The Doncaster races return to behind closed doors on Thursday

Health officials from the Doncaster Council have ordered the last three days of the St Leger meeting to be held behind closed doors, pending the expected significant tightening of the government’s Covid-19 restrictions later on Wednesday.

The opening day of the four-day rally on Wednesday has welcomed more than 3,000 paying racers, the first on a UK racetrack since the Covid-19 pandemic in March ruined the sport.

But now the return of race-goers on the track and fans of other sports returning to events is again shrouded in uncertainty.

Dr. Rupert Suckling, Director of Health on the Doncaster Borough Board, said: “I am assessing the situation daily based on the 10 tests I scheduled for the event. I am concerned that the 10th and final test regarding the risks of critical incidents covered during the event, such as managing gatherings of people, the risks of public disorder throughout the city district, will be jeopardized by possibly more people meeting ahead of any further government changes to the Coronavirus advisory this weekend.

“The current infection rate for the municipality is currently 10.6 infections per 100,000 people I updated about today and this is an increase due to a range of factors including an increase in testing and a delay in incoming test results.

‘That’s why, for reasons of public health and public safety, I ordered the racecourse to hold the St Leger Festival behind closed doors from tomorrow.

The racing of the day will continue today, as it will be safer to drive racers on the spot and with improved testing and tracking it will be easier to identify where they are from rather than closing the event today and connecting people to their fate in Doncaster and the community in general.

“I understand that this decision may not be reached with universal agreement, but it is the safest and most appropriate way to move forward for everyone’s interests in the congregation and beyond.”

The Doncaster pilot event was seen as a template for future hustle and bustle on race tracks, with more planned in Newmarket and Warwick this month.

The news also begs the question of whether supporters in other sports, such as football, will be allowed back into stadiums.

Boris Johnson is expected to release further news on Wednesday afternoon regarding the return of spectators at events.

As it stands, football supporters will be admitted in October, cutting clubs to between 15 and 35 percent, although that could change if there is a further spike in coronavirus cases.