Behind closed doors at Dundalk: a weird vibe but everybody plays their part

The first meeting in Ireland to go behind closed doors due to the global coronavirus pandemic took place at Dundalk on Friday night, with a "weird vibe" reported by those who were permitted to be in attendance.

Fixtures behind closed doors are to become the norm for the time being in Ireland, with the current situation to last until at least March 29, while Kelso will stage the first fixture without racegoers in Britain on Monday.

It has also been reported that mass gatherings in Britain are set to be banned in an attempt to stop the spread of the potentially deadly virus. This has yet to be formally announced by the British government.

What is it like at a raceday with no crowd?

The Racing Post's Justin O'Hanlon was in attendance at Dundalk on Friday night and describes the mood around the all-weather course

Eight races were decided in front of empty stands at Dundalk on Friday evening. The outdoor atmosphere at these Friday night fixtures would never be electric in any case, but the indoor part of the stadium is usually well populated.

Witnessing the empty indoor bookmakers ring and the bar area just beyond it with everything shuttered off had an eerie feel about it. That increased as darkness fell.

The empty Bar at Dundalk on the first evening of behind closed doors racing

After winning the opening sprint handicap on Danz Gift for Sheila Lavery, rider Ronan Whelan said: “It has a weird vibe to it, but everybody is doing their part. There wouldn't normally be that much hustle and bustle here on a Friday night but it certainly is subdued.”

Ballingarry trainer Richard O'Brien managed to make it to Dundalk and saddled Golden Valour to land the 1m2½f handicap under Donagh O'Connor.

Asked what he thought of racing behind closed doors, O'Brien replied: “As you saw Jurgen Klopp say the other week, it's a decision by experts beyond my business. But it's great that they're running it and a great effort to hold racing behind closed doors. How long they can keep that up is the question I suppose.”

Keeping the show on the road was emphasised by everybody. It seemed to go off without a hitch, down to the SIS-generated shows and starting prices which seemed to come in without delay.

With two more meetings to come before the initial March 29 date put in place by the Irish government, Dundalk will be at the centre of the current situation. Racecourse manager Jim Martin was as pleased as he could have been in the circumstances.

Dundalk: will stage two more meetings before March 29Credit: Patrick McCann

"It's worked very well," he said. "The public knew to stay away, and they did. We had a full list of people of who to allow on the premises. We're very happy to be supportive of the efforts to keep racing going. It's an important rural industry.

"This could be the way going forward for a while yet and it's gone very well. The place got a deep clean after the last meeting and it will again, the controls were very strict and that's the only way it'll work.”

Read more on racing and the coronavirus:

UK plan to ban mass gatherings leaves racing in balance

Racing in Ireland to go ahead behind closed doors until March 29

Imminent Ascot sales set to go ahead as companies monitor coronavirus situation

Bookmaker shares in freefall amid 'unprecedented' concern caused by coronavirus

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