Racing returning May 15th........??

RivetingRoger

Anyone else hearing this being whispered......?

Andrew00

With the help of God

randylonghorn

I don't mean to spoil anyone's Saturday, but while I could see some easing of restrictions beginning after May 5th, I couldn't see them sanctioning "mass gatherings" for any kind of sports, concerts, etc. for a long time after that.

"Behind closed doors"? Maybe, but would that even be economically viable in racing or most sports?

RivetingRoger

randylonghorn wrote: »

I don't mean to spoil anyone's Saturday, but while I could see some easing of restrictions beginning after May 5th, I couldn't see them sanctioning "mass gatherings" for any kind of sports, concerts, etc. for a long time after that.

"Behind closed doors"? Maybe, but would that even be economically viable in racing or most sports?

Tony Mullins said it on ATR
I would presume would be behind closed doors initially
Which.... For flat racing in Ireland, wouldn't be that big a change anyways!

randylonghorn

RivetingRoger wrote: »

Which.... For flat racing in Ireland, wouldn't be that big a change anyways!

Lol, I'd only go racing the very odd time as a social thing, and I tend to prefer the jumpers if I do, so I have no idea on that really. How would it work tho, bookies getting together to give some sponsorship to the racecourse?

But yes, if the industry can make it work behind closed doors, I could see it resuming a lot sooner. I'd still be a bit doubtful of as early as the 15th, but hey, I don't have crystal balls!!

tryfix

randylonghorn wrote: »

Lol, I'd only go racing the very odd time as a social thing, and I tend to prefer the jumpers if I do, so I have no idea on that really. How would it work tho, bookies getting together to give some sponsorship to the racecourse?

But yes, if the industry can make it work behind closed doors, I could see it resuming a lot sooner. I'd still be a bit doubtful of as early as the 15th, but hey, I don't have crystal balls!!

That would be a week before the Irish Guineas Weekend. Coolmore would be very happy. Wonder if the big UK trainers would be able to take part?

The Tetrarch

Ireland can be ready to race again with a week's notice says Kavanagh - Racing Post website today.
When I hear pronouncements from HRI an image of a glove puppet appears in my head. The business wants the business back in business.

Horse racing was among the last to shut up shop. I would not like to see it being the first to open for business.
A few weeks will not make much difference. I want to see horse racing return, but it can do big damage to itself by being selfish.

I don't think we'll have mass gatherings this year. Maybe racing could happen behind closed doors.

I says

RivetingRoger wrote: »

Anyone else hearing this being whispered......?

Curragh, Naas and navan only allowed as per source. If it is allowed go ahead under limited circumstances.

RivetingRoger

It will certainly only be behind closed doors
That's a given
Will bookie shops open again with max numbers etc?

tatoo

randylonghorn wrote: »

I don't mean to spoil anyone's Saturday, but while I could see some easing of restrictions beginning after May 5th, I couldn't see them sanctioning "mass gatherings" for any kind of sports, concerts, etc. for a long time after that.

"Behind closed doors"? Maybe, but would that even be economically viable in racing or most sports?

There won't be any mass gatherings, of any sort , until a vaccine is sorted and available.
Singapore and Japan are experiencing a potentially very nasty second wave after lifting restrictions, we will have to get racing up and running at some stage, but it's not going to be one of the first priorities, construction will be one of the first sectors being tried back, and then they'll have to see how that goes.

supremenovice

I'd agree about no mass gatherings until the vaccine comes in, which depending who you listen to, could be end of year or end of 2021.
So behind closed doors is our only option for the foreseeable future. I think we'd all take it at this stage, even if it is the Flat :rolleyes:

lemush

2nd or 3rd week of May is the plan, behind closed doors. Realistically whether we like it or not no mass sporting gatherings will take place without a vaccine. Considering how long that will take it could be this time next year, I wouldn't have any inclinations of going to Cheltenham next year that's for sure, no vaccine no crowds.

lemush

RivetingRoger wrote: »

It will certainly only be behind closed doors
That's a given
Will bookie shops open again with max numbers etc?

Zero chance.

blackcard

Live racing behind closed doors in America, Australia and Hong Kong at the moment so I think Ireland will get the go ahead

madmoose

How are they going to get round the travel for the guineas and royal ascot?

tipptom

RivetingRoger wrote: »

Anyone else hearing this being whispered......?

Heard that date too from someone who would be a major player in racing but no one in racing can predict it as its completely out of their hands.

A lot of strings still riding out in preparation for a return but if there is not a bone thrown to them on the 5th for racing behind closed doors before or on the 1st of June then there is going to be a lot of flat horses turned out to be never seen again, and a lot of horses abandoned by syndicates and small owners leaving trainers saddled with outstanding bills and horses they cant keep.

It will be a death knell for the small flat trainers trying to stay in business.

Racing should be one of the first sports back as it is unique in that it can be managed well behind closed doors with no close contact and the horses need to be able to exercise to run and all the preparation that takes.

Same goes for athletics,sailing etc,would be good for the country to see a little bit of normality return IF the numbers remain in control.

Pinesky

Any update on today's announcement

BoldReason

Pinesky wrote: »

Any update on today's announcement

Looks like 29th of June. But not entirely clear so will wait to see what HRI say.

tipptom

25th of may hopefully

BoldReason

https://www.theirishfield.ie/news-racing-hopes-for-may-18th-restart-543722/#.XqxxbxP6hsM.twitter

Looks like they are going to try for 18th of May return during phase 1.
By the government guidelines behind closed doors sporting activity with be June 29th during Phase 3 so be interesting to see what happens.

The Tetrarch

There is a bit of confusion.
The re-opening guidelines say behind door sport will start on 29th June.
The HRI assumed an 18th May start.
It is unclear which it will be.

supremenovice

The government made a dogs dinner of that. Beacuse racing is such a huge industry, it should have been mentioned specifically. I thought Tubs might have brought it up in the interview. No doubt the HRI will lean hard on Kildare TDs to push through for May 15th and I think they'll get it. Then the backlash will begin "if racing can go back, why cant we?"

Itziger

supremenovice wrote: »

The government made a dogs dinner of that. Beacuse racing is such a huge industry, it should have been mentioned specifically. I thought Tubs might have brought it up in the interview. No doubt the HRI will lean hard on Kildare TDs to push through for May 15th and I think they'll get it. Then the backlash will begin "if racing can go back, why cant we?"

You could be right, but somehow I think you're way off. Like a lot of people who have a huge interest in one sport, you seem to think that racing is the exception. It's not. I'm not sure how huge an industry ir is either. I know it's big but you have banks, universities, airlines, football clubs (not so much in Ireland) all queuing up and pleading their case. Don't think racing is near the top of that list tbh.

Andrew00

Racing in France to resume 11th of May

tipptom

supremenovice wrote: »

The government made a dogs dinner of that. Beacuse racing is such a huge industry, it should have been mentioned specifically. I thought Tubs might have brought it up in the interview. No doubt the HRI will lean hard on Kildare TDs to push through for May 15th and I think they'll get it. Then the backlash will begin "if racing can go back, why cant we?"

The HRI should have been working with the minister for agriculture on this as this is the category they are working under and that is their angle to get racing back before the 2000gns here.

Supposed to be an announcement tomorrow and with racing going ahead in France on the 11th and Germany on the 18th and they say Britain should be back on the 15th it should be something for the HRI to point to.

I cant see how the GAA, LOI or Rugby etc could complain as they are a contact sport and Ireland had practically a roadmap on racing behind closed doors before the lockdown which other country's racing boards are using to replicate.

Golf is restarting on the 18th and I don't see why racing could not on acres of a racecourse with the bare jockeys,grooms and a stripped down racecourse staff that can keep social distancing and where I couldn't even get a cup of tea and the jockey could park practically outside the weigh room when it was behind closed doors before the lockdown.

The big negative for the HRI is the perception of Cheltenham this year, but if that is why they want to delay it then it is just for pure spin and spite.

bit of a bogey

Minister of agriculture has played this poorly. There was obviously an announcement coming on friday and the department should have been lobbying hard for the best interests of public safety precautions and racing. But here we are on Tuesday and trainers and owners are still in the dark with no clarity provided. Very poorly managed by the minister and by HRI.

If anything the 18th May doesnt look good. I suspect now that it is the end of june for what is outlined and they are trying to convince otherwise. If it were a May return, I suspect we would have heard by now. Hopefully I'm wrong.

The Tetrarch

There will more acceptance of a restart if racing is already underway in the UK, France, Germany.
Racing does not need the bad publicity it will get if it pushes for racing to start immediately.
I know there are costs involved in a shutdown, but it will look like racing is putting itself above the rest of the population if it gets, or asks for, preferential treatment.

tipptom

bit of a bogey wrote: »

Minister of agriculture has played this poorly. There was obviously an announcement coming on friday and the department should have been lobbying hard for the best interests of public safety precautions and racing. But here we are on Tuesday and trainers and owners are still in the dark with no clarity provided. Very poorly managed by the minister and by HRI.

If anything the 18th May doesnt look good. I suspect now that it is the end of june for what is outlined and they are trying to convince otherwise. If it were a May return, I suspect we would have heard by now. Hopefully I'm wrong.

June the 8th is supposed to be agreed.

Minister of Agriculture was as useless as HRI was in this.
There obviously was no talks before last Friday between Creed and Kavanagh and no communication to trainers.

The Tetrarch

Mark Johnston was interviewed (remotely) on Sky Sports Racing in the last half hour. There was a bit of chat on his leaked e-mails about the BHA.
He also said if the UK starts racing later than France or Ireland he expects horses to move from trainers yards in the UK to where racing is happening.

Itziger

The Tetrarch wrote: »

Mark Johnston was interviewed (remotely) on Sky Sports Racing in the last half hour. There was a bit of chat on his leaked e-mails about the BHA.
He also said if the UK starts racing later than France or Ireland he expects horses to move from trainers yards in the UK to where racing is happening.

For the sake of a couple of weeks??

The Tetrarch

Itziger wrote: »

For the sake of a couple of weeks??

That is what he said. He might be trying to pressurise the BHA.
It could make sense for big owners who have horses with trainers in a few countries to switch.

Rabbit Redux

Anything he says should be taken with a pinch of salt. The same trainer wanted ITV to completely disregard the betting aspect of horse racing when they took over terrestrial coverage from Channel 4.

Earendil

Rabbit Redux wrote: »

Anything he says should be taken with a pinch of salt. The same trainer wanted ITV to completely disregard the betting aspect of horse racing when they took over terrestrial coverage from Channel 4.

He does come across as an angry unpleasant man.

The Tetrarch

Earendil wrote: »

He does come across as an angry unpleasant man.

I have not met him in person, but have sent him e-mails, and received replies.
He will agree or disagree and say so. No sitting on the fence.
He read what I wrote, asked questions, and got a reply.
I think his directness is probably because he has so many horses and staff, and not a lot of time for discussion.

BoldReason

June 29th unless something comes to a head in the meantime by the looks of it.

https://twitter.com/BarryLenihan/status/1258425660542005254?s=19

kksaints

https://twitter.com/BarryLenihan/status/1258425660542005254?s=20

supremenovice

Wow. Massive ramifications there for the industry if that plays out. Particularly if British racing goes ahead before us meaning our horses will be well behind theirs and even may miss taking on the British and French Classics. I wonder what the revised schedule will look like if thats the case. Guineas weekend first weekend back? August Derby? Our horses miss Royal Ascot, which is still scheduled for June?

Motivator

If this doesn’t bring an end to Kavanagh’s reign in HRI then nothing will. His one chance to earn that paycheck that’s almost as big as his waistline and he spends his days tweeting google image searched pictures of Ardmore in Co. Waterford. The man is an utter disgrace and it’s time he’s shown the door.

The Tetrarch

My guess is there is no problem running Irish horses abroad.
If they want to run at Ascot, Epsom, or Chantilly they could fly them out as usual, or they could fly them out weeks beforehand and train them abroad.
I'll admit I haven't read the regulations, but horses have and are being travelled for breeding.

supremenovice

Watching the Mayday documentary on RTE tonight will put things in perspective all the same. A few weeks more to forego horse racing, despite the extra millions it may cost, will be worth it to save an unknown number of lives.

show me the money.1

Email from HRI this morning saying they are hoping to have the restrictions lifted earlier that scheduled in the government's roadmap.

Rodin

How will horse racing go ahead when the 20km travel limit is not due to be lifted until 3rd week of July?

kksaints

Rodin wrote: »

How will horse racing go ahead when the 20km travel limit is not due to be lifted until 3rd week of July?

Probably through the exemption given for people travelling to work.

Rodin

kksaints wrote: »

Probably through the exemption given for people travelling to work.

Hardly an essential service and presumably will be closed tracks.
Some people's families are more than 20k away and won't be visitable until 20th July.

All sounds quite unfair to me.

tatoo

Rodin wrote: »

Hardly an essential service and presumably will be closed tracks.
Some people's families are more than 20k away and won't be visitable until 20th July.

All sounds quite unfair to me.

Mares are being travelled up and down and across the country every day ( under strict provisos ) , hardly essential either you could say, but essential if we want foals in the country next spring.
Its essential imo to get racing back up and running, to protect the direct and indirect jobs associated with it, and also to provide a market and outlet for the stock already on the ground and in the pipeline.

supremenovice

tatoo wrote: »

Mares are being travelled up and down and across the country every day ( under strict provisos ) , hardly essential either you could say, but essential if we want foals in the country next spring.

Funny you should mention, I passed a Godolphin box going south on the M7 at Portlaoise yesterday morning. A Godolphin mare going to meet a Coolmore stallion?

tipptom

supremenovice wrote: »

Funny you should mention, I passed a Godolphin box going south on the M7 at Portlaoise yesterday morning. A Godolphin mare going to meet a Coolmore stallion?

The cold war ended a good while back!!

I says

RivetingRoger wrote: »

Anyone else hearing this being whispered......?

Pm sent

irish_major

Anyone have any update?

Complete disgrace by the HRI

longshotvalue

irish_major wrote: »

Anyone have any update?

Complete disgrace by the HRI

Its not up to the HRI.