Horse racing: French government withdraws approval for races from some courses
Last updated on .From the section Horse Racing
French horse racing is set for more disruption just a week after its resumption, with some courses banned from staging events.
Government approval for racing has been withdrawn from areas still affected by the coronavirus outbreak.
Longchamp, Saint-Cloud and Auteuil are among the courses in affected regions.
The decision was called "inexplicable and irrational" by Edouard de Rothschild, president of France Galop, French racing's governing body.
"I will not give up. I am proud of the exemplary behaviour behind closed doors since 11 May and the colossal work provided by our teams for more than two months. Responsive we are and we will be. Long live our races," he said.
June's French 2,000 and 1,000 Guineas could switch from Longchamp to Deauville - in the north-west of France - as a result.
"France Galop is working on reorganisation plans for the May and June calendar and will announce as soon as possible where the meetings that were scheduled in the red zone will take place," the governing body said.
"This calendar is likely to change as soon as a red department turns green."
