Coronavirus to Halt Racing in Britain Until May

Racing in Britain will be canceled from March 18 until the end of April, with the British Horseracing Authority taking the drastic step as a result of the spiraling coronavirus pandemic.

The radical action was implemented March 17 and brings to an end the sport's short-lived period of racing behind closed doors, which had been agreed by the BHA, racecourses, and horsemen following consultations with the industry's COVID-19 steering group.

However, following the March 16 ramping up of social distancing measures by the U.K. government, including advice to avoid all nonessential travel and social gatherings in an attempt to slow the spread of the virus, racing's leaders pulled the shutters down on the action.

BHA chief executive Nick Rust said in a statement: "This is a national emergency the like of which most of us have never seen before.

"We're a sport that is proud of its connection to rural communities and to the local businesses that support our industry. But our first duty is to the health of the public, our customers, and to racing industry participants and staff, so we have decided to suspend racing following the government's latest advice.

"Racing is a family, and I know we will pull together over the coming days, weeks, and months and support each other. By stopping racing, we can free up medical resources, doctors, and ambulances—be they private sector or NHS—to assist in the national effort to fight this virus. And we can support racing industry participants and staff as they face up to the personal challenges ahead and care for their own families.

"There will be difficult months ahead for many of us. We need to focus now on ensuring that we can continue to look after our horses as the virus affects the thousands of participants and staff who dedicate their lives to caring for animals. We need to do what we can to support businesses inside and outside racing and the many people whose livelihoods depend upon this £4 billion industry."

The decision was taken after discussions with senior industry leaders and will be "kept under constant review."

Rust added: "We are in constant contact with government, which understands the very significant consequences of this decision for jobs and businesses. We will work with them to do our best to manage the impact.

"Racing leaders will keep today's decision under constant review and endeavor to keep all customers, participants, staff, and dependent businesses informed as the situation progresses."

The impact of the virus, which has caused 55 deaths in Britain, had already caused the cancellation Monday of next month's marquee Randox Health Grand National meeting, and the BHA move will result in a number of other high-profile meetings being impacted.

These include All-Weather Finals day April 10, the bet365 Craven meeting at Newmarket from April 14-16, the Coral Scottish Grand National and Newbury's Greeham meeting April 18, and Sandown's bet365 jumps finale April 25.

Popular racing open days at Lambourn and Middleham on Good Friday have also been postponed as the sport deals with the fallout from the global crisis.

Mass cancellation and postponements have been taking place across the world of sport since last week as organizations and governments grapple with the significant, continuing impact of COVID-19.

Premier League football, Euro 2020, Test cricket, the Six Nations rugby, Formula 1 motor racing, the Greyhound Derby, and The Masters golf are among the events affected by the virus. The Olympics in Japan is also in jeopardy.

Racing has been taking place without spectators in Ireland, Australia, the UAE, and Hong Kong. On Monday, racing in France was canceled until mid-April after initially being behind closed doors. 

In the U.S., racing continues without racegoers in many parts of the country, but Keeneland's spring meeting has been called off and the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) is pushed back to Sept. 5.