Final preparations underway to re-open Doncaster Racecourse for behind closed doors meeting

It’s nearly three months since the horses last raced at Town Moor – but this weekend they will be back.
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The stands may be empty but Doncaster Racecourse takes takes its first step back towards normality on Saturday and Sunday, with its first racing action since March 12.

But although the return to action means some of the scores of staff that have been furloughed at the course return to work again, many workers there are still unable to get back to work.

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Staff from the racecourse have already visited race meetings that have been run since lockdown measures was eased, with a team from Doncaster looking at how things worked when another venue operated by the same company, Newcastle Racecourse, ran its first meeting.

A view across the course from the Premium Double room. Picture: Marie Caley NDFP-04-09-18-HiltonGardenInn-12A view across the course from the Premium Double room. Picture: Marie Caley NDFP-04-09-18-HiltonGardenInn-12
A view across the course from the Premium Double room. Picture: Marie Caley NDFP-04-09-18-HiltonGardenInn-12

Racecourse communications manager, Sam Cone, said: “People specifically required to be there will be allowed on site. That’s people like stable staff, jockeys and racecourse personnel, but no owners and no crowds.

“We’ve made changes to make sure there social distancing can be done. Jockey changing rooms have been moved to the main grandstand so they have more room. It means they don’t have showers though. There are 2m marks painted in the parade ring.

“There have been members of staff on furlough. There will be members of the team working at the weekend, and there have been some working right through on jobs like maintaining the track and buildings. There will be some more back now, but not all. We are looking forward to the day we can welcome everyone back.

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“I was among our staff at Newcastle on June 1, and it felt strange running without crowds – we’re used to running real meetings. Doncaster is Arena’s biggest venue and it will feel strange without spectators here, but the overwhelming feeling about staff is that we’re pleased to be getting back to work.”

He said it was important financially for the venue to see racing again, as televised racing would bring in some income. But it would not solve all the problems lockdown had caused as there would still be no spectator income.

“Doncaster has already lost an important meeting, with the Lincoln,” he added.