HORSE RACING SET TO RESUME IN JUNE, UK AND IRELAND

Newcastle are set to host the first UK horse racing meeting, behind closed doors, since racing was suspended due to the Coronavirus outbreak and subsequent lock down. They have a two day meeting planned for 1st / 2nd June where Kempton will join them on the Tuesday with their own two day fixture to get horse racing back underway. 

An eight-race opening fixture is planned for Newcastle's all-weather track if a return to action is approved by the government. Racing in Britain has been suspended since 17 March because of the coronavirus pandemic. The British Horseracing Authority is proposing a total of 18 meetings in the first eight days after it resumes.
Proposed meetings for first week of June 2020.
   1st June; Newcastle
   2nd June; Kempton, Newcastle
   3rd June; Kempton, Great Yarmouth
   4th June; Newcastle, Newmarket
   5th June; Lingfield, Newmarket
   6th June; Lingfield, Newcastle, Newmarket
   7th June; Haydock, Lingfield, Newmarket
   8th June; Chelmsford, Haydock, Lingfield
Flat racing's first two Classics for 2020, the 2,000 Guineas and 1,000 Guineas, would be held at Newmarket on 6th / 7th June having been scheduled for early May. A proposal to host the Derby / Oaks at Epsom racecourse has been submitted and ought to be run in July while Royal Ascot have already announced they plan to race, albeit behind closed doors, on their original dates Tuesday 16th June – Saturday 20th June although Her Majesty The Queen will not attend for the first time in her 68 year reign.

Irish racing to resume on 8th June.
Irish horse racing is set to resume behind closed doors on 8th June after a two-and-a-half-month absence. Naas looks set to host first Irish meeting upon racing resumption. The Republic's road map to emerge from its coronavirus lock down had previously suggested that the sport would not restart until the end of June at the earliest. However, the date has been moved forward as a result of talks between the government and Horse Racing Ireland.

There has been no racing in Ireland since 24th March. The pandemic has led to the cancellation of number of Ireland's biggest racing festivals, including Punchestown and Fairyhouse, but it is hoped that the Irish Grand National will be integrated into an enhanced autumn schedule. Anticipating a high-profile comeback, with classic action at the Curragh on Friday 12th June featuring the 2,000 Guineas while the 1,000 Guineas will be held 24 hours later. The Irish Derby retains its traditional date at the Curragh on Saturday 27th June as does the Irish Oaks on Saturday 18th July. Irish Champions weekend will take place on September 12th - 13th. While jumps racing should begin again at Limerick on June 22nd.

A range of new protocols will be introduced to ensure that social distancing measures are adhered to as racing resumes. Each fixture will have a dedicated Covid-19 protocol officer who will ensure that only key personnel are present at the meetings, while health and thermal temperature screening will take place on arrival. Mandatory face coverings will be worn by "most" of those in attendance.