French horseracing cleared for return

French horseracing will return on 11 May as scheduled despite a late challenge to the planned resumption.

A report last week suggested that a last-minute challenge to the French government’s plan to restart the racing calendar had been lodged, with France Galop and other governing bodies confirming the discussions.

However, those fears were dispelled following a tweet from France Galop president Edouard de Rothschild that confirmed racing would return following a near eight-week absence amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Je voulais gagner cette course la plus que toutes les autres . Ensemble nous l’avons fait!
Bravo @EmmanuelMacron @EPhilippePM @bayrou @PAugier @dguillaume20 @JPBarjon et tous les acteurs des courses. la reprise des courses est acceptée. Montrons leur qu ils ont eu raison! 🐎

— Edouard de Rothschild (@EddeRothschild) May 8, 2020

Races will be held behind closed doors and the action starts at ParisLongchamp before further races at Compiègne and Toulouse.

In a statement, France Galop praised the French government for allowing racing to go ahead and stressed the importance of following the latest coronavirus safety protocols.

The statement reads: “The racing authorities welcome the decision made by the President of France Emmanuel Macron and would like to thank Prime Minister Edouard Philippe, as well as Ministers Didier Guillaume and Gérald Darmanin for their intervention and support of the industry.

“The parent companies would like to point out the importance of respecting the barrier gestures at the racecourses and thank everyone involved for following the sanitary procedures to the letter, which is crucial for the resumption of racing.”