Resumption of Racing Group Update

We are writing with an update on the planning that is being coordinated in relation to the resumption of racing. These changes will be reflected in the revised Covid-19 Operational Plan, which will be published early next week.

The focus of this planning is on the conditions that would need to be met in order to ensure resumption of racing at the earliest opportunity.

This involves a range of interrelated considerations, including operational planning on the racecourse, the ability of horsemen to service fixtures, the scheduling and rescheduling of appropriate fixtures and races, as well as the need to ensure that regulatory requirements can be met so that racing can take place safely.

We have now brought all of this together into a single Resumption of Racing workstream, where previously we had two groups - one looking at the operational, logistical and regulatory requirements, with the other focused on planning the most appropriate fixtures and race programme.

Brant Dunshea is leading the group, with the support of Richard Wayman and other BHA executives as required. Caroline Davies and Andy Clifton will represent the RCA. Horsemen will be represented by Ralph Beckett and Seamus Mullins from the NTF, and Charlie Parker for the ROA. Tom Byrne from the Levy Board is also a member of the Group.

As the Group’s work progresses numerous parties will be engaged, including RaceTech, on-course bookmakers & the HWPA. The team will also liaise with RMG and TRP to incorporate the needs of broadcasters and the betting industry. The RCA will ensure appropriate links are in place with The Jockey Club, ARC, large and small independent racecourses and Scottish Racing.

We are already anticipating that the initial return to racing is likely to be phased and almost certainly behind closed doors. This reflects the likelihood that any easing of the Covid-19 situation, and any associated restrictions and pressures on medical services, will also happen progressively.

With that in mind, we also expect any return to racing to begin, at least initially, with Flat racing, principally for reasons of safety and to minimise demands on emergency services. While every effort will be made to subsequently resume Jumping at the earliest opportunity, possibly with the scheduling of some Jumpers’ Bumpers cards, it may assist Jumps trainers to judge whether horses can/should be turned out or kept in training.

The priorities of the Group are as follows:

• To develop a resumption plan that appropriately reflects government advice in place at the time, including the pressures on the health service and public services generally, offering a range of options that can be adapted as required.
• To coordinate detailed operational planning for a return to racing.
• To maintain the resilience of regulatory services – stewarding, veterinary and integrity, to prepare for resumption.
• To ensure that an appropriate fixture and race programme is in place for racing’s resumption.
• To liaise with the betting industry and ensure they are engaged around the revised fixture programme and integrated into planning for the resumption of racing.
• To ensure that the needs of broadcasters are recognised at an industry level and can be factored into the redesign of the racing programme.
• To ensure racing’s administrative systems and processes are able to resume racing at the earliest possible opportunity.
• To engage the HBLB around the fixture programme, to identify prize money requirements and coordinate these in concert with the money workstream above.

Ruth Quinn from the BHA, with the support of a sub-group of Flat Pattern Committee members, will lead a separate but related piece of work on the planning of the Pattern, as well as international engagement in consultation with all relevant industry bodies.

We want to assure you that our main priority is to be ready for a resumption of racing as quickly as possible. The current suspension of racing runs until the end of April and the Group is planning for a resumption from the 1st of May.

The Group is focused on innovation and creativity and are considering any and all options that could be implemented quickly under a range of possible scenarios.

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you wish to discuss any aspect of this work further.

Many thanks,
Brant Dunshea, on behalf of the Resumption of Racing Group