RCA Statement on Postponement of Pilot Programme & Crowd Resumption

The Racecourse Association (RCA) is deeply disappointed to confirm that following Government instruction, all elite sporting pilot events with crowds will be postponed until further notice.

This includes the Cambridgeshire Meeting due to take place this Thursday at Newmarket Racecourse which will now be run behind closed doors.

In the past week, BHA Chairman Annamarie Phelps had represented horseracing at a meeting between DCMS and elite sports to put forward the urgent economic case for spectators to be allowed to return to racecourses. This remains our strong message to Government.

Recent pilot events at both Doncaster and Warwick have proven successful and demonstrate that the sport can work to both nationally and locally set guidelines to protect our participants, spectators and the wider public. The learnings of these pilot events will be shared with all racecourses to ensure that once able, racing will be amongst the first to return with spectators.

David Armstrong, Chief Executive of the RCA, commented “the news that all elite sporting pilot events are to be postponed is incredibly disappointing. The sport has worked tirelessly to develop protocols to allow spectators to safely enjoy a day’s racing and early indications from our pilot events are that these were a success.

“All sports are suffering from the effect of zero admissions income and racing is no different. It is imperative that discussions continue with Government to highlight the economic impact of this decision.

“My thoughts are with Amy Starkey and the team at Newmarket—this news will be difficult to take following weeks of work to prepare the site for customers.”