HRI chief concedes Irish Guineas could be moved if lockdown is extended

HRI chief executive Brian Kavanagh fears an extension of the Irish government's Covid-19 lockdown might lead to a rescheduling of the first two Classics of the Flat season next month, but reiterated Irish racing remains "racing ready" for a resumption of action when the industry gets the green light to proceed.

A report in Monday's Irish Independent stated the government lockdown, due to end on May 4, may not be lifted at all, or only eased slightly, from next week.

The report's sources suggest the government will act on a roadmap of when to normalise activity, without being specific as to target dates. According to the report, the reason for any extension of the government lockdown is due to concern over the high rate of infections in the country.

A further 701 cases were reported on Sunday, although there was a considerable decrease on Monday, with 386 cases reported, bringing the total number to 19,648, with 1,105 people having lost their lives to the disease. Monday's figure also showed a decrease over the previous two days, from 26 deaths reported on Sunday to 18 on Monday.

Racing in Ireland last took place behind closed doors on March 24.

HRI chief Brian Kavanagh: 'The sooner we get back the better as it limits the damage'Credit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

When asked whether an extension to the lockdown could lead to doubt over the Irish 2,000 and 1,000 Guineas taking place on the scheduled dates of May 23 and 24, Kavanagh said: "It could. I think if we came back soon after May 4 we could continue with that schedule, but after that there would come a point where a decision would have to be made about whether to reschedule them.

"It is one of the matters the HRI board discussed today [Monday] without making any firm call on it. Our director of racing Jason Morris has a number of contingencies drawn up, but until we have some sort of certainty, it is impossible to speculate. But obviously the sooner we get back the better as it limits the damage and enables the thread to be taken up more easily."

He added: "Our position on Covid-19 remains the same. We are waiting to hear from the government, and we have advanced our thinking and advanced our prototcols, which we think have improved on a daily basis in consultation with our chief medical officer Jennifer Pugh. We're also watching with interest developments in places like Australia and Hong Kong.

"We have said to the government that we are ready to race when you say it is safe and appropriate to do so, and we will race behind closed doors for as long as your regulations on mass gatherings remain in place."

Roaring Lion: brilliant colt won the 2018 Qipco Irish Champion Stakes under Oisin MurphyCredit: Patrick McCann

Kavanagh also commented on the news that Qipco is ending its sponsorship of the Irish Champion Stakes, scheduled to take place at Leopardstown on September 12.

He said: "This had been advised to us about six weeks ago and I would like to compliment Sheikh Fahad. He came in to sponsor the race for a year and ended up sponsoring it for six. They were very helpful in getting Irish Champions Weekend established. His colours are always a welcome sight on Irish tracks. He also got behind the Corinthian Challenge with great enthusiasm and was a great sponsor."

Kavanagh added: "Leopardstown had been actively engaged in trying to find a new sponsor, but that stopped very quickly after Covid-19 struck, and at this time it is not really appropriate to be looking for a new sponsor. It's completely on hold for the moment, but it's an attractive proposition when the time is right."

Read more:

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

Troubles mounting for Irish tracks as mass gatherings banned until September

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