Fancy That... Sport Is Back

Racing pigeons took flight, snooker cued off and the Queen settled in for a day at the races – as sport finally returned yesterday.

- Richard Palmer

Her Majesty, a devoted horse racing fan, is understood to have devoted part of her afternoon to watching the sport’s return after a 76-day hiatus.

Buckingham Palace declined to comment but other sources said she tuned in for part of ITV’s live coverage.

The long lay-off has cost the sport £50 million, according to the British Horseracing Authority, and racecourses have been losing an average of £8million a month.

But yesterday it began the long road back at a 10-race meeting held behind closed doors on the all-weather track at Newcastle.

Jockeys wore faces masks and access to the course was limited. Everyone there had to complete a medical questionnaire online, undergo a temperature check on arrival and adhere to strict social distancing rules.