With the times coming back to normal, it is time to give a quick glance into the latest updates from the equestrian paradise.
Paradise Horsemen’s Association
Bailey, 29, of Oroville, was one of the 40 horseback riders as the Paradise Horsemen’s Association —Image credit: MSN
Paradise Horsemen’s Association held their first event of the year. “We wanted to keep our numbers down. Normally our bleachers are full and we have a lot more riders,” said Paradise Horsemen Association President Scarlett Miller.
It’s the second straight year where the first event has been delayed. In 2019, the first show was delayed until July after the Paradise Horse Arena suffered damage from camp fire.
“It’s been very hard. Financially it’s been hard on our club. We are a non-profit organisation. We’re still trying to get back on our feet,” Miller said. “It’s fatiguing to be hit twice.”
Racing Returns
Camcbratney racing —Image credit: Glimpse from last year’s horse racing
Racing returned to Northern Ireland at Downpatrick, while Down Royal’s Ulster Derby meeting has been scheduled for July 24.
Downpatrick manager Richard Lyttle said: “I'm delighted racing has resumed at the course but I miss the atmosphere generated by the public -hopefully they will be able to return soon.”
“I want to thank our long-standing sponsors who continue to support racing. I must commend Horse Racing Ireland and the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board (Turf Club) for the manner they have handled the pandemic and got racing going again.”
Covid-19 Fallout
Horse Race at Moonee Valley Racing Club —Image credit: Racing Post
Crowds of up to 5,000 people at major race days during the spring carnival are considered normal. However, Victoria’s second round of Covid-19 restrictions have caused significant planning and commercial pain for the clubs ahead of the spring carnival, due to begin next month.
There is now an acceptance that even if Covid restrictions are eased back to stage two in Melbourne late August, it’s likely to mean tough racecourse restrictions would remain throughout spring and make the idea of crowds remote.
Moonee Valley Racing Club boss Michael Browell said: “We had a lot of great plans in place to celebrate the 100th running of the WS Cox Plate…It (no crowds) is certainly a possibility…We’re working on a model that would see between 1,000 and 5,000 people here as a best-case scenario.”
