Racing To Resume In Ireland On June 8

[Wandering Eyes]

Irish racing has been given the green light by government to resume from Monday, June 8, according to a tweet from Fine Gael politician Peter Burke.

With a cabinet meeting in progress, early on Friday afternoon Burke stated on Twitter, “Horse Racing to return behind closed doors with strict protocols from June 8th. Much needed certainty for the sector.”

The immediate future of horse racing in Ireland was thrown into uncertainty a fortnight ago following an announcement that sporting activities in the country would not be allowed to recommence until the third phase of the Irish government’s ‘roadmap’ for the easing of lockdown restrictions, meaning that it was facing a June 29 comeback at the earliest.

However, lobbying by Horse Racing Ireland (HRI), which set out its plans for returning to a behind-closed-doors scenario with tight biosecurity measures in place, along with a midweek announcement that some equestrian activity can resume in Ireland from Monday, had raised hopes of an earlier return.

Ten race meetings were held behind closed doors in Ireland, with a maximum of 500 people in attendance, between Mar. 13 and 24 until racing was suspended completely amid the COVID-19 lockdown. Racing has been allowed to resume in this manner in Germany on May 7 and in France on May 11. The British Horseracing Authority is working towards a resumption of racing at Newcastle on Monday, June 1.

This story will be updated as further details emerge.

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