Arena Racing Company (“ARC”) today welcomes the resumption of racing across Great Britain, following a six-day shutdown of the sport to contain an outbreak of Equine Influenza.
The loss of racing has had a significant commercial impact on British racing, with a total of 23 fixtures cancelled during this period, including 12 at ARC racecourses.
During this period, along with all of the hard work done in racing yards across the country, and led by BHA, ARC has undertaken level 2 deep cleans to all equine areas and associated equipment at all National Hunt and All-Weather flat racecourses, at a significant six figure cost.
In good news for horsemen, bookmakers, broadcasters, the Levy, international customers and the 1000+ horses who have not been able to run during this time, ARC racecourses are able to accommodate 12 rescheduled fixtures as a means by which to mitigate the losses incurred during this unprecedented period of cancellation.
ARC Chief Executive Martin Cruddace commented, “It appears that, as a result of decisive action by the BHA, we have avoided a far worse scenario.”
“We will put forward a proposal to run the 12 fixtures that we lost during this six-day period, taking into account a number of factors including geography of other fixtures and the suitability of the ground, for example.
“By scheduling these fixtures from 24 February, it will also allow further opportunities for horses that have been unable to run during the period of cancellation and then currently unable to run due to recently administered vaccinations and boosters. Happily, all of our 11 racecourses that offer jumps racing are ready to offer ideal jumping ground.”
“There are a number of opportunities that we believe can be used to accommodate these fixtures, on Sundays for example, and we will be making sure that they are as accessible as possible for customers.”
