There has been panic in the horseracing sector after it was announced that certain sports need to apply to resume by the Minister of Sports this morning.

The Minister of Sport has outlined numerous conditions for non contact sport to resume. However sports like cricket, swimming, tennis and athletics have all been given the green light to start on June 1.

The probable reason that Horseracing was not included in that statement is because it isn't classified as a sport under the Sports Ministry and rather as part of Agriculture.

Vee Moodley, CEO of the NHA stated, "NHA has operated under the Animal Improvement Act. We applied to DAFF (Dept Of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries) for a permit to operate under level 5 and 4. This was granted. Reason being we could not race under level 4 was the movement of horse was restricted to 6am to 9am and no more than 5km. Under Level 3 movement of horses is allowed between 6 am and 6pm and that non contact sport is allowed."

Racing should not panic at this stage and continue to follow guidelines that provide a strict foundation to all Covid related needs for protection. That should suffice.