Owners return to Irish racecourses on Monday as HRI explores big-event openings

For a first time since March 17, owners will return to Irish racecourses at Listowel and Fairyhouse on Monday after Horse Racing Ireland confirmed that two people per listed owner would be permitted following the government's publication of the Living with Covid-19 (LWC) roadmap.

Under the new LWC guidelines that were published on Tuesday, level 2 – at which the country is currently classified as being – allows for 200 spectators in stadia that can accommodate 5,000 people or more.

That has given HRI the scope to cater for owners once again, albeit it is contingent on the status of the counties in which each course is situated not regressing.

"We are delighted to confirm that for the first time since March, owners will be permitted to return to the racecourse from Monday next," said HRI chief executive Brian Kavanagh.

"Owners play the most important role in Irish racing and they have had to wait quite some time to return to the racecourse to see their horses run."

Kavanagh confirmed it would be two owners per listed owner on a given day rather than two per horse, given that some owners would have multiple runners.

"Technically it is per horse, but, if you have ten runners on a day, it is still two people. Now, we'll adapt as we go and play it as we find it, because it will depend on each particular venue as well."

Brian Kavanagh: 'Owners play the most important role in Irish racing'Credit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Kavanagh stated that all 26 racecourses meet the criterion that states a venue must have a minimum capacity of 5,000.

"You’re dealing with outdoor events and outdoor spaces but if you look at last year’s annual report, even the smaller venues have attendances in or close to that region," he said.

Should a county or region drop to level 3 or level 4 based on the local Covid-19 transmissions, courses in those areas would revert to hosting only key personnel. Racing would continue unless the situation deteriorated to level 5.

With coronavirus numbers on a worrying upward trajectory in Dublin, Leopardstown is likely to be the track in the most immediate danger of being restricted to key personnel, but its next fixture is not until October 16.

Level 1 allows for up to 500 spectators, which Kavanagh suggested may allow for other groups such as sponsors and members to attend.

As the announcement on Tuesday indicated, it would be unlikely to leave scope for paying customers, although Kavanagh indicated HRI will explore the potential of the proviso that relates to authorities being able to make a specific case for major national and international sporting events that are hosted at purpose-built event facilities.

"We will look into the element surrounding major national and international events and see where everyone falls under that. As I said on Tuesday, 500 is not a sustainable or commercial level for racecourses so we will need to look at that, but there has been a lot happening this week so we will now take a bit of time to plan the next phase," he explained.

"We have had no contact with the Department of Agriculture or anyone else yet on this, but, if you look at the definition surrounding stadiums or venues for major events, certainly racecourses would fall into that."

As per the current protocols, which are implemented by the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board, every owner attending a race meeting will be subject to health screening in advance and temperature checks on arrival.

More to read . . .

Warwick pilot event on Monday gets go-ahead with reduced capacity

Blow for Irish tracks as cap of 500 spectators enforced in new six-month roadmap

Newmarket given green light to host racegoers at Cambridgeshire meeting

Danny Sheehy becomes third Irish jockey to return positive Covid-19 test

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