CORONAVIRUS 1

In 1914 racing was stopped by the government because of WW1, and then resumed on a limited scale in response to public opinion. It turned out that the men at the front found that news from the racecourses of England provided vital relief from the horrors of killing and being killed in mud up to one’s chin (See Men and Horses,  Chapter 26). The same thing happened in 1940: racing was stopped and then restarted. This time Big Game, Sun Chariot and the royal family gave the nation something about which to be cheerful.

Today we may have a different situation, but it may well prove to be very similar.  If it is good for the racing industry that a limited program of racing should resume, there would perhaps be a case for resumption behind closed doors. As regards betting, on which racing’s finances are so dependent, this would be an opportunity to close down all betting shops (as an anti-contagion measure), while at the same time allowing betting on line a free rein. A Win Win situation, if I am not mistaken.

A limited program of racing… how limited? Would two meetings a day in the south and two in the north (28 meetings per week) be enough to make the resumption worthwhile?  If so, I imagine that the racing industry could finance any aspects of resumption which might threaten to impinge upon the vastly more important duties of the the emergency services.

Best wishes,

Donec