South African racing authorities targeting return to action on May 1
Racing authorities in South Africa are planning for a resumption of racing behind closed doors on May 1, subject to the national lockdown being lifted by then.
The South African government extended the Covid-19 lockdown until the end of April and, after numerous meetings between the Racing Operators, the Racing Association and The National Horseracing Authority over the Easter weekend, the target of a May resumption was announced.
The proposed return date of May 1 is being made on the presumption racing is permitted to continue and, as and when they get back up and running, the programme will have a slightly different look.
In a press release issued on behalf of The National Horseracing Authority, the details of the alterations made to the programme read: "Given that we will have effectively lost five weeks of racing, the Racing Operators have agreed to push the National Feature Race Programme back around a month, which will mean that the Vodacom Durban July will take place on the last Saturday in July [with the Gold Cup meeting pushed out to the end of August].
“This will allow the Highveld to move a slightly revamped Champions Day [featuring the Champions Challenge and six other major races] to the last Saturday in May and stage the Horse Chestnut Stakes [Group 1], SA Derby [Group 1] and SA Oaks [Group 2] on Saturday 2 May.”
There will also be changes to the Western Cape and the Eastern Cape racing programme.
Read more
Rescheduled Classics and 50 per cent prize-money cuts: Germany's comeback plan
JRA announces racing will continue behind closed doors under tighter measures
Keep up to date on the must-have news, tips, photos and more by following the Racing Post across all social channels
Published on inInternational
Last updated
- Signing autographs in the streets and Marquand mania - a day in the wacky world of Japanese racing fans
- Bob Baffert set for Churchill Downs return with first runner since 2021 after long suspension
- Plan comes together in Casablanca with bloodstock agent Toby Jones landing international prize
- Hong Kong: 'Heavyweight champion of the world' Romantic Warrior sets up big-race tilts with easy win at Sha Tin
- 'I thought he wasn't going to do it!' - more joy for Sir Alex Ferguson as Spirit Dancer becomes first dual winner of Bahrain's biggest race
- Signing autographs in the streets and Marquand mania - a day in the wacky world of Japanese racing fans
- Bob Baffert set for Churchill Downs return with first runner since 2021 after long suspension
- Plan comes together in Casablanca with bloodstock agent Toby Jones landing international prize
- Hong Kong: 'Heavyweight champion of the world' Romantic Warrior sets up big-race tilts with easy win at Sha Tin
- 'I thought he wasn't going to do it!' - more joy for Sir Alex Ferguson as Spirit Dancer becomes first dual winner of Bahrain's biggest race