Updated Advice to Owners regarding Behind Closed Doors Racing

After the introduction of new restrictions in Wales and the increasing number of areas in England now in Tier Three of Very High Alert Level status,  please see below confirmed guidance to owners.

The BHA is in regular contact with local and national public health officials across the UK. Industry colleagues in Wales have also talked to government ministers and officials in recent days.

As a professional sport, racing can continue behind closed doors in England, Wales and Scotland. Participants are carrying out their work so government guidelines continue to allow travel to and from Tier Three areas, Wales and Scotland.

Participants should be aware of the increased rates of infection and follow government guidelines and racing protocols to protect their own safety and local communities. This is of vital importance to allow racing to demonstrate that it is safe to continue behind closed doors.

Owners are not carrying out their work, so they are in a different position to participants. The relevant government advice is as follows in England:

Tier Three – Government advice is that people should not travel to or from Tier Three areas except for things like work, education or youth services, to meet caring responsibilities or if you are travelling through as part of a longer journey.

It also says:

 You may continue to travel to venues or amenities which are open, for work, or to access education, within a very high alert level area, but you should and aim to reduce the number of journeys you make. If you need to travel we encourage you to walk or cycle where possible, or to plan ahead and avoid busy times and routes on public transport. This will allow you to practise social distancing while you travel.

We expect our participants and owners to follow government advice.

Behind Closed Doors Racing

Only owners with horses racing that day – either individually owned or through a syndicate – are allowed to attend.  Owners may not pass their unused badges to owners without horses competing that day or to other racegoers. This is a breach of the current restriction imposed by the UK, Wales and Scottish governments on spectators attending all sport events behind closed doors, whatever Tier they are in.