The Aintree Grand National meeting was due to start today, but instead, the UK Jockey Club are believed to have placed 400 staff on temporary leave.
The Daily Mail are reporting that the organisation, which runs 15 racecourses such as Aintree and Cheltenham, have stood down almost two-thirds of their staff temporarily due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Racing staff that will need to be in place to maintain racecourses to open at the end of the pandemic will be kept in constant employment, with the measure reported to encompass marketing, sales and catering staff.
The Jockey Club will donate 10,000 tickets to National Health Service staff in the Merseyside area for the first day of the 2021 Grand National meeting.
This Saturday's Grand National will be the first not to take place since the race was voided after a false start in 1993.
ITV 1 are broadcasting a 'virtual Grand National' at 5pm on Saturday, with computer algorithms deciding on the winner. Bookmakers will take bets on the race, with the proceeds going to NHS charities.
Among the entries is Tiger Roll, who would have attempted to win the race for a third successive year this Saturday for Meath trainer Gordon Elliott, Cork jockey Davy Russell and owner Michael O'Leary had the actual race gone ahead.
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