Longchamp: ready to host the return of the French races behind closed doors next Monday
Edward Whitaker
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Longchamp: ready to host the return of the French races behind closed doors next Monday
Edward Whitaker
The races in France are on track to return to closed doors at Longchamp next Monday, and France Galop President Edouard de Rothschild revealed that the Paris police have given permission for the races to resume on May 11.
The possibility of the scheduled Paris runway facilities being moved to other locations outside the region had been discussed by major French stakeholders in recent weeks, and the whole of Paris was considered a ‘red zone’ in terms of the Covid-19 lock categorization by the French government.
On a map revealed by Health Minister Olivier Veran, French regions have been defined as green, orange, or red zones, and green locations are likely to see their blocking restrictions lifted before red zones.
However, France Galop CEO Olivier Delloye insists that the state of Paris’ red zone should not affect the return of French racing next Monday, backed by local police officers as a significant boost for the return from racing.
De Rothschild tweeted on Monday: “We obtained and received authorization from the Paris police prefecture to resume racing on May 11. This is great news and a real victory!”
La Defense skyscraper district towers over Longchamp
Edward Whitaker
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La Defense skyscraper district towers over Longchamp
Edward Whitaker
“The plan remains the same,” Delloye said of the May 11 restart. “We still have the goal of resuming racing on all major race tracks, including in Paris, and we have no red light regarding the resumption of racing at that stage. It is such a good case so far.”
He added: “Of course, the fact that an area is labeled a green zone would give you more confidence to resume racing as soon as possible, but being red does not necessarily mean that races are not possible. I think it will be a case by case script. .
“I think we have a good case to really protect and defend our position to resume racing on May 11.”
There have also been encouraging signs for the return of racing in Chantilly, an area 50 kilometers north of Paris city center that has been hit by the coronavirus pandemic.
Delloye explained: “We received some very positive comments from Chantilly because this is in an area that was badly hit by Covid-19 in early March. It was a question mark if local authorities would let races resume as soon as 11 of May”.
Waldgeist denies Enable at last year’s Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe
Edward Whitaker
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Waldgeist denies Enable at last year’s Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe
Edward Whitaker
“The response is quite positive, as long as we comply with the rules that we are implementing ourselves. These have been designed with the local authorities regarding how we operate behind closed doors.”
The races in France have been suspended since March 17, but France Galop has been preparing a return card for the resumption scheduled for next week, assigning four Group races to be held in the opening match of Longchamp.
All Group 1 races have been rearranged, with the 2,000 and 1,000 French Guineas now scheduled for Monday, June 1.
Similar to the restrictions previously imposed to compete behind closed doors in Ireland, only the coach, the rider and a groom will be able to participate in the racetrack of each runner, and horses and riders based outside of France will be prohibited from competing until at least finals of May. .
However, confusion has reigned in the country since Saturday’s two-month extension of the national health state emergency, with conflicting reports on whether people traveling to France will have to face a two-week quarantine upon arrival.
Delloye says he does not foresee a scenario in which French races will be conducted without foreign runners until the end of the July 24 emergency.
Frankie Dettori, John and Thady Gosden walk the course in Longchamp before Enable’s second victory at the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in Longchamp in 2018
Edward Whitaker
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Frankie Dettori, John and Thady Gosden walk the course in Longchamp before Enable’s second victory at the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in Longchamp in 2018
Edward Whitaker
“There is some conflicting news regarding this scenario, but I don’t think it means that there will be no international participation until then,” he said.
All sports, with the exception of horse racing, which are under the mandate of the Ministry of Agriculture, were suspended until September in France and Delloye insists that the dialogue between the French racing authorities and the government has been positive throughout moment.
“There has been constant discussion with the government from day one and they have supported our intention to return to competition as soon as possible,” he said.
“We have been trying to provide the greatest possible confidence to the ministers in charge of overseeing the racing industry on our ability to operate behind closed doors and eliminate the greatest possible risk to people working on-site during races.”
The number of Covid-19 deaths in France increased from 135 to 24,895 on Sunday, the smallest daily increase in six weeks.
French group / grade 1 race dates revised
May 11 The races are restarted with the classic tests, including Group 2 Prix d’Harcourt June 1st French 2,000 and 1,000 guineas, Longchamp June 7th Grand Steeple Chase de Paris and Grande Course de Haies d’Auteuil, Auteuil June 13th Alain du Breil and Ferdinand Dufaure Award, Auteuil June 14th Prix Saint-Alary and Prix Ganay, Longchamp June 28th Saint-Cloud Grand Prix, Saint-Cloud July 5th Prix du Jockey Club and Prix de Diane, Chantilly 12th of July Jean Prat Award, Deauville July 19 Prix d’Ispahan, Chantilly August 2nd Prix Rothschild, Deauville August 9 Maurice de Gheest Award, Deauville August 16th Jacques le Marois Prize, Deauville August 23rd Prix Jean Romanet and Prix Morny, Deauville September 13th Juddmonte Grand Prix de Paris, Longchamp
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