'Come forward if you have a case' - BHA calls on racing to report positive tests

In the midst of rumours of Covid-19 cases among racing participants, BHA chief executive Nick Rust has urged anyone who tests positive to come forward "for the good of the sport".

Racing professionals appear to have been much less badly hit by the virus than in other sports such as football, in which matches have had to be postponed or cancelled, with an unnamed apprentice the only jockey in Britain confirmed to have tested positive.

But Rust admitted to hearing of possible cases and stressed the importance of BHA chief medical adviser Dr Jerry Hill's message that those who are unwell do not go to work, have tests and come forward so as to minimise the risk of cross-infection.

"We have had some reports of potential cases and they have still to be verified," he said. "But this is part of the reason why Dr Jerry Hill came out with his message at the end of last week and why I've been saying we have to be very careful in our personal lives.

"Come forward if you have a case, let us know. That will help ensure we can isolate things as best we can and keep the show fully on the road. If you have cases you must come forward for the good of the sport so that we can help manage the environment."

Rust's comments on Racing TV's Luck On Sunday came at the end of a week in which the government announced that crowds are unlikely to return to courses for six months, a potentially huge financial blow that threatens numerous racing organisations and jobs.

Pilot racedays with spectators have been halted despite no evidence that the two which have taken place increased transmission of the virus.

BHA chair Annamarie Phelps pointed to the government's overall pandemic crackdown, desire to be seen to curtail mass gatherings and not send conflicting messages on behaviour and said on Sky Sports Racing: "This is not pointed at racing. This is about trying to encourage people to follow the rules.

"That may not seem fair on us. I can see why people are frustrated. But we're in a situation where we need to try and work with government."

Annamarie Phelps: 'I can see why people are frustrated. But we're in a situation where we need to try and work with government'Credit: Edward Whitaker

Asked whether working with government since lockdown had been in racing's interest, she said: "I think it has. We were the first major sport back. This issue now is bigger than racing, this is government trying to do its best to control infection rates across the country and we have to understand the sort of difficult decisions they are trying to make on a daily basis."

Rust added that racing's leaders "are fighting for the future of the sport as hard as we can" and vowed to push racing's case, working with the Racecourse Association and the Horsemen's Group.

He outlined three areas they will focus on when pressing their case with government: the level of support needed, levy reform, and stressing that racing is a safe environment in which to bring back spectators and hospitality.

"The DCMS is very keen to help us move forward," he said. "We were one of the first sports back, we have a sympathetic ear. We were ahead of the hospitality industry – racing started on June 1 before pubs opened a month later."

Read more:

Racing must 'do the right thing' in fight against Covid says BHA's Jerry Hill

Gosden calls for movement on levy reform to avoid going 'back to 1970s'

BHA calls for more government support as Sunak unveils new job support scheme

Courses facing bleak winter as Jockey Club reveals big increase in turnover hit

'Significant six-figure loss' pending for Wetherby as jumps tracks feel pinch

'I don't know how people are going to survive': bookmakers fear for the future

Hammer blow as new restrictions mean crowds might not return for six months

Ed Chamberlin: 'A dismal week but we need to get racing on the front foot'

Ultimate Daily - our daily newsletters from Racing Post's experts, exclusive to the inbox of Ultimate Members' Club subscribers. To receive the newsletter subscribe at racingpost.com/members-club