What racing looks like post Lockdown

Many professional sports are facing a new reality following the outbreak of coronavirus around the world. That includes horse racing, which is one of the most popular sports in the United Kingdom and Ireland.

As horse racing begins to resume in these islands and across other countries on the planet, it is going to look a little different to the horse racing events we enjoyed prior to the lockdown. Let's take a closer look at what horse racing is going to look like post lockdown.

A good example of a recent major meeting that has taken place since lockdown is Royal Ascot. This is one of the world’s premiere flat racing events and initially it appeared as though it would not take place this year due to COVID-19. However, important steps were taken to ensure Ascot could go ahead and everything that happened during the week is something every horse racing fan is going to have to get used to going forward.

The biggest change to horse racing post lockdown will be the absence of a crowd inside the venue. One of the real pleasures of horse racing is attending the racetrack and cheering on the horses you have backed at the bookies. Unfortunately, this is not going to be possible for some time and fans will have to make do with watching the racing live on television or online. While it is not the same as being at the track, the coverage is always of the highest standard and it will be possible to watch all races throughout the year.

Then we come to betting and this is one of the major reasons why people enjoy watching horse racing. Having a punt on a horse and cheering them on is a tremendous feeling but It will not be possible to place any bets at the racetrack. At the time of writing, bookmakers are not allowed inside the venue and even if they were, there would be no one there to place bets. This is a big blow to people who make their income through on-course bookmaking but there are other options for those who would like to bet on the racing. The high street betting offices are also closed at the moment but due to reopen in the coming weeks under new social distancing guidelines.

New online bookmakers are regularly being developed and not a year goes by without there being a host of new operators in the world of online betting. In addition to the latest online bookmakers, all the well known high street bookmakers also have online products. Therefore, you have a great selection of established and new bookmakers to use for your online horse racing betting. Many online bookmakers offer live streaming of races from across the world, so you can back your favourite horse and follow all the action live from your computer or mobile device. With fans currently not being allowed to attend any meetings, this is sure to be one of the most popular ways to watch the races as they happen.

Not only will horse racing be different for the fans, there are new practises for all key personnel who will be at the track. In the words of the British Horseracing Authority, there will be ‘Efficient, repeated, targeted medical screening to ensure as much as possible that everyone who is on a racecourse is safe to be on that racecourse.’ Social distancing will be required whenever possible and face coverings worn when in close contact with other people.

Some restrictions have also been placed on the number of horses allowed to contest each race. The maximum number of runners per race in Ireland is capped at 18 while Royal Ascot imposed a limit of 24 runners per race. This hasn’t made it any easier for punters to pick winners as many horses at double figure odds prevailed across the week at Royal Ascot including one at a massive price of 150/1.

Outside of the major meetings in the UK the number of runners per race has been extended from an initial 12 to 14 as the restrictions gradually ease but we are still a long way off seeing the gates swinging open to welcome crowds back to the sport as the owners of the horses are still prohibited from attending.

However, once the horses get out onto the track and the race begins everything will be as it was prior to the lockdown. Fans can watch on and enjoy the race unfold live from the comfort of their own home and using online bookmakers to back their chosen horse.