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Month: June 2021
Ascot Goes Ahead After Last-Minute Inspection
The fourth day of racing at Royal Ascot has been given the go-ahead after persistent heavy rain forced a tense and lengthy eleventh-hour inspection.
Jockeys Ryan Moore, Frankie Dettori and Oisin Murphy were among those consulted on the conditions underfoot, along with trainers Ralph Beckett, Richard Hannon and Aidan O'Brien, who walked the track with a delegation of officials including Clerk of the Course Chris Stickells.
The Friday evening meeting at Goodwood has however been abandoned after the Sussex track received 42mm of rain.
More to follow…
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Ascot To Fund Jockey Insurance
Ascot Racecourse will fund the Professional Jockeys Association's Career Ending Insurance scheme for a period of one month while the PJA continues discussions with industry stakeholders to establish a sustainable long-term funding solution.
The scheme pays out a capital sum should a jockey suffer a career-ending injury. The scheme was traditionally funded through commercial sponsorship but for the last two years has been paid for out of PJA reserves, assisted for the last six months by a grant from the Horserace Betting Levy Board.
Jon Holmes, chairman of the PJA, said, “Ascot has always gone above and beyond when it comes to our members. This is yet another example of that and we are incredibly grateful to everyone at Ascot Racecourse. I have been in my role at the PJA since December last year and was surprised to discover that this vital insurance scheme was reliant on commercial sponsorship. Our members, the vast majority of whom earn below the national average salary, put their bodies on the line every time they ride and I share Ascot's determination to find an industry-funded solution.”
Guy Henderson, chief executive at Ascot Racecourse, said, “Jockeys of both codes put themselves at risk of serious injury for our entertainment every day. We strongly believe that it is the industry's responsibility to make sure that there is appropriate protection for them in place in the event of career- ending injury. As we approach the end of the 2021 Royal Meeting, I would like to congratulate and thank them all, especially those who had landmark wins, from Frankie Dettori's 75th to the six who've ridden their first. As always, we have had unstinting support from all the jockeys this week in terms of participating in extensive domestic and international media activities and our own press conferences and opening ceremonies.”
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Ascot To Inspect Ahead Of Racing
Clerk of the Course Chris Stickells has called an inspection for 12.45pm ahead of the fourth day of racing at Royal Ascot citing “marginal” ability to race. Consistent heavy rain has fallen at the Berkshire track since racing concluded on Thursday.
With the going having been amended from good to firm on Thursday to soft, heavy in places by 11am on Friday, Ascot subsequently released a statement which read, “Following 26mm of rain since racing yesterday, and with a few false patches of ground which means the ability to race may be marginal, an inspection. has been called for 12.45pm. We are also looking at options to realign the rail to avoid these areas.”
The change in the going has seen some significant non-runners declared during the morning, including the Ed Walker-trained Primo Bacio (Ire) in the G1 Coronation S. and Supremacy (Ire), who is one of five scratchings in the G1 Commonwealth Cup.
Ascot has also issued a list of three options as contingency plans pending the outcome of the inspection.
The first is that racing goes ahead as planned today. Alternatively, racing will take place today on the straight course only with a five-race card which would include the Coronation Stakes moved to the straight track. The two lost races would be rescheduled for Saturday.
Finally, if racing is abandoned on Friday, Ascot could hold a 10-race card on Saturday, including the Coronation Stakes, Commonwealth Cup and King Edward VII Stakes.
If the third option is taken, all 10 races will be shown on ITV. The provisional order of running is:
1.20pm Chesham
1.55pm Hardwicke
2.30pm Commonwealth Cup
3.05pm Coronation Stakes
3.40pm Diamond Jubilee Stakes
4.20pm Jersey Stakes
5.00pm King Edward VII Stakes
5.35pm Wokingham Stakes
6.10pm Golden Gates
6.45pm Queen Alexandra
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