'It's cost us between £40,000 and £50,000' - Pontefract counting price of racing

The financial impact of racing behind closed doors was underlined when Pontefract estimated it cost "between £40,000 and £50,000" to prepare for its first meeting since resumption.

To comply with social distancing and strict public health guidelines for its return on Wednesday, the track had to set up new jockeys' changing facilities – in the premier dining room for men and the paddock dining room for women.

A one-way system, signage and markings had to be put in place, and personal protective equipment bought, and managing director Norman Gundill said: "We think setting up has cost between £40,000 and £50,000.

Inhaler is the winner of the first race at the first meeting of the year at PontefractCredit: Edward Whitaker

"You don't know what it's going to cost when you start and it escalates as you go along. For instance, we had to buy a new washing machine because we'd got valets upstairs and valets downstairs. And we've had to hire in trial scales because we couldn't move them.

"We won't make money out of today but we've got six race meetings and once you've set up you just need to do things like replenish the PPE, the bulk of the cost is done. The Levy Board has said they'll pay for PPE and the RCA is putting in an application to the Levy Board for some kind of reimbursement for set-up costs."

Many tracks have raced since resumption but the majority have been part of large racecourse groups and able to spread the costs.

"It's all right getting used to Newcastle or Haydock or wherever, if you come to Pontefract it's totally different," Gundill said. "We've had to work with the buildings and the situation we've got.

"We've had video conferencing once a week with Go Racing In Yorkshire, sharing ideas, but actually carrying out the work it's been chief operating officer Richard Hammill, accounts manager Nicola Cawood and me plus four groundstaff. The last few weeks have been a complete blur!"

Asked whether he had ever considered drawing stumps and scrapping plans to race in 2020, Gundill, 77 and involved at Pontefract since 1966, said: "If I did, it was fleeting.

"At the end of your day it's your pride, isn't it? For whatever reason, they've said we were going to be the first meeting in Yorkshire and we were going to get it right!

"My heart and soul is in this place and so is Richard's and all the staff. You can't see it but under my mask I'm smiling!"

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