Coronavirus and racing: how is it impacting on the sport and what happens next?

This article is updated daily

Coronavirus, specifically the Covid-19 variety of the virus that started in the Wuhan region of China, has spread rapidly around the world and has had a dramatic impact on racing — forcing a cancellation in Britain until May.

What is the current status of racing in Britain and Ireland?

Racing in Britain has been cancelled until the end of April, the BHA revealed on Tuesday. The last fixtures run in Britain, and staged behind closed doors, were at Taunton and Wetherby on Tuesday.

Irish racing is currently taking place behind closed doors until March 29.

What big meetings have been cancelled?

The notable meetings which have been cancelled in Britain include:

• All-Weather Finals day Lingfield, April 10
• Bet365 Craven meeting Newmarket, April 14-16
• April meeting Cheltenham, April 15-16
• Coral Scottish Grand National meeting Ayr, April 17-18
• Dubai Duty Free Spring Trials (including the Greenham Stakes) Newbury, April 17-18
• Bet365 jumps finale Sandown, April 25

Popular racing open days at Lambourn and Middleham on Good Friday have also been postponed.

When will racing return?

The BHA announced on Tuesday that racing was suspended until "the end of April" and that the decision would be "kept under constant review". In France, racing has been stopped until April 15.

In Hong Kong, which recorded its first case in January, racing has restarted but strictly behind closed doors where attendees are required to wear a face mask and to have been temperature screened. The Hong Kong Jockey Club is allowing “voting members with seasonal tables” to attend Wednesday’s meeting at Happy Valley.

What about other sports?

Premier League and English Football League games are off until at least April 3, Scottish football is suspended until further notice and there have been widespread cancellations in cricket, golf, rugby union, tennis, basketball and motorsports. Euro 2020, scheduled to start in June, will be staged next year. There are major doubts about whether the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo will go ahead.

Will coronavirus affect the Grand National?

The Grand National, due to be held at Aintree on April 4, was cancelled on Monday evening.

What else is at risk?

All the major spring racing festivals could be cancelled, postponed or put behind closed doors. The Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse on April 13, the Punchestown festival from April 28 to May 2 and the Guineas meeting at Newmarket on May 2 and 3 are among the upcoming events that could be at risk. Beyond that, the Derby and Royal Ascot loom large.

The Derby draws a huge crowd to EpsomCredit: Edward Whitaker

What is the financial cost to racing of stopping?

Racing's shut down has the potential to be catastrophic for all aspects of the sport. This halts the main income stream to the sport and, while owners will continue paying training fees, it could heap unprecedented pressure on many small businesses and those self-employed in the industry. Most jockeys ride as freelancers – without racing, they lose their main income source.

What about the impact on the betting industry?

The hit for betting companies is expected to be huge. This has been seen in their plummeting share prices, with William Hill perhaps the worst affected. The company's share price has fallen from 192p on Feb 21 to around 60p on March 16, when racing's cancellation was confirmed it dropped again to 50p.

Flutter Entertainment, the parent company of Paddy Power Betfair, has warned the cost to its business could be in the range of
£90-110 million. But that was assuming betting shops stay open and racing continues behind closed doors in Britain, Ireland and Australia. The current situation could reduce earnings by a further £30m a month.

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