coronavirus | Horse Racing Free Tips

Royal Ascot Planning For 4,000 Spectators a Day

Under the current spectator cap put in place by the UK Government for its Roadmap out of lockdown, the five-day Royal Ascot meeting will be held with just 4,000 spectators each day. Ascot Racecourse is planning for that eventuality, but there is a slim chance that the meeting could be used as a pilot event that would allow up to 10,000 daily spectators at the venue. Step 3 of the Government Roadmap out of coronavirus restrictions is in place until at least June 21. There will be no general admission.

“In accordance with Step 3 of the Government's Roadmap, the total max capacity for racegoers on all racecourses is 4,000 per day,” Ascot Racecourse tweeted. “We remain in dialogue with Government on the possibility of a larger crowd, but will begin the process to allocate to our current permitted capacity.”

In 2020, Royal Ascot was held without spectators due to the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic.

The post Royal Ascot Planning For 4,000 Spectators a Day appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Prize Money Boosted For QIPCO British Champions Day

The prize money for the 2021 QIPCO British Champions Day at Ascot on Oct. 16 will be raised to £4 million, QIPCO announced on Tuesday.

This is a 60% increase on 2020 levels that were reduced due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The G1 QIPCO Champion S. will be worth £1.2 million, while the G1 Queen Elizabeth S. boasts prize money of £1.1 million. The G1 QIPCO British Champions Fillies & Mares, G1 QIPCO British Champions Sprint and the G2 QIPCO British Champions Long Distance Cup will each offer prize money of £500,000. The Balmoral H. sponsored by QIPCO sees its purse doubled to £200,000.

Sheikh Fahad bin Abdullah Al-Thani, director of QIPCO Holding said, “We are proud to sponsor QIPCO British Champions Day, the most valuable day in the British racing calendar and are pleased that this year's raceday, which marks the 10th anniversary of our sponsorship, will be run for £4 million. The day has established itself at the pinnacle of the global racing calendar and it is only fitting that the prize money reflect that.”

Added Rod Street, Chief Executive of British Champions Series Ltd., “We are absolutely delighted to have restored prize-money on QIPCO British Champions Day to £4m.

“It is crucial to the long-term future of British racing that we are able to offer globally competitive prize-money and are hugely grateful to our sponsors, Qipco, for making this a reality and for their continued support and commitment.

“Champions Day has always attracted the world's finest racehorses and with such a valuable racecard, we look forward to welcoming the sport's superstars back to Ascot once more on October 16.”

The post Prize Money Boosted For QIPCO British Champions Day appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Additional Belmont Stakes Racing Festival Ticket, Hospitality Options Now Available

The New York Racing Association has released updated ticket and hospitality options for the 2021 Belmont Stakes Racing Festival. The newly available ticket inventory reflects updated New York State guidance for large outdoor events that allows for fully vaccinated stadium sections to operate at full capacity.

In accordance with those guidelines, which take effect May 19, NYRA has updated its inventory to include availability within hospitality areas such as the Marquee Tent and individual reserved seat sections in the clubhouse that will be designated as fully vaccinated. To purchase tickets in these sections, fans can visit Ticketmaster.com and select from sections designated for fully vaccinated guests.

Headlined by the 153rd running of the $1.5-million GI Belmont S. Saturday, June 5, the three-day Belmont Stakes Racing Festival kicks off Thursday, June 3 and will include 17 stakes races in total, with eight Grade I races to be contested on Belmont Stakes Day.

Ticketholders in vaccinated sections must present proof of a completed vaccination series prior to entry into the section. All guests who have been vaccinated in New York State are encouraged to provide secure proof using the New York State Excelsior Pass. For additional information on health and safety protocols in effect for the 2021 Belmont Stakes Racing Festival, click here.

The post Additional Belmont Stakes Racing Festival Ticket, Hospitality Options Now Available appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Harrington Banned For Two Weeks And Fined After Covid Protocol Breach

Trainer Jessica Harrington has been banned from attending the races for two weeks and fined €3,500 after breaking COVID-19 protocols at Aintree's Grand National meeting, the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board announced on Monday. Harrington “acted in a manner which was prejudicial to the proper conduct or good reputation of horseracing” the IHRB hearing found and her ban will last until May 24.

Harrington, who had both Magic of Light (Ire) (Flemensfirth) and Jett (Ire) (Flemensfirth) in the Grand National, did not stay in the 'Irish Bubble' set up for the duration of the three-day meeting in line with COVID-19 protocols. Originally planning to travel the day of the Grand National and return to Ireland that evening, thus not needing the 'Irish Bubble' the trainer said she was aware of the protocols. However, she changed her plans and traveled on the Friday to carrying out some independent business with owners who had a horse they wanted her to look at. As a result, Harrington stayed with those owners instead. At the time, Harrington felt she was not breaking the rules, as she never entered the 'Irish Bubble' on race day. She now accepts that she was in breach of COVID-19 protocols.

Hearing chairman Mr. Justice Raymond Groarke noted that “a breach of these protocols could have enormous consequences for racing in Ireland and that Mrs. Harrington accepts that she has been in breach of the rules.”

The post Harrington Banned For Two Weeks And Fined After Covid Protocol Breach appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post