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Wednesday 9 September 2020 15:49, UK
Doncaster will stage the final three days of the St Leger Festival behind closed doors after the local council called a halt to the crowd pilot scheme at the track.
The Town Moor venue welcomed an estimated 2,500 spectators to Wednesday's opening day, with that figure planned to rise around 6,000 for the Pertemps St Leger on Saturday.
However, the pilot began under the shadow of revised Government guidance that was outlined late on Tuesday evening, with gatherings to be limited to just six from Monday, rather than the 30-people limit that is in place now.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson was due to make a statement on the issue at 4pm, but Doncaster Council preempted that move by announcing it had instructed Arena Racing Company, which operates the track, to complete the meeting behind closed doors.
Damian Allen, chief executive at Doncaster Council, said the decision was "based on public health and public safety advice and that has to be heeded".
Arena Racing Company's managing director Mark Spincer said: "We have had confirmation this afternoon from the local authority that we will not be able to admit a crowd to the final three days of the St Leger Festival, Thursday 10 to Saturday 12 September.
"The race meeting will continue on a 'behind closed doors' basis, as per all other race meetings currently taking place in Britain.
"This pilot event represents a hugely important step not just for our business but for the whole of British racing as well as the sports and hospitality industries as a whole. We do, of course, fully understand and respect the decision and will be contacting all of our customers booked for the remaining three days as a matter of urgency.
"We were pleased to work closely with Doncaster Council to set up this pilot event in the manner that we had but matters beyond anyone's control, and the data that regarding local rates that have come to light today, mean we will not be able to welcome a crowd from Thursday onwards.
"We would, of course, like to thank all of our customers for their support in the run up to this event as well as our staff who have done a monumental job in preparing the site."
Allen said: "I would like to place on record my thanks to the management team at Doncaster Racecourse for their meticulous planning for the festival.
"They have been working positively with us and have put in significant amount of hours and hard work to prepare for and manage the event. The latest development of how the festival is to be held is based on public health and public safety advice and that has to be heeded.
"The St Leger does have a special significance for Doncaster and I do hope the festival is enjoyed remotely this year and indeed with the anticipated return of spectators for the entire festival in 2021."
