What's next for racing following government announcement on crowds?

What does today's announcement from government mean for racing?

Well, first and foremost it is good news. The prospect of crowds returning in some form from October 1 will be a major boost to racecourses denied a major revenue source with the action behind closed doors.

Racing was one of the first sports to return, on June 1, and has earned the trust of government to play a key role in the next steps. The outdoor nature of facilities and the relatively expansive grandstands make racing a sound sport for a test event.

What will racing look like?

The details are still to be finalised, and no doubt feedback from test events will determine the manner and number in which fans are allowed to return. However, races and meetings in the autumn, like the Fillies' Mile, Dewhurst, British Champions Day and Vertem Futurity Trophy, could all potentially take place in front of spectators, provided things progress well.

Tracks like Newmarket, Ascot and Doncaster have the scope to accommodate plenty while maintaining social distancing, and of course October brings the return of big-name jumpers with Cheltenham's first meeting of the season.

Owners have been allowed to return in a limited capacity at behind-closed-doors fixturesCredit: Alan Crowhurst

Things will no doubt be very different. In all likelihood social distancing will still be in place and crowds will have to be limited. Racecourses will need to find a balance between the extra staff needed to support racegoers and income from limited gate receipts, but some sort of normality could resume. Plenty will be learned from Goodwood's experience, as with test events in other sports.

It will be a while yet before racecourses and betting rings return to the buzzing hives many are used to on the biggest days, but for smaller tracks that are major hubs in their local communities there is an opportunity to get creative given the abundance of space that limits other sporting venues.

Which meetings will miss out?

Ascot has already ruled out having a crowd at the King George meeting, while York's Ebor meeting, Haydock's Sprint Cup, the season's final Classic – the St Leger – and races like the Middle Park and Cheveley Park have in previous years all taken place in August and September.

There is of course the possibility of further test events, while in this season of major upheaval there is nothing to say the calendar could not be rejigged to allow spectators to attend some of the sport's biggest events.

How long until everything is back to normal?

No-one knows. The October 1 return of some racegoers is dependant on the test events succeeding and the continued suppression of the the virus - or a vaccine being found.

Then there is the much-talked-about potential second wave of the virus, which scientists have suggested is most likely to hit as autumn turns to winter. It will be baby steps for a while to come - and they may not all be in a forward direction.

Read more:

October 1 aim for racegoers return as Glorious Goodwood welcomes 5,000 crowd

Spring Carnival crowds of up to 5,000 considered 'best-case scenario'

Scott Burton at Deauville: shock to the system as French racing welcomes back crowds at long last

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