IRISH racing will take a significant step towards normality on Monday when racehorse owners are allowed to go racing for the first time since mid-March.

In line with new Irish Government guidelines, which now permit racing and other outdoor sports to have a limited number of spectators, Horse Racing Ireland says owners can now return to the track, starting with Listowel and Fairyhouse on Monday.

Two people per owner with a runner on the day will be allowed. Pre-meeting health screening and temperature checks will be required.

HRI chief executive Brian Kavanagh said: “Owners play the most important role in Irish racing and they have had to wait quite some time to return to the racecourse to see their horses run.

“We have always said that getting owners back on the racecourse was our first priority and we have been working closely on this with the Association of Irish Racehorse Owners (AIRO) and their representative Caren Walsh.

“As all key personnel who have been racing behind closed doors since June 8th will testify, these are not race fixtures as we used to know them and, given the ongoing public health risk, it remains as important now as it ever has been, that all those attending racecourses adhere strictly to the race day protocols.

“Since we resumed racing in Ireland, the level of care and compliance with the Covid-19 protocols has been excellent and it is vital that everybody continues to comply with the rules on the racecourse around pre-health screening, social distancing and the wearing of face masks or coverings at all times.”

In correspondence sent directly to owners this week, HRI said a complimentary day pass to Racing TV will be provided to owners who cannot attend when their horse is running.

However, owners have been warned not to expect too much when they finally come through the turnstiles. The letter from HRI’s owner relations manager Aidan McGarry said: “These will not be race fixtures as we have known them to be previously, with very limited access to indoor facilities in order to fall under the “Outdoor Event” description.

“It is very important that everybody in attendance continues to comply with the rules on the racecourse around social distancing and face masks, and the requirements around pre-health screening. The importance and success of this health screening process has been highlighted in recent days and everyone who attends on the day must play their part.”

Regulations

  • Admission is limited to two people (including under -8s) per owner, whether it be a sole owner or racing club.
  • Any of the two people can be guests but everyone attending must follow the same steps as if they were the owner.
  • Arriving at the racecourse each person will need three items - an AIR card, their own individual health screening barcode and their own photo ID.
  • Before attending for the first meeting under these conditions, owners and guests must complete an online health screening questionnaire two days in advance of the meeting.
  • For subsequent visits, only a shorter questionnaire is required to be completed the day before the racemeeting.
  • Owners from counties which are in Level 3 or above of Ireland''s Plan For Living With Covid-19 are not permitted to attend.

    • British plans

    Meanwhile, in Britain Warwick’s pilot meeting on Monday has been given the green light to take place, but with a crowd reduced from a proposed 800 people to 474 spectators.

    As a result, no tickets will go on sale to the general public, with the spaces filled by annual members, hospitality and owners.

    When last week’s pilot scheme at Doncaster was halted after just one day, Warwick reduced their capacity from 1,000 to 800, but following meetings with Public Health England the figure has been further reduced. Warwick is owned by the Jockey Club, like Newmarket, with that track still planning to stage the Cambridgeshire meeting (September 24th-26th) in front of 1,000 racegoers each day.