First four English Classics postponed; Royal Ascot canceled for spectators

The first four Classic races on the English calendar have been postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic, it was announced Tuesday.

The English 1000 and 2000 Guineas, scheduled for May 2 and May 3 at Newmarket, and the Oaks and Derby at Epsom on June 5 and June 6 won’t be run as scheduled, the Jockey Club said in a news release.

Race organizers are considering alternative dates later in the year for the races. All racing in England has ceased through the month of April, though the sport still hopes to resume racing operations in May.

It also was announced Tuesday that the 2020 Royal Ascot meeting will be run spectator-free, if it is run at all.

An Ascot release said the famed Royal meeting, scheduled this year from June 16-20, would not be open to the public. The release said it remained possible that the meeting could take place “behind closed doors,” depending on policies set forth by the British government generally and the British Horseracing Authority in particular.

“Planning for this is now our complete focus and we will update on progress as and when we can,” the release said.

Ascot also announced that races scheduled for the weekend of May 8-9 would be run spectator-free if the cards are able to go forward.

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