Classics could be rescheduled – Delloye

Rivals Publishing
March 18, 2020 3:15 pm

France Galop's chief executive Olivier Delloye admits this year's Classics may have to be run on different dates due to Covid-19.

The coronavirus pandemic is having a worldwide effect on both sporting and non-sporting events and, at this moment in time, things are expected to get worse before they get better.

France’s ruling racing body confirmed on Monday that all meetings in the country between March 17 and April 15 have been postponed, while the UK suspended all racing until the end of April.

Delloye has now spoken about the possibility of the Classics being rescheduled, with the French 2000 and 1000 Guineas at ParisLongchamp due to be run on May 10 while the French Derby and French Oaks at Chantilly are set for May 31 and June 14 respectively.

Asked whether those major races could be rescheduled if required, he told Sky Sports Racing: ‘Yes, most likely.

That’s the sort of work that is being done with the team at France Galop.

‘They are building some different scenarios, depending on when racing can resume – and at what date we can set the main Classics in the calendar, and what sort of races we could introduce.

‘It’s being worked out.

I can’t tell you more at the moment, because it is at the preliminary stages, but that is one of the priorities on the table at the moment.’