Coronavirus

The minimum prize money amounts allowed under the Rules of Racing for the first 10 weeks of British racing have been published, the British Horseracing Authority announced on Thursday. After a £15.7 million contribution from the Horserace Betting Levy Board (HBLB), racing's leaders have agreed to minimum values which will exceed, on average, 80% of the previously permitted minimum levels, with an emphasis of supporting prize money levels at the middle and grassroots level of the sport to retain as many owners and horses-in-training as possible. Group 1 Flat races...

Tattersalls and Goffs have agreed to a set of safety protocols to be utilised on farms during upcoming yearlings inspections, the two sales companies announced in a joint statement on Thursday. These inspections will begin on May 18, as a phased return of outdoor workers will then be allowed by the British and Irish governments as the coronavirus restrictions ease. These safety protocols will be closely followed by both companies' inspection teams and comply with all government guidance related to social distancing, hand sanitation, and the wearing of appropriate PPE...

Officials at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, CA, announced late Wednesday afternoon that the track has received approval from the Los Angeles County Health Department to resume safe live racing beginning this Friday, May 15, as part of Los Angeles County's revision of its 'Safer at Home' guidelines. Racing will be conducted without spectators and with essential personnel following strict protocols to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus. "We are very grateful for the open and continuous communication with both the Health Department and Supervisor Kathryn Barger's office," said...

Addressing the plight of the state's racetracks on Tuesday, Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf laid out a difficult path that must be followed before the state's three Thoroughbred tracks can start running again. As is the case with many governors, Wolf has put forth a plan that calls for the state to reopen in stages, in Pennsylvania's case red, yellow and green phases. While horsemen have advocated that racing, without spectators, should be among the first businesses in the state to reopen, Wolf said the tracks cannot resume racing until their...

Celebrity chef, noted owner/breeder and Breeders' Cup Ambassador Bobby Flay and the National Hockey League's Erik Johnson are the featured guests on a 'Pucks, Ponies and Pasta' edition of 'Cocktails and Conversation,' scheduled for 6 p.m. ET across Breeders' Cup platforms at Twitter, YouTube and Facebook. Nick Luck and Britney Eurton host the recurring virtual happy hour series, which is helping to raise funds for horse racing and service industry COVID-19 relief efforts. Click here to learn more, donate and view past editions of Cocktails and Conversation. This week's featured...

Officials on the American Graded Stakes Committee (AGCS) of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association (TOBA) have announced that it will lower certain required minimum purses for graded stakes races for the balance of 2020. In arriving at their decision, the AGCS took into account that the stoppage of racing and the closure of casino operations in North America are negatively impacting purse accounts as well as the ability to fund graded stakes. For the remainder of 2020, the threshold purse money for Grade I races is being lowered from...

Oaklawn Park owner and president Louis Cella discusses the challenges and logistics of running a race meet in the coronavirus era.

The Italian Classics have been provisionally scheduled and close on May 14 at noon, Jour de Galop reported on Wednesday. The €154,000 G3 Premio Parioli (Italian 2000 Guineas) and €154,000 G3 Premio Regina Elena (Italian 1000 Guineas) are slated for Sunday, June 7. The €704,000 G2 Derby Italiano will be held on June 21 and the €407,000 G2 Premio Oaks d'Italia seven days later on June 28. An actual date for the resumption of Italian racing has not been given, although the date of May 19 has been discussed, as...

The Irish Thoroughbred Breeze-Up Marketing Support Scheme was launched by ITM on Wednesday.  Consisting of a €30 financial contribution per horse toward the cost of pre-sale confirmation videos and digital content, the idea is to assist Irish breeze-up consignors with digitally marketing their stock. The contribution is available for those breeze-up consignors that engage the services of a recognised professional videographer to create video and photo content that complies with pre-set standards relation to quality and content. The €30/horse contibution will be paid to the relevant videographer, on behalf of...

Oaklawn Park, which is scheduled to reopen its casino May 18 at 9:00 a.m., outlined the guidelines which will be implemented to facilitate the reopening process. The casino has been closed since Mar. 16 as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. "We are fully prepared to meet or exceed all recommended health and hygiene protocols," said General Manager Wayne Smith. "While we understand this timing might not be right for some people, just know we will be ready and safe for you when you are. The health and safety of...

With Los Angeles County's stay-at-home order expected to be extended until July, officials at Santa Anita said that they still remain optimistic about opening this Friday with strict protocols in place to prevent the spread of coronavirus. "We remain optimistic about running on Friday," said Mike Willman, the director of publicity at Santa Anita. Track officials said that that would be the only statement the track would offer Tuesday. L.A. County's Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer said that the order would "with all certainty" be extended for the next three...

Few felt the jarring absence of the GI Kentucky Derby, or indeed any racing at all, on the first Saturday in May at Churchill Downs more acutely than a Louisville native. Add to that being a horseman who relies on the track's customary spring/summer meet to make your living, throw in having a Derby hopeful in your barn to boot, and one can understand why longtime Churchill-based trainer Greg Foley was so excited to be back home this week, with racing set to resume Saturday beneath the Twin Spires. "It's...