Andrew Nelis racing

Naas to host first Irish meeting on resumption with Classics soon to follow Mon 18 May 2020 Naas  will host the first fixture when racing resumes behind closed doors in  Ireland  on June 8, with the Irish 2,000 Guineas and 1,000 Guineas also set for the opening week. Horse Racing Ireland officials on Friday expressed their delight at clearance from the Irish Government to restart the sport on that date, which at one stage looked like being June 29. As is planned in Britain, it will be a high-profile comeback, with Classic action at the  Curragh  on Friday, June 12 featuring the 2,000 Guineas while the 1,000 Guineas will be held 24 hours later. Watch what Brian Kavanagh, chief exeutive of the HRI, had to say on Luck On Sunday The Irish Derby retains its traditional date at the Curragh on Saturday, June 27, as does the Irish Oaks on Saturday, July 18. Irish Champions Weekend will take place on September 12 and 13. Jumps racing will begin ag...

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has provided tentative hope that a resumption of racing could happen in Ireland this month, possibly as early as May 18. In addressing the nation outside government buildings on Friday evening, Varadkar announced the extension of the lockdown in Ireland until May 18, but with a few minor relaxations. Outdoor workers, including builders and gardeners, will be allowed to return to work from May 18 while some sporting activities will be permitted, Varadkar revealed.  It has been suggested that racing will be one of the first sports to benefit from the easing of restrictions.  However, in a roadmap for the phased reopening of sectors and activities, published on Friday evening, it stated that behind-closed-doors sporting activities and events would take place during stage three, projected for June 29. Nonetheless, with racing falling under the department of agriculture's remit, as is the case in France, there remains some prospect of racing m...