Goodwood to allow attendance of 5,000 racegoers as part of pilot event tests

Racegoers will be allowed to attend the final day of the Qatar Goodwood Festival after the Government confirmed the fixture would be one of the pilot events to welcome crowds back to elite sporting events in England.

The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) on Friday announced a small number of sporting events, including horse racing, will be used to pilot the safe return of spectators through July and August.

Goodwood has been chosen as the appropriate place for the return of racegoers in a potentially important step forward in the economic recovery of racing from the Covid-19 pandemic – nearly two months after the sport returned behind closed doors.

Attendance will initially be offered to Goodwood annual members and their guests.

David Armstrong, chief executive of the Racecourse Association and chair of the welcoming crowds industry group, said: “We welcome the fact that horseracing is to be selected as one of the pilot events to welcome back crowds and my team and I acknowledge the great responsibility upon us.

“The safety protocols involved will be stringent and the Goodwood Racecourse team are in a fantastic place to implement them.

“The sport has come together to offer support to ensure the pilot event provides us with sufficient learnings that others may follow in time. These learnings will allow us to draft industry-wide protocols for the wider scale return of crowds as soon as we are able.

“Crowds bring a wonderful atmosphere to a raceday and many businesses associated with racecourses are reliant upon them. I sincerely hope that all involved enjoy their day – our focus now turns to supporting the Goodwood team in what is a landmark day for the sport.”