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Saunas To Be Removed From British Weighing Rooms

Saunas will be removed from all jockeys' quarters in Britain as part of a long-term programme to modernise weighing rooms that has been developed by a cross-industry group of jockeys, racehorses and the British Horseracing Authority. Weighing room saunas have been closed as part of Covid safety measures since the onset of the pandemic, and 88% of jockeys polled support their removal.

Dr. Jerry Hill, BHA chief medical adviser, said, “Saunas have been out of operation throughout the pandemic, which has presented the opportunity for a wider discussion about their long-term future in the context of making weight safely. Acute dehydration, such as that following sauna use, shortly before racing has been shown to reduce performance as it has a negative impact on reaction time and strength. There have been reports of increased falls and by extension injuries in jockeys who have suddenly dehydrated to make weight.

“There are safe and effective methods of maintaining weight healthily through fitness and nutrition and this bespoke support is available to jockeys through the PJA Nutrition Team as well as at the IJF Centres.”

A set of minimum standards drawn up for jockeys' quarters also includes additional private changing and shower facilities; shared communal rest, food provision and warm-up areas for jockeys; communal working space for valets, and flexibility to adapt changing room sizes for demand.

Racecourse Association Chief Executive David Armstrong said, “The RCA welcomes the announcement of the long-term plan to upgrade weighing rooms across Britain's 59 racecourses. This presents a significant milestone and many months of hard work by the PJA, RCA, BHA plus jockey and racecourse representatives.

“The initial stage of meeting all ongoing safeguarding requirements is due to be completed by February, which will include the welcome removal of saunas. The outcome of this project will be the creation of significantly improved weighing and changing room facilities that are in keeping with other elite and professional sports.”

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UK Fixture List Released For 2022

The 2022 UK fixture list was published by the British Horseracing Authority on behalf of the sport's tripartite governance structure of the BHA, racecourses and horsemen and women, on Monday. Comprised of 1,482 fixtures, the 2022 fixture list was developed by the industry's Fixtures and Funding Group, which contains cross-industry representation and was approved by all members of the group and the sport's tripartite executive committee. The list was presented to the BHA Board for approval on Sept. 9. The total fixtures for 2021 was 1,486.

There were several significant developments incorporated into the 2022 list:

An increase in quality, Sunday racing with racecourses making at least £65,000 in executive prizemoney contributions on: May 8 (Hamilton), May 22 (York), June 5 (Musselburgh), July 3 (Chelmsford City), July 24 (Chelmsford City), Aug. 7 (Haydock Park), Aug. 14 (Chelmsford City), and Aug. 21 (Sandown Park).
A sixth Flat fixture approved for Saturdays with racecourses making at least £100,000 in executive prizemoney contributions (one year only): May 14 (Chelsmford City), May 28 (Cartmel), May 28 (Chelmsford City), June 11 (Chester), June 18 (Perth), July 16 (Cartmel), July 16 (Chester), Aug. 13 (Perth), Sept. 10 (Chelmsford City), Sept. 24 (Chester).
A small number of 'rider restricted fixtures' have also been designated in the fixture list to boost participant well-being: Mar. 19 (Wolverhampton), July 31 (Market Rasen), and Nov. 26 (Wolverhampton).

For more details, please visit the BHA website here.

Richard Wayman, Chief Operating Officer for the BHA, said, “In producing the 2022 Fixture List, our overarching aim has been to enhance the appeal of racing to its followers. As ever, this has involved balancing a number of considerations such as seeking to deliver a competitive and compelling sport, whilst also supporting the revenues that encourage the acquisition and retention of owners and their horses. Also, staging fixtures at times when the public can enjoy them whilst also being mindful of the wellbeing impact on the participants who service them.

“Fixture policy is an area of tripartite decision making and, whilst there will inevitably be differences of opinion from time to time, there is complete agreement that the Fixture List must continue to evolve as we listen to what racegoers, fans of the sport and the betting industry's customers, are telling us.

“We have built on some of the initiatives trialled during the pandemic, such as the creation of additional relatively high value meetings on Sundays, and we will continue to look for more opportunities to use the Fixture List to support the future of the sport.”

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RCA to Work With UK Government Over New Covid-Passport Regulations

The Racecourse Association (RCA) will be working closely with the UK Government to ensure the successful rollout of the new covid pass requirement after Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced a full COVID-19 vaccination would be required prior to entry at “venues where large crowds gather” beginning in October of 2021. Johnson was speaking on 'Freedom Day', the date when the majority of coronavirus restrictions were eased in England. Racecourses were allowed to begin hosting unrestricted numbers of spectators on Monday.

Prime Minister Johnson said, “I should serve notice now that by the end of September, when all over 18s will have had the chance to be double jabbed, we are planning to make full vaccination the condition of entry to nightclubs and other venues where large crowds gather.

“Proof of a negative test will no longer be sufficient.”

In response, the Racecourse Association (RCA) issued the following statement: “The RCA notes today's announcement from the Prime Minister that as of Oct. 1, 2021, the Covid Pass is to be made mandatory for certain events in England.

“We welcome the fact that this inception date will allow all British adults to have the option of being double vaccinated.

“While we all sincerely hope the days of Covid restrictions are behind us, it is vital that horseracing and the wider sports/leisure economies have contingency plans to avoid commercially damaging restrictions being re-imposed but equally allow us to host safe events.

“Our immediate attention now turns to working with Government, stakeholder partners and member racecourses to understand the detail behind this plan and map out what will be a significant logistical operation.”

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Attendance Restrictions Set to Be Lifted From English Courses From July 19

England is on course to remove the COVID-19 enforced limit of attendees at sporting events from July 19, according to an announcement from the UK Government. A final decision on easing restrictions, which currently limits attendance to just 4,000 spectators at each race meeting, will be made on July 12. During Royal Ascot, up to 12,000 were allowed to attend through a Government pilot scheme. In addition to ending spectator limits, the one-metre social distancing rule will end, as will the compulsory wearing of masks.

“If we do find another variant that doesn't respond to the vaccines, if heaven forbid some really awful new bug should appear, then clearly we will have to take whatever steps we need to do to protect the public,” said Prime Minister Boris Johnson at a press conference in Downing Street on Monday evening. “But on balance, given the massive success of the vaccine rollout, given the fact that this is a propitious moment, a good moment to do it given the coming summer holidays, the natural firebreak we have there, and given the difficulty of then imagining us opening up in the context of the colder autumn/winter months, I think this is a balanced and cautious approach.”

The Prime Minister's announcement affects only English racecourses, with both Scotland and Wales under their own specific lockdowns restrictions. Both the British Horseracing Authority and Racecourse Association welcomed the news.

“We are delighted to hear the Prime Minister's announcement today,” said BHA Chair Annamarie Phelps in a statement. “Monday 19th July will be a significant day for all sports, and very much so for British racing. This news comes as a huge boost to an industry which relies so heavily on its nearly six million racegoing fans each year. A day at the races with the wonderful atmosphere generated by our racegoers is an experience unlike any other. Everyone involved in our sport has been looking forward to this news for the last 13 months, and worked tirelessly and with great patience to safely keep the show on the road in this time.

“While racing is perfectly suited to spectators enjoying a sporting experience in a safe environment, it may remain the case that some protocols around the operation of sporting events for participants and officials remain in place in order to protect sports from the potential impact of positive cases and close contact self-isolation requirements, and permit international competitors. We are currently working with our industry colleagues to consider how this might apply to racing and how our racedays will therefore operate from 19 July onwards, and we await further clarity from Government. We also look forward to spectators being permitted to return to sporting events in Scotland and Wales in greater numbers in due course, and continue to engage proactively with the Devolved Administrations on this issue.”

RCA chief executive David Armstrong added, “It has been 476 days since British racecourses were able to welcome racegoers without restriction. Clearly this has been a difficult time for racecourses on both a commercial level, we estimate the pandemic has cost racecourses £400 million, and human level–we have deeply missed the atmosphere and presence of racegoers.

“The clarity provided by today's Government announcement is wonderful news for racecourses in England and we will continue to work closely with our industry partners and the devolved governments for an update from Wales and Scotland.

“With some of the sport's marquee events to come including the Qatar Goodwood Festival, York's Ebor Festival and the Cazoo St Leger Festival at Doncaster, our attention now turns to helping racecourses prepare for a fantastic summer.

“Certain restrictions may remain in place to protect racing's participants, but we will work closely with our partners across the sport to remove these as quickly as is possible whilst maintaining their safety.”

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