The Irish government has extended its racing-behind-closed-doors policy until at least Sept. 13, Racing Post reported on Tuesday. As a result, owners remain barred from Irish courses for the time being as a result of Taoiseach Micheal Martin’s announcement. Originally, in phase four of Ireland’s reopening process the limit on people allowed at an outdoor event was going to increase from 200 to 500 on Aug. 31.
Horse Racing Ireland Chief Executive Brian Kavanagh told Racing Post, “We have said all along that owners are the first priority and there is a strong sense that, when the time comes, there has to be more than just a gesture in getting owners back on to the track.
“We have to do right by them. The difficulty is the constantly changing situation with this virus meaning the government has not been able to up the gatherings of people at an outdoor event from 200 to 500 and we have said all along that we would mirror the government’s phasing. Owners are foremost in our minds but we are regrettably still involved in a battle with this virus and restrictions are tightening, not loosening.”
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