BECKETT TAKES A STAND

Trainer insists BHA should follow Europe to restart UK racing

BRITISH racing faces “a real problem on every level” if it lags behind other nations in its resumption from the coronavirus pandemic.

French racing’s ruling body, France Galop, has pencilled a big-money card behind closed doors at Paris Longchamp on May 11 for its return from COVID-19, while in Germany a comeback without spectators is planned at Dortmund on Sunday.

And Ralph Beckett, who with colleague Mark Johnston called for British Horseracing Authority CEO Nick Rust (inset) to step down in a leaked email to chair Annamarie Phelps, warned Britain must adopt a similarly pro-active stance – or face the consequences.

“There will be a real problem for the sport at every level,” Beckett said yesterday. “Trainers have already lost horses as a result of the coronavirus crisis, as owners have been hit.

“Now that racing is to restart in France and Germany, there will be an added attraction to race in those countries.

“The prize money in France has traditionally been better than it is in Britain, and trainers face the very real danger that owners will take their horses to race there if we do not get racing back on.” Beckett and Johnston faced criticism after urging Rust to fall on his sword.

But the three-time Classic winner (right) denied he was seeking for racing to return with indecent haste – at a potential cost to public health.

Downing Street is set to reappraise the current lockdown measures next Thursday, and Beckett added: “It was portrayed as though I was wanting to get racing on as soon as possible.

“I do want to get racing on as soon as possible – but only when lockdown has eased.

“No trainer has suggested that racing restarts before the government eases lockdown. “This isn’t about me – this is a concern expressed for owners and trainers at all levels of of the sport.”

The BHA will publish the first week of post-coronavirus pandemic fixtures within the next seven days.

The deadline for racecourses to submit their plans for the first meetings since racing was suspended on March 17 passed yesterday.

“We will be developing a provisional programme for the first seven days of racing following resumption – whatever the date,” read a BHA statement last night.