Racing executive still hopeful that Doncaster's St Leger meeting may be open to some spectators

British horse racing returned behind-closed-doors at Newcastle today – with strict hygiene and socal-distancing rules in place – for the first time since the coronavirus shutdown in mid-March.

ARC’s flagship St Leger meeting is scheduled for September 9-12 at Doncaster.

Spincer, who was formerly executive director at Doncaster, told PA Sport: “It all depends on the Government, but I’d love to think that the last Classic of the year we may be able to have a number of people on site.

“I don’t know what that number will be. Could it be 500 owners and trainers? Could it be some annual members? Could it be some paid admission? I have no idea.”

But he added: “I can’t see it much before September, it’s a behind-closed-doors fixture list in June, July and August and I’d be quite surprised if that gets changed.

“But if the Government start to open up in July, who knows? Whoever thought bookmakers would be open in the middle of June? We definitely didn’t, that wasn’t in our thinking.

“But I don’t think admissions will get anywhere like back to normal for a number of months.”

Spincer also highlighted the financial impact of spectators being absent during racing’s busiest period.

He said: “You talk about media and bookmakers, but in the height of the summer hospitality, paid admissions, food and beverage revenue and the rest is a large driver of the lifeline of all racecourses.

“Be it Beverley’s ladies’ day, the Ebor Festival or Ponteftract’s Red Shirt night, it hits so many people.

“Then think of the charity partners we work with, the local hotels, pubs and restaurants, everybody is feeling it.”