Compiled by Paul Vettise
New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing has confirmed its plan and funding model when racing returns from its coronavirus-forced break on July 3.
With the assistance of working groups of trainers and clubs, NZTR has developed a return to racing program, which includes a flat stakes level of NZ$15,000 for all races at 13 meetings during July.
In addition, the following initiatives will also be introduced with the focus on reducing costs and spreading returns for owners:
- To ensure a wider distribution of stakes to more owners, payments will be made back to 14th.
- No nomination/acceptance fees for any starters.
- Meetings scheduled to be held closer to the horse population.
- Race programming during July only will allow for open nominations to ensure those horses entered are able to gain a start.
A return to racing in New Zealand includes a flat stakes level of NZ$15,000 for all races at 13 meetings during July
“We understand that this is a different approach, but NZTR recognised this as an opportunity to provide some innovation and flexibility around the payment of stakes to owners, trainers and jockeys during July,” NZTR said in a statement.
“Confirmation of RITA’s transitional funding to the codes follows discussions with codes and industry consultation on a draft racing calendar for a resumption of racing.
“The distribution from RITA reflects the reduced racing over the period and the phased return to racing for each code.”
“The distribution from RITA reflects the reduced racing over the period and the phased return to racing for each code.” - NZTR Statement
NZTR and the other codes are also working with RITA on funding and race dates for the 2020/21 season and further updates on these issues will be provided in the future.
“This has been a testing time for all our participants and NZTR thanks you for your patience while we have worked through this process for the resumption of racing in July,” NZTR said.
New Zealand horses are back in training under alert Level 3
“It was pleasing to see our horses back at the training track under alert Level 3 this week and we appreciate the work of those at the coalface who are implementing the protocols at training tracks and race clubs across the country.
“We will continue to keep you informed through regular communication on our website and weekly updates from the CEO via our social channels.”
Latest from the US
Hoping for May return
Courtesy of TDN America
Santa Anita will target May 15 for the resumption of live racing under strict protocols with no fans present, according to a letter issued by track management Wednesday.
The TDN obtained a copy of the letter, which was sent to Greg Avioli, the President and CEO of the Thoroughbred Owners of California; Alan Balch, the Executive Director of California Thoroughbred Trainers; and Darrell Haire, Regional Manager of the Jockeys’ Guild.
Officials at Santa Anita said that they would have no comment in time for the deadline for the story.
Santa Anita could resume racing on May 15 | Image courtesy of Horsephotos
“Santa Anita Park will be issuing a condition book on Thursday, April 30, targeting May 15 for the resumption of live racing under strict protocols, including the exclusion of spectators,” the letter, which is signed by Aidan Butler, the Executive Director of California Racing Operations for the Stronach Group, reads. “This coincides with the expiration of LA County’s current Safer-At-Home order and following California Governor Gavin Newsom’s comments on Tuesday that the state could begin to relax the current COVID-19 restrictions in the next few weeks.”
“As businesses throughout the state are preparing to gradually reopen, horse racing is unique as we cannot literally open the doors the moment orders are relaxed." - Aidan Butler
The letter continues, “As businesses throughout the state are preparing to gradually reopen, horse racing is unique as we cannot literally open the doors the moment orders are relaxed. Horsemen need time to plan, which is why the tentative date is being put forth. It would be derelict of us to not give you as much notice as possible, with your understanding it is still a contingency plan. Additionally, the plan presented to County officials is logistically complex and it will take Santa Anita up to two weeks to resume operations with the guidelines in place.”
Santa Anita has put forth a plan to Kathryn Barger, Chair of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, and the LA County Health Department officials, which would see them operating under rigid safety and social-distancing protocols, and the letter says that Santa Anita could only open if the county’s stay-at-home order is lifted May 15.
Confidence growing
With Lone Star Park announcing that it will open its stable area May 4 and with Texas Governor Greg Abbott going ahead with aggressive plans to re-open the state’s businesses, Texas horsemen have said they are confident that racing will resume shortly at Lone Star Park. And there may even be fans in the stands to greet racing’s return.
Lone Star Park | Image courtesy of Horsephotos
There has been no racing in Texas since March 28, when Sam Houston ended its meet ahead of schedule. The Lone Star meet was set to begin April 16, but the track was forced to close because of the coronavirus. The first sign that racing could resume within the next few weeks came Tuesday when Lone Star made the announcement that it was ready to open its stable area.
“Everyone is feeling a lot more certain that we are on the right path to racing again." - Mary Ruyle
“Everyone is feeling a lot more certain that we are on the right path to racing again,” said Mary Ruyle, the executive director of the Texas Thoroughbred Association. “Using proper safety protocols, we think we can begin live racing before the end of May with no spectators and then adding a limited number of spectators and go from there.”
Lone Star Park President and General Manager Scott Wells sent a statement to the TDN, which, read, in part: “We will continue to monitor the situation closely and will provide updates on additional new procedures and restrictions as well as our intended opening in the coming days and weeks.”
Backstretch go-ahead
Churchill Downs has been cleared by Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear to open its backstretch area on May 11 so long as the track adheres to enhanced pandemic precautions approved by the state.
Andy Beshear in 2019 | Image courtesy of Getty Images
Beshear announced the clearance Wednesday at his daily COVID-19 video press conference as part of a phased-in reopening for various state industries. Churchill followed up about an hour later with a press release that included specifics pertinent to horsemen.
Neither Beshear nor the track pinpointed an exact date for the return of live racing. But the Churchill release stated “it will be staged at a minimum of four days per week,” Thursday through Sunday.
Latest from Europe
Visitors excluded
Courtesy of TDN Europe
Deutscher Galopp has announced that no runners trained outside Germany will be allowed to race in the country before the end of May.
German racing is set to resume behind closed doors on Monday, May 4 at Dortmund. The first Pattern races, the G2 Carl Jespers Preis and the G3 Cologne Classic, will be held the following Friday in Cologne.
The Richard Hannon-trained Fox Champion won last year’s Mehl-Mulhens-Rennen | Image courtesy of Racing Post
British-based trainer Karl Burke had been hoping to send a runner for each of those contests but, following an announcement by the German racing authority on Wednesday, he will not be permitted to do so.
A statement on the Deutscher Galopp website confirmed that overseas horses will be prevented from racing in the short term. It read, “After discussions with the authorities, horses trained abroad will not be allowed to race until May 31, 2020; the Presidium will regularly reassess the overall situation and will review it again by May 15, 2020 at the latest.”
