Royal Ascot Closed to Public Due to COVID-19
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Photo: Edward Whitaker/Racing Post
Queen Elizabeth II arrives on the first day of the 2019 Royal Ascot meeting
Royal Ascot, the marquee British race meeting scheduled to take place June 16-20, will not be able to take place as an event open to the public due to public health and safety concerns connected to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Following the recent cancellations of Wimbledon and The Open golf championship, Ascot chief executive Guy Henderson April 7 issued a statement outlining plans for the track to stage the meeting behind closed doors between June 16-20.
Henderson also confirmed Ascot's two-day fixture starting May 8 would have no public admittance, even if the British Horseracing Authority and senior stakeholders sanction a phased resumption of racing next month.
"It may prove possible to run the Royal Ascot races behind closed doors, dependent on government and public health policy, and the approval of the BHA for us to restart racing," Henderson said. "This would be for the benefit of the industry, our valued partners and suppliers, and our television audiences at home and internationally. Planning for this is now our complete focus and we will update on our progress as and when we can.
"The pandemic will have a significant financial impact on our business in 2020, along with so many others. Nevertheless, Ascot will come through this crisis and we look forward to welcoming racegoers back when it is safe to do so.
"Meanwhile, our thoughts are with all those grieving and suffering as a result of COVID-19. We offer heartfelt thanks to our wonderful National Health Service staff, key workers and volunteers for all their selfless dedication."
Crowds cheer as horses race past the stands at Royal Ascot
As a result of the coronavirus pandemic there have been no fixtures in Britain since the cards at Taunton and Wetherby March 17, with the sport seeking not to place any extra pressure on the NHS and emergency services.
It is understood a decision on when racing can be restarted will be delayed until the UK government issues its latest verdict on whether to extend its three-week lockdown. When it does return, it is likely to be entirely closed doors for an indefinite period.
Customers who have already paid for entry and hospitality at Royal Ascot, or the track's meeting in May, will be refunded in full and will initially be contacted by email.