How will coronavirus Impact racing?

We had the sad update that racing would be cancelled earlier this week.

After firstly saying it would take place behind closed door due to coronavirus. Realistically this is for the best. Just a shame especially with the big meetings coming up.

Irish racing first announced that they'd be racing behind closed doors, the first meeting being Dundalk. The images from the racecourse make it look like a ghost town. This was followed by Kelso. It was thought that all racing would go to be like this; instead it has been closed down.

It's uncertain as to when this will be lifted. These closures came after the rumour mill saying there was hope for the Lincoln meeting, the start of the flat and one of the biggest days of the calendar. Even if it's not open for the mass public, each owner would have reportedly receive one badge per horse instead of the normal complimentary six.

A bigger blow was the Grand National being cancelled. This much anticipated meeting due to the sheer number of tickets sold isn't happening. People all had the same question on the tip of their tongues: will Tiger Roll complete the treble. Gordon Elliot has however said it's more than likely he will come back next year.

The impact of the coronavirus on racing has suffered a big backlash as not only are caterers losing money. The bigger chains of bookmakers can take the hit but there's much concern for independent old style bookmakers with their stands, as without punters there will be economic issues. There are serious worries for the people in the yards as they simply have to turn up to work to look after the horses. The horses also are raring to go but can't.

This is a very uncertain time for everyone, even those who aren't in the industry. We can only hope that racing will return as soon as it's safe to. Ireland are still continuing behind closed doors giving us racing enthusiasts some rest bite.