GREYHOUND RACING FULLY BEHIND CLOSED DOORS
AND OPENS SUSPENDED

By Jonathan Kay

GREYHOUND racing in England has gone completely behind closed doors in light of the coronavirus crisis, while open-racing will temporarily cease after Saturday’s Ladbrokes Puppy Derby and RPGTV Steel City Cup finals at Monmore and Sheffield respectively.
The decision comes following further discussions with veterinary experts and representatives from across the industry, taking into account the most recent advice from the UK government and Public Health England on the rapidly evolving situation.
GBGB managing director Mark Bird said: “These are uncertain and unprecedented times and our utmost priority is always the welfare and care of the greyhounds at the centre of our sport.
“We are likewise mindful of the health and well-being of everyone associated with British greyhound racing and of course our wider social responsibility to help minimise the transmission and impact of Covid-19.
“As a sport, we have therefore taken the collective decision to move all racing behind closed doors across our licensed stadia in England.
“We believe that this is the best way of the sport continuing to operate safely and successfully for the moment; minimising risk but maintaining the cashflow that is essential to everyone’s livelihoods and to the care of our greyhounds.
“Likewise, after Saturday this week, all open-racing will be suspended temporarily to reduce the need for travelling between stadia.”

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