Coronavirus

Starting on opening day Friday, Sept. 25, licensed owners with a horse entered may attend the races at Santa Anita. Due to COVID-19, space is limited to two licensed owners per horse. Owners wishing to attend should email Mary Forney, Executive Director of TOC (mforney@toconline.com) to be put on a reservation list each day. Reservations can be made up until 24 hours before race day. For more information, contact her at (626) 826-3782. The quickest and safest way to access Santa Anita Park is to apply for a Virtual Badge...

The British Horseracing Authority released a summary of its 2019 annual report and consolidated financial statements. BHA's Chief Executive Nick Rust opted for the release of an abbreviated version of 2019 to augment the strategic report featured in the accounts. Audited accounts for last season show an operating loss of £767,000--over the budgeted-for deficit of £478,000--and is due, in part, to increased activity including the formation of the Horse Welfare Board. In the summary, Rust reflects on notable events during the year like the equine influenza outbreak, Brexit, the impact...

Owners will be permitted to return to Irish racecourses from Monday in line with the government's medium-term COVID-19 plan published earlier this week. Brian Kavanagh, chief executive of Horse Racing Ireland, said, "We are delighted to confirm that for the first time since Mar. 13, owners will be permitted to return to the racecourse from Monday next. 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...

A COVID-19 spike in Wales's Rhondda Cynon Taf was not the result of last Wednesday's Doncaster pilot event where 2,500 spectators were allowed to attend, Doncaster has said, refuting the Welsh government's accusation. Wales's Health Minister Vaughan Gething indicated that a rugby club outing that made several stops--including the racecourse--caused the lockdown in Wales. "Our contact tracing teams have been able to trace about half of these cases back to a series of clusters within the borough," said Gething. "The rest are evidence of community transmission. There are a number...

The world-renowned Keeneland September Sale has been a long time coming this year. With the coronavirus pandemic canceling and postponing much of the sales season, all eyes are on Lexington this week as Keeneland hosts its first live in-person auction since COVID-19 first hit American shores. Director of Sales Operations Geoffrey Russell joined the TDN Writers' Room podcast presented by Keeneland Wednesday as the Green Group Guest of the Week to discuss the obstacles faced by the company in conducting the sale and his early impressions of the trading. "We've...

Only 474 spectators will be allowed at Warwick's upcoming Monday pilot of racing with spectators, the course announced on Wednesday. Prior to this adjustment downward, the track had been planning for 800 spectators. One of The Jockey Club's courses, Warwick had met with Public Health England which resulted in the spectator reduction. Racing resumed June 1 and, except for a pilot event at Doncaster last Wednesday, has been conducted without fans due to the COVID-19 pandemic. "Following discussions with local authorities and representatives, Warwick Racecourse will welcome up to 474...

Minutes before the start of Book 2 of the annual Keeneland September Yearling Sale, Director of Sales Operations Geoffrey Russell joins the TDN Writers' Room to recap Book 1 and discuss expectations for the remainder of the sale.

A new website was launched by Marlhill House Stud on Wednesday. The site will be a comprehensive platform for buyers to learn about Marlhill House Stud yearlings in advance of the sales, including photos, conformation videos and pedigree information. To view the 10 Marlhill yearlings, split evenly between Tattersalls October Book 1 and Goffs Orby, go to www.marlhillhousestud.com. "We have done our best to move with the times this year by bringing ourselves online with a new website and greater use of social media," said Marlhill House Stud Manager Brian...

The 784-strong Arqana-Osarus October Yearling Sale catalogue is now online. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the sale has been completely restructured combining the Arqana October Yearling Sale and the Osarus September Yearling Sale, running from Oct. 19-Oct. 23. Alumni of the October sale include Group 3 winner and dual Classic bridesmaid The Summit (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), G1 Prix Jean Romanet scorer Audarya (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), MGISW Sistercharlie (Ire) (Myboycharlie {Ire}), G1 French 1000 Guineas runner-up Speak of the Devil (Fr) (Wootton Basset {GB}), and GSWs Policy of...

Crowds of up to 500 people will be possible at Irish racecourses, after the Irish government announced the latest COVID-19 rules on Tuesday. Ireland is at stage 2 in the government's coronavirus alert, which allows for 200 more people at racecourses than previously. If Ireland reaches stage 1, 500 people would allowed, up from 200. If the pandemic worsens and reaches stage 3 or stage 4 in the new grading system, racing would once again go behind closed doors. At stage 5, racing, along with other sports, would cease. "It's...

A 1,000-spectator pilot event at Newmarket on Sept. 24-26 remains greenlit following discussions with local public authorities and the course's safety advisory group. The Department of Culture, Media & Sport approved the racing-with-fans trial, but exacting health and safety measure will be in place. Warwick Racecourse is holding its spectator pilot event on Sept. 21. Earlier this summer, a pilot event at the Qatar Goodwood Festival was called off at the 11th hour, and only the Wednesday, Sept. 9 of the St. Leger Festival at Doncaster allowed fans. The Cambridgeshire...

The Keeneland Fall meet, to be held Oct. 2-24, will be closed to the public due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Keeneland announced via press release Tuesday. Only a limited number of participants and essential personnel will be permitted to attend the live race meet. Keeneland conducted its five-day Summer Meet in July without spectators but did allow a limited number of owners and essential personnel to attend. "The safety of our employees, our participants and our fans remains Keeneland's top priority," Keeneland President and CEO Bill Thomason said. "We...