'We need to get going' - France Galop sets May 11 date for racing to return

Racing in France is set to resume behind closed doors from May 11, France Galop announced on Tuesday evening.

The sport has been suspended since March 17 but, in an effort to support all sectors of the industry, France Galop is looking at recommencing racing with strict regulation – only the trainer, jockey and one groom will be permitted on the racecourse for each runner.

No date has been set on when these measures will be lifted. A statement from France Galop on Tuesday stated this would last "as long as necessary".

Horses and jockeys based outside of France will not be allowed to race until at least the end of May.

It was also suggested the race programme would be adapted as some racecourses do not have the right facilities to cater for the safety requirements. A fixture list will be published later this week.

Nicolas Clement, president of the French Trainers Association, told the Racing Post earlier this month that the first four Classics of the season would be rescheduled a month later.

He said: "There are plans for the Guineas to be the first weekend in June, a French Derby and Oaks early July – so everything will go back a month. We'll adapt.

"The big question is whether foreign horses will be accepted and we have no idea right now, but we need to get going."

No decision has been confirmed for prize-money and these regulations are contingent on advice from the French government.

As of Wednesday, there has been 21,340 deaths from Covid-19 in France.

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