Coronavirus

Thoroughbred racing resumed in Wuhan, China on Oct. 1. Racing had been halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic which originated in the region. A crowd of 3,000 fans were allowed to attend the races, with masks and strict social distancing measures enforced. The first race of the five-race card was the China Cup (video), which went to Ashraf (Ire) (Cape Cross {Ire}) in track-record time. Racecourse announcer Wen Li proclaimed, "Wuhan racing, we are back."

The Indiana Horse Racing Commission has approved two additional 2020 racing dates for Indiana Grand at their regular monthly meeting Thursday, Oct. 1. The two dates will be included on the final week of racing, increasing the schedule to 92 days for Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse action and a total of 96 days overall, adding in four days dedicated to all-Quarter Horse racing. The two additional dates added to the schedule will be Monday, Nov. 16 and Thursday, Nov. 19, which will become the new closing date for the 18th...

As the  realities of the coronavirus started to spread across California and the country, the team at Santa Anita wasn't sure how to prepare for what could have quickly escalated into a dire situation for the track and the sport. But what began as a scramble of sorts led to a well-coordinated plan. Racing would successfully return to the historic Southern California track and with an innovative wrinkle. During the racing week, the jockeys were required to live in a bubble in campers situated on track. What might at first...

Jockey Irad Ortiz Jr., America's leading jockey, has tested positive for COVID-19, the jockey confirmed in a phone call Wednesday afternoon. The news was first reported by Dave Grening of the Daily Racing Form. Ortiz, who had been serving two consecutive five-day suspensions for careless riding July 3 and 31 at Belmont and Saratoga, respectively, said that he was asymptomatic. He rode his last race Sept. 16 at Kentucky Downs, and had not ridden in New York since Sept. 7, the last day of the Saratoga meeting. "I'm feeling good,"...

The Meadowlands Racetrack, a top harness racing venue in New Jersey, temporarily shut down starting Tuesday evening after several employees tested positive for COVID-19. Live racing will take place as scheduled Friday, but without fans. The facility will reopen to fans Saturday at 10 a.m. The following is part of a statement the track release Tuesday evening: "The racetrack continues to take an aggressive stance against the spread of COVID-19. Over the past several days the medical team has identified a few individuals that tested positive for COVID-19 that they...

The National Steeplechase Association (NSA) announced Tuesday that the fall season's first sanctioned race meet, The Foxfield Fall Races, will take place Sunday, Oct. 4 in Charlottesville, VA. While the races will run without spectators and under strict health and safety protocols, the NSA will livestream the races, feature commentary from the industry's experts and strong competition by steeplechasing's top horsemen. In making the announcement, NSA President Al Griffin said, "This year has provided plenty of challenges for our sport, yet we continue to persevere. Despite the onerous regulations and...

Following a submission to Public Health England, there is now an addition to the British Horseracing Authority's Elite Traveller Exemption (ETE) protocols for elite sportspeople and essential support staff, which is effective immediately. The ETE applies for frequent travellers for competition in a country not covered by the travel corridor exemption, thus jockeys, trainers and stable staff who make frequent trips abroad for competition at COVID-19 secure venues in non-exempt countries may choose to register for a "Frequent Private Traveller" (FPT) option. This ruling will directly benefit the jockeys, trainers...

DONCASTER, UK—It's crunch time for the European yearling market, with both Ireland's and Britain's major auctions being staged in the next fortnight. The major obvious difference is the relocation of the Orby Sale, which takes place over the next two days, to Doncaster. An expected difference, however, is a reduction in trade from some of the boom years the bloodstock market has enjoyed since the recovery from the major recession of 2008. Considering the unprecedented backdrop to the sales calendar of 2020, the breeze-up sector and the early yearling sales...

British jockeys may yet be exempt from two weeks of self-isolation after competing at ParisLongchamp on Arc Weekend Oct. 3-4. The British Horseracing Authority is making a submission to Public Health England on Tuesday. Currently due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, anyone traveling back from France is required to self-isolate for seven days under the elite sportsperson's exemption rather than the normal fortnight. If the exemption is allowed, stable staff and trainers would also be included along with jockeys. If the exemption is not granted, many high profile riders would...

Tattersalls Cheltenham will not be hosting the rest of its 2020 sales fixtures at Cheltenham Racecourse due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Instead, the Cheltenham November Sale will take place at Fairyhouse in Ireland on Nov. 12. Park Paddocks will host the Cheltenham December Sale on Dec. 3 and there will be an alternative Cheltenham December Sale back at Fairyhouse on Dec. 17. The Oct. 23 Tattersalls Cheltenham October Sale has been cancelled. "Whilst we naturally look forward to returning to Cheltenham Racecourse as soon as restrictions allow, this solution...

The inaugural November P2P Sale, scheduled for Nov. 6, was announced by Goffs on Monday. The sale will offer Irish and UK pointers, as well as bumper horses and young horses with form at either Kildare Paddocks in Ireland or the Doncaster Sales Complex in the UK, depending on COVID-19 restrictions. "With the latter part of 2019-20 point-to-point season cancelled, as well as our highly successful Aintree and Punchestown Sales, we have been working to find a solution to get our P2P sales back up and running," said Goffs Group...

With the yearling sales now in full swing, TDN quizzes industry figures on past purchases, life during lockdown and their perspective on the sales over the next few weeks. Today, Alex Elliott answers our questions. TDN: What was your best yearling purchase over the last few years? And your favourite? AE: Group 2 winner New Mandate (Ire) (New Bay {GB}) is a horse that has quickly become both one of my favourite and best purchases. He was bought at last year's Arqana August Yearling Sale for €35,000 and was the...