Cover image courtesy of Scoop Dyga
Compiled by Paul Vettise
Courtesy of TDN Europe
The French racing community received good news this week with the confirmation that racing will be authorised in Paris on May 11. Paris had been declared a ‘red zone’ under the coronavirus lockdown restrictions in France, but France Galop President Edouard de Rothschild tweeted the positive news on Monday morning.
“We obtained and received from the Prefecture de Police de Paris the authorisation to resume racing on May 11,” de Rothschild tweeted. “This is very good news and a real victory!”
Edouard de Rothschild | Image courtesy of Racing Post
The French government had earlier announced its support of the May 11 resumption of French racing on April 27, as racing comes under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Agriculture, and thus will be able to proceed. Most sports in France are suspended until September.
Next Monday four Group races are carded, the G2 Prix d’Harcourt, G3 Prix la Grotte, G3 Prix de Fontainebleau and the G3 Prix de Saint-Georges. Three racecourses will be running that day without spectators, two in the Paris district–ParisLongchamp and Compiegne. The third racecourse slated to be in operation that day is Toulouse, which will conduct an evening card.
June sale date
The last week of June remains the most likely date for the combined Goffs UK/Arqana combined breeze-up sale. After the Irish Government’s lockdown roadmap was released on Friday and with the UK’s position to become clearer on Thursday, all European breeze-up sales will be discussed with Tattersalls.
The three sales companies are working to harmonise the breeze-up sales calendar and are preparing for more than one outcome as provisional plans pertaining to the resumption of racing in the UK, Ireland are under discussion, with France to begin on May 11.
“We are adapting all the time and continuing to explore all options to ensure we provide the best market place possible,” said Arqana Executive Director Freddy Powell and Goffs UK Managing Director Tim Kent. “This is an evolving situation but we will be ready with a variety of options to inform potential purchasers, whether or not they are able to attend the breeze and/or the sale itself.
“For now our preferred option remains selling at Goffs Kildare Paddocks in the week of June 29 following a breeze at Naas some days before the sale but we do not rule out any alternative that may suit better in due course.”
“For now our preferred option remains selling at Goffs Kildare Paddocks in the week of June 29 following a breeze at Naas some days before the sale." - Freddy Powell and Tim Kent
An online platform will be in place to support the sale and allow bidders to participate via telephone and remotely. Breezes will be conducted either online or with limited attendance and that has resulted in accelerated preparations to provide as much information as is required for absent buyers.
Videos and detailed reports on conformation and veterinary information alongside more analysis of the breezes are likely following feedback from the Federation of Bloodstock Agents.
Facing bankruptcy
Phumelela Gaming and Leisure Ltd, which owns the majority of the racecourses in South Africa, is facing bankruptcy, the Sporting Post has reported.
The company released its unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial results for the six months that ended on January 31, 2020, and reported a loss of R115.1 million (AU$9.6 million). Phumelela may now choose to file for voluntary liquidation.
“As at the date of this results announcement the prospects for horse-racing, other sports events and betting are uncertain and the Board is in no position to provide reliable guidance,” a statement said.
“The group is operating under onerous conditions, much of which is beyond its influence. Phumelela seeks further negotiations with the broader horse racing community to find a resolution to the dire situation in horse racing and agree commercially sustainable solutions.”
Racing was supposed to resume last Friday, but South Africa has continued its lockdown protocols due to the coronavirus. The G1 Horse Chestnut S., G1 South African Derby and G1 South African Oaks, which were rescheduled to May 3 from April 25, are in danger of being lost for the year and have once again been moved, this time to May 10.
Latest from the USA
Breeders’ Cup initiative
Courtesy of TDN America
The Breeders’ Cup has launched a T-Shirt design contest designed to support industry workers in need while simultaneously building momentum for the organisation’s 2020 World Championships.
Fans are invited to create a T-Shirt design to be produced and sold on BreedersCupShop.com. Breeders’ Cup will donate all its proceeds from sales of the winning T-Shirt design to support the various backstretch communities and other industry stakeholders across the country who have been most heavily impacted by COVID-19.
The top five finalists will be unveiled to the public June 1 and fans will then be able to vote for their favourite designs at BreedersCup.com/contest. Total fan votes will be used by a judging panel to select the winning artist, who will be awarded two VIP tickets to the 2020 Breeders’ Cup World Championships at Keeneland on November 6 and 7.
“As we gear up for the 2020 Breeders’ Cup World Championships, we cannot ignore the impact that the pandemic has had on the horse racing industry, especially the backstretch community, which serves as the backbone of our sport,” said Drew Fleming, Breeders’ Cup President and Chief Executive Officer.
“Through the Breeders’ Cup T-Shirt Design Contest, we hope to energise our fans and give them a chance to give back to those in need. We’re excited to see all the creativity our fans have to offer, and we’re incredibly thankful for the opportunity to extend a helping hand to those in need.”
Schedule revamped
Monmouth Park, which has delayed the start of its racing season until July 3, has revised its stakes schedule to include 35 races totalling US$5,050,000 (AU$7.85 million).
The schedule’s traditional anchor race, the US$1 million (AU$1.55 million) GI TVG.com Haskell S. remains scheduled for July 18, but will not be run as an invitational in 2020, rather as a stakes race.
The July 18 card will also feature the GI United Nations S., G3 Monmouth Cup S., G3 Molly Pitcher S., and the G3 WinStar Matchmaker S. Haskell day will include six stakes events worth more than US$2 million (AU$3.1 million).
Monmouth Park | Image courtesy of Sarah Andrew
“We continue to develop plans to ensure the safety of our staff, horsemen and fans,” said Dennis Drazin, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Darby Development LLC, operators of Monmouth Park.
“These plans are fluid and will continuously be monitored and updated as necessary. We have studied other racetracks’ operational plans and are in a position to tailor those to the uniqueness of Monmouth Park and our geographical location as it pertains to the pandemic.
“In the end, all plans are subject to the governor’s approval and we’ll continue to take our cues from his office.”
