France Galop Sets May 11 Date for Racing Return
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Photo: Edward Whitaker/Racing Post
Racing in better days at Chantilly
As the COVID-19 crisis continues around the globe, racing in France is set to resume behind closed doors May 11, France Galop announced April 22.
The sport has been suspended since March 17, but in an effort to support all sectors of the industry, France Galop is looking at recommencing racing with strict regulation—only the trainer, jockey, and one groom will be permitted on the racecourse for each runner.
No date has been set on when these measures will be lifted. A statement from France Galop stated this would last "as long as necessary."
Horses and jockeys based outside of France will not be allowed to ride until at least the end of May.
It was also suggested the race program will be adapted, as some racecourses do not have the right facilities to cater to the safety requirements. A fixture list will be published this week.
"Tens of thousands of French households rely upon horse racing, from stud farms to stables, where a large workforce works for horses and their well-being," the France Galop statement read. "While the races were stopped, most of them continued their activity since horses, especially those trained for competition, cannot live in confinement. The stables and the breedings therefore continued to operate, without being able to count on the income from competition, their raison d'être.
"The objective of protecting the health of all those involved in organizing meetings will be the main priority of France Galop and LeTROT when the races resume. These will take place as long as it takes behind closed doors, in enhanced mode, as in the last days preceding the cessation of horse racing activities in France. This successful experience in the closed-door practice at the Oise racetracks in March constitutes a solid fulcrum to guarantee the health security of future race meetings.
"If France Galop and LeTROT give themselves all the means to resume racing at the national level from May 11, this restart remains obviously subject to the evolution of the pandemic and the measures taken by the government regarding the gradual exit from the confinement. The parent companies will be able to show responsiveness and will be able to adapt their recovery plans to the constraints imposed by the government."