My open letter to the British Horseracing Authority

After talking to some owners and trainers all I'm hearing since owners have been allowed back is complaints. They understand that these are the steps that need to occur for getting back to normal but the situation is far from perfect.

To get racing you have to jump through numerous hoops. Including: at least one member of the party filling out the Coronavirus protocol; inform the racecourse and make sure all your details and the other person you attend with are on the list to be let in. These, however, are understandable.

Then when you get to the racecourse it is largely common sense social distancing and having your temperature taken. Yet you're only allowed to be there a minimum 45 minutes before and an hour after your race. Surely, with all the space on a racecourse which is more than adequate for social distancing, there could be a full day made of the races for the owners.

These people are the backbone of racing and aren't being treated correctly. As one Twitter user Kaz, said: "As an owner why would you want to go racing if you can’t access parade ring or winners enclosure? Might as well stay at home. Owners are funding the sport and this is how they’re treated."
Owners can't even properly debrief with the jockey and yet the BHA are scratching their head as to why more owners don't partake.

Furthermore, no facilities including bars and restaurants are open which are a quintessential part of racing. This can easily be done on any scale by allowing a table to be allocated to each owner with social distancing and having plenty of staff on hand. One owner Mrs Sarah Bryan said: " They have all your details and know how many people are doing but yet they can't let people stay for longer or open any of the facilities."

I think that the idea for Goodwood allowing the public in is ghastly. The owners who have been paying their bills, kept their horses in training and supporting stables from afar are simply being neglected. If this does not change I struggle to see anyone who will buy new horses or continue pumping money into the sport.

Until the BHA sort out a plan of action I can't see the point of going racing, for many owners, this isn't the atmosphere they expect. Gone are the nice days out and the memories from my childhood of screaming horse home and taking selfies with jockeys. This is slowly becoming less like the sport that so many love.

Racing round up

There's been an awfully busy couple of weeks for us to look back on. Especially now racings back in Scotland too. Here are some of the best moments and the questionable ones too.

Leicester races going ahead on Wednesday evening faced some controversy. Personally, I think it was an awful decision. As racing already faced much backlash for Cheltenham going ahead. I was not alone in this with trainer Nikki Evans saying: "Is racing at Leicester today a really good idea in the light of new cases, and a lockdown?" Also, people saying they couldn't see how this was essential travel. The BHA has done a great job of keeping the whole industry safe, I hope this was the right decision.

It was announced earlier this week that owners would be allowed back racing from the 4 July. With only two from each horse, their temperatures being checked and time limiters of how long you can be on course. There's another list of requirements from the BHA which can be found on their website. But I myself struggle to see the point as the atmosphere is not the same so will not be partaking in this. However, it is a step in the right direction to get resumption of normal racing back.

The race for champion jockey has started off close this year with reigning champ Oisin Murphy having a narrow lead of three wins over Ben Curtis. The third-place currently is Tom Marquand with 26 wins. This should make for an interesting competition this year. I'm hoping that Hollie Doyle will finish near the top of the leader board. Her talent simply is up there with the best of the best. It'll be interesting to see which new young talent is prominent in the Champion Apprentice race.

Another recent ruling from the BHA was that jockeys do not have to wear face masks during the race. I'm sure this was well received from the jockeys as they were having issues with the goggles steaming and some having trouble breathing.

Jumps are back! And with this came some shocks at Southwell with Olly Murphy having a four-timer. He thanked his staff for their continuous hard work. But the first race win went to Harry Cobden on Nineohtwooneoh. This was an easy 10 length win and a nice welcome back for the jumps.

The INCREDIBLE Hollie Doyle needs a further mention for her Thursday night feat. Wherefrom six rides, she had FOUR, yes four winners and two seconds. She's simply on fire and I hope this momentum keeps going for her.

Additionally, what a weekend we have upcoming with the Epsom Derby, the Oaks as well as the French derby and oaks and the Eclipse. Let's see what the best horses provide including Enable. Also, let's see what some of the jockeys who haven't ridden in these races before like Harry Bentley and Ben Curtis are capable of and if they can handle the pressure.