Four Owners Per Horse Allowed in Britain by Good Friday

There was a further boost for owners March 23 before their return to the track in England and Scotland next week, with Arena Racing Company revealing that up to four owners per runner will be permitted to attend All-Weather Championships Finals Day at Lingfield on Good Friday and the lucrative fixture at Newcastle the same afternoon.

Two owners per horse are set to be allowed back on racecourses from March 29 as the sport takes a step back towards pre-pandemic conditions, with the British Horseracing Authority aiming to increase access to a maximum of six owners per horse from April 12.

However, after gaining dispensation from local authorities, the fixtures at Lingfield and Newcastle April 2 will be allowed to accommodate four owners for each runner.  

"We have been pleased to work with the local authorities at both Newcastle and Lingfield, alongside the BHA, to allow four owners per runner to attend the All-Weather Finals Day meetings on Good Friday," said Arc's racing division manager Mark Spincer.

"Given the nature of the day, and the space we can utilize at both Lingfield and Newcastle, we are delighted that we can offer this for owners to attend in slightly higher numbers ahead of the next stage of general relaxation in April."

Spincer said it was unlikely owners would be permitted to attend the fixtures at either Ffos Las April 1 or Chepstow April 5 in line with current guidelines from the Welsh government. 

"The regulations regarding owners returning to racecourses next week related to England and Scotland only," he added. "We are working closely with the relevant authorities in Wales with regards upcoming meetings at Ffos Las and Chepstow, but it is unlikely that we will be able to welcome owners on site at the two fixtures in early April."