Racing is to return without crowds in France on Monday May 11th, as Horse Racing Ireland await clarity from the Government about a date for resumption here.
France Galop President Edouard de Rothschild says Paris police have given permission for racing to resume.
Nous avons obtenu et reçu de la Prefecture de Police de Paris l’autorisation de reprendre les courses le 11 Mai. C’est une très bonne nouvelle et une vraie victoire !
— Edouard de Rothschild (@EddeRothschild) May 4, 2020
France has banned all other major sports until September because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Restrictions on runners from outside France are set to be imposed until at least the end of May.
The move by the French authorities is set to be followed by clarity both here and in the UK as to when the industry can safely allow the sport to go ahead behind closed doors.
For Ireland, that means two possible dates - May 18th, when the first stage of the lock down restrictions begin to ease, or June 29th, when behind closed doors sporting activity can resume where arrangements are made to maintain social distancing.
Confusion has arisen because Irish Racing is under the auspices of the Department of Agriculture, as is the case in France.
There were 10 Irish race meetings staged behind closed doors until the lockdown.
UK racing officials are hopeful that they will get the green light to resume on Friday May 15th.
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