Coronavirus

The New York Racing Association, Inc. has announced race dates for the 27-day Belmont fall meet, including 38 stakes worth $5.58 million in purse money, that will kick off Friday, Sept. 18 and run through Sunday, Nov. 1. Following opening weekend at Belmont, live racing will be conducted Thursday through Sunday with the exception of Columbus Day weekend, when live racing will be offered Monday, Oct. 12 and return Friday, Oct. 16. The Belmont Park fall meet has traditionally opened on the Friday following Labor Day. Due to the continued...

Arqana has announced that its Select Sale, which had been rescheduled from August to September 24 to 26, will now be brought forward by a little over a fortnight to the new date of September 8 to 10. The change is a result of the recent imposition of a new 14-day quarantine requirement on travellers to the UK from France, which would not allow participants at the major European yearling sales to attend the three major sales at Arqana, Goffs and Tattersalls. A statement released by the French sale company...

The Irish government has extended its racing-behind-closed-doors policy until at least Sept. 13, Racing Post reported on Tuesday. As a result, owners remain barred from Irish courses for the time being as a result of Taoiseach Micheal Martin's announcement. Originally, in phase four of Ireland's  reopening process the limit on people allowed at an outdoor event was going to increase from 200 to 500 on Aug. 31. Horse Racing Ireland Chief Executive Brian Kavanagh told Racing Post, "We have said all along that owners are the first priority and there...

Kentucky Downs will conduct racing without spectators at the track's upcoming meet due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Ticket purchases through Kentucky Downs on-line box office will be refunded. "With the surge in cases in Kentucky and Tennessee, we feel it's in our guests' best interest and the state's best interest to not have spectators," said Ted Nicholson, Kentucky Downs' Senior Vice President and General Manager. "No one is more disappointed than us to have to make this difficult call. We know our unique meet, with its full fields and country-fair...

After feedback from owners, trainers and other industry members, the owner experience in the UK has been enhanced, the British Horseracing Authority announced on Monday. The BHA, along with the Racehorse Owners Association (ROA), Racecourse Association (RCA) have agreed to several changes to enhance the owner experience on raceday, despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The measures are as follows: Good communication--racecourses will send timely communications regarding badges, entry requirements and amenities available on course prior to attendance. Badge allocation--most racecourses are offering an increased number of badges per declared horse,...

Jockeys who go through the Kentucky Derby Week protocols at Churchill Downs will be allowed to ride during the upcoming Kentucky Downs meet if they have proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken when offered at the Louisville track Sept. 3. Jockeys who choose to leave the state of Kentucky after the Derby will not be allowed to return for racing at Kentucky Downs until they can show a negative COVID test taken no farther out than 72 hours prior to returning to Kentucky. In addition, they will be required...

Keeneland and Fasig-Tipton released a list of safety protocols, which include the requirement for many participants to receive a negative COVID-19 test, Monday ahead of the two companies' upcoming yearling sales. "Keeneland and Fasig-Tipton are committed to providing the safest environment possible for both horses and humans on our grounds during the September sales," Keeneland President and CEO Bill Thomason and Fasig-Tipton President Boyd T. Browning, Jr. said in a joint statement. "Given the proximity of our two sales in terms of both dates and locations, it is important that...

George Rooke, an apprentice jockey riding for Richard Hughes, has been suspended seven days after riding several races under an incorrect claim, the British Horseracing Authority announced on Monday. Rooke has had five winners removed from his record after failing to report three winners from Jersey in the summer of 2019, and he was thus claiming too much weight for a period of time. He was also disqualified from 19 of the 26 races in question. An enquiry was held by the BHA with evidence given on July 23. Due...

The Maryland Jockey Club will require all jockeys who rode during the abbreviated meet at Colonial Downs to undergo a 14-day quarantine period beginning Aug. 13 and a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours before returning to any MJC facility. The same protocols are in place for all dormitory residents who were at Colonial Downs. Colonial Downs announced it was ending its 2020 meeting Friday due to coronavirus concerns. "The MJC considers the health and safety of our team, horsemen and riders as our number one focus," MJC President...

Colonial Downs has canceled the remainder of its 2020 meeting due to COVID-19, it was announced Friday evening. Colonial Downs canceled racing Tuesday and Wednesday after leading jockey Trevor McCarthy tested positive for COVID-19, per a report in Daily Racing Form. "Colonial Downs Group places the health and safety of our team, partners and visitors as our top priority," a statement from Colonial Downs read. "We established thorough protocols prior to the 2020 racing season to address any issues that may arise from the coronavirus pandemic. As a result of...

Saratoga Race Course's jockey safety protocols and travel restrictions that were established July 14 will remain in place throughout the end of the meeting. It was announced earlier Friday morning that Churchill Downs will be requiring that all jockeys be in the state by Aug. 31 who will be riding in the GI Kentucky Derby. "The NYRA policy instituted on July 14 to address jockey travel and mitigate the spread of COVID-19 will remain in place through the end of the 2020 summer meet at Saratoga Race Course," Pat McKenna,...

The Texas Thoroughbred Association has announced that registration is now open for online bidding on the Aug. 24 Texas Summer Yearling and Horses of Racing Age Sale at Lone Star Park. Buyers must register in advance and submit a credit reference form in order to bid online. Registrations are now being accepted at www.ttasales.com. "We are very excited to offer the option to bid online, and we encourage all interested bidders to register well in advance of the sale," said Tim Boyce, sales director. "We are also taking all the...