Relieved Trainers Prepare to Resume Racing in Britain

Trainers were singing from the same hymn sheet May 31 as they counted down the hours to the return of racing in Britain with a mixture of relief and great excitement. 

After a shutdown of more than 10 weeks, the government gave the green light on Saturday for professional sport to return under strict health and hygiene restrictions, with Newcastle's 10-race card on Monday ready to get the ball rolling. 

That announcement was met with cheer by those at racing's coalface, where preparations for the sport's return have never halted despite the coronavirus pandemic.  

"We were hoping to get back in May but it wasn't possible and it's been a long wait," said group 1-winning trainer Marco Botti, who will be represented at Newcastle. "I'm delighted for everyone that we got the go-ahead on Saturday and especially for the owners. I don't think we could have gone on any longer without racing.

"They were getting nervous about the situation and when it was confirmed it was a big relief. The circumstances will be different but after two and a half months of waiting, we're so happy to be back." 

His Newmarket neighbor Roger Varian, also with two runners Monday, echoed Botti's views and hopes the sport can adapt to the strict safety measures set out at British racecourses.    

"We have to thank the owners who have been incredibly supportive and patient over the past few months," said Varian. "Hopefully racing can have a smooth reintroduction and, over time, become a little bit more like normal again. To have an outlet for these horses from Monday is great." 

Owners were also at the forefront of the mind of County Durham trainer Michael Dods, who sends a team of three to his local track on Monday. 

"It's been difficult, especially for the owners who are paying for these horses and hopefully they can get back on track as soon as it's safe to do so," he said. "It's a big industry and it will be nice to give the public a bit of sport to watch again." 

Wasting little time in getting his squad to the track, Tim Easterby has six runners at Newcastle, including the highly touted Art Power, and has been waiting patiently for the sport to resume. 

"I've been through bad winters when racing has been off with jump horses and you just have to do what you can, be sensible and look at the rest of the world," said the trainer. "Let's get the show back on the road now and, as long as everyone is sensible, we should be rolling."

Riders too have been itching for racing's return and are fully committed to adhering to the new guidelines and protocols that will be in place from Monday, according to senior rider Rab Havlin. 

"Like everyone in the wider word, we all have bills to pay and it feels like it was a year ago that we were last racing," said the rider. "We can't thank the BHA, PJA, and everybody working behind the scenes enough for getting racing back on the road.

"We're probably a sport that has more guidelines than any other and the rules change every year, but people adapt quickly so I don't think the new measures will be any problem."