The coronavirus crisis has had a devasting impact on top class sport, with every sector affected in some form or other.
Horse racing has already suffered due to the outbreak and looks set to continue to do so for the foreseeable future.
Read on as we take a closer look at the latest situation in some of the main centres for horse racing around the world.
UK and France on lockdown but Ireland still racing
Racing authorities in the United Kingdom and France have put the sport into lockdown to try and stop the spread of coronavirus.
The Grand National at Aintree is the biggest event to be cancelled, with the iconic steeplechase amongst the most-watched races in the UK calendar.
UK racing is cancelled until at least the end of April, while France has suspended its operations until April 15.
However, Ireland is continuing to race behind closed doors as it tries to limit the financial impact of the coronavirus outbreak.
Dubai World Cup postponed
The Dubai World Cup at Meydan Racecourse on March 28 has been postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Benbatl was a popular selection on OLBG’s horse racing tips page to win the race following an excellent run in the inaugural Saudi Cup.
However, he will be denied the opportunity to scoop the $12 million winning purse after organisers called off the event.
They confirmed via the Dubai Media Office Twitter page that they had ‘decided to postpone the 25th edition of the global tournament to next year’.
Mixed news in the United States
Numerous tracks in the US have continued to race, with the likes of Sant Anita and Tampa Bay Downs striving to navigate a path through the crisis.
However, Aqueduct Racetrack were forced to suspend racing on Thursday after a track worker tested positive for coronavirus.
The worker first developed symptoms almost a week earlier, but has now been quarantined along with his roommate.
A trainer at Yonkers Raceway died earlier this month after contracting coronavirus, the first reported death in New Jersey due to the outbreak.
Golden Sixty stars in Hong Kong
Hong Kong continues to race, albeit with strict controls put in place to minimise the risk presented by the deadly coronavirus.
Sha Tin Racecourse took centre stage over the weekend as it hosted the prestigious Hong Kong Derby.
Golden Sixty was attempting to become just the second horse to complete Hong Kong’s four-year-old Classic Series and he duly delivered to take his winning run to seven.
Jockey Vincent Ho was at his brilliant best aboard Golden Sixty, timing his run to perfection to overhaul Playa Del Puente in the final 50 metres.
Suzanne Ashton, Founder of Everything Horse (Est, 2012), has a BA Hons in Marketing Management and a Diploma in Equine Science. Suzanne has ridden and owned horses all her life and has twelve years of experience in marketing, writing, design, SEO, and website creation.
Discover more from Everything Horse Magazine
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.