tremendous sales until then.

“We have been liaising with the government throughout this; their advice has been extremely helpful. We've been following that advice to the letter and we will continue to do so until the conclusion of the festival.”

With Covid-19 having reached pandemic status, meaning it is active in multiple countries around the globe at the same time and is easily transmitted, apprehension is increasing about the impact the spread of the virus could potentially have on racing.

Betfair’s ‘will racing go ahead’ market for Aintree heavily favours the Randox Health Grand National fixture on April 2 not to go ahead at 1-3 with nearly £27,000 traded, although the BHA reiterated on Wednesday it continues to take a ‘business as usual’ approach while liaising with government about the virus.

Gigginstown racing manager Eddie O'Leary thinks racing must continue despite the coronavirus spreading, even if that means the action happening behind closed doors.

Eddie O'Leary: 'To say would you delay a National, until when? Will you delay a Guineas, a Derby, where do you stop?'Credit: Sarah Farnsworth / Goffs UK

O'Leary said: "We're in strange times. Hopefully things have to progress because it's a business. To say would you delay a National, until when? Will you delay a Guineas, a Derby, where do you stop?

"I presume behind closed doors is the preferred option if it comes to that, hopefully it won't, but I presume that will be the preferred option because life has to go on."

There had been considerable concern among racegoers about whether the meeting would go ahead this week, with over £4 million was traded Betfair’s ‘will racing be on’ market for the festival.

Racegoer Jason Ellis from York said: “We’ve all been following the news about Cheltenham and the coronavirus quite closely the last week. We knew there was a market on it on the exchanges and it was a bit too close for a lot of the time for our liking.

“I don’t think it’s too bad as it is, but if we had had to wait until next week I’d have been surprised if we had a festival at all this year. We weren’t too worried about coming because although there are a lot of people there’s also a lot of space here, but things could change any time by the looks of it.”

Wednesday’s Premier League clash between Manchester City and Arsenal was called off after members of Arsenal’s staff came into contact with an individual who tested positive for the virus. Matches in the Europa League and in Serie A in Italy have also been played with no crowds in attendance, while several Six Nations rugby games have been postponed.

FA Cup-winning football manager Harry Redknapp, who was at Cheltenham to watch his Shakem Up’Arry run, believed the course made the right call in not cancelling this week’s festival, but had concerns about future events.

“As it is it’s the right thing to carry on but in two weeks that could all change, couldn’t it?,” he said. “We need to try and enjoy things while we can because if and when it gets worse down the line then it’s going to change how we have to deal with things day to day. This is a great meeting and we need to be here and enjoying it before anything happens.”

Jockeys are being updated regularly about virus developments, according to Professional Jockeys Association chief executive Paul Struthers, who added: “All jockeys across the country over the last week have been briefed at the course about it and about what to do.”

Trevor Hemmings: has been advised to not attend CheltenhamCredit: Edward Whitaker

Additionally, leading owner Trevor Hemmings, 84, was reportedly advised not to attend the festival due to concerns around the potential impact of the virus, while some companies planning to attend have declined to do so.

Jockey David Crosse runs a racecourse hospitality business, and said: “I’ve done a few restaurants this week and they’ve been absolutely packed to the gills, so in general it’s been a really good week so far.

“I was meant to do an event for a company tomorrow but they’ve cancelled this morning as they didn’t want to risk bringing their staff to the course, and that’s the decision people have got to make. I wouldn’t blame anyone for whatever they decide to do this week.”

The WHO stated on Wednesday it has “rung the alarm bell loud and clear” by declaring a pandemic, and director-general Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus added: "WHO has been assessing this outbreak around the clock and we're deeply concerned, both by the alarming levels of spread and severity, and by the alarming levels of inaction."

Read more:

Cheltenham Festival attendance down on day one after coronavirus uncertainty

Cheltenham Festival to go ahead as planned despite new coronavirus cases

Chantilly card to be staged behind closed doors in light of coronavirus threat

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