Newmarket scraps crowd pilot plans

Cambridgeshire meeting to take place behind closed doors.

Crowds returning to racecourses appear further away than ever after it was confirmed Newmarket’s pilot scheme this week has been abandoned on Government advice.

Flat racing’s Headquarters was all set to play host to 1,000 spectators over each of the three days of the meeting, which begins on Thursday.

However, due to a rising coronavirus rate in large parts of the UK, Prime Minister Boris Johnson has taken steps in an attempt to slow it down.

As a result, plans to introduce spectators gradually back into sporting venues from October 1 have been placed on hold.

A statement on Newmarket’s website read: “Following guidance that the Government’s programme of spectator pilots has been postponed, the Cambridgeshire Meeting will take place at the Rowley Mile 24th to 26th September as a behind closed doors fixture.

“This will be limited to participants, racehorse owners and essential raceday personnel observing the existing strict health and safety protocols that have been in place across British Racing since the sport resumed without spectators on June 1.”

The Government decision to put the return of crowds on hold comes as a huge blow to racing, just 24 hours after a successful pilot event at Warwick on Monday was attended by around 450 spectators.

Earlier this month, Doncaster was all set to allow a restricted crowd to its St Leger meeting – but even before the end of a successful first day, the local Public Health Authority put a stop to the final three days of crowds.

Previously, Goodwood’s hopes of hosting 5,000 at the final day of its big meeting in July were also dashed in similar circumstances.

All cancelled pilot events came at huge costs to the racecourses involved.

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