Horseracing has been given the all-clear to return at Newcastle on Monday with culture minister Oliver Dowden declaring on Saturday “the wait is over” for the return of live sport.

Racing was shut down by the BHA on March 18 — less than a week after the conclusion of the Cheltenham Festival — when government guidance changed withdrawing support for mass gatherings, while implementing social distancing and restricting all non-essential travel.

However, Britain will join France, Germany, America, Japan, Australia and Hong Kong among others in operating the sport behind closed doors from Monday after the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) moved to stage three of its guidance for professional sport, clearing the way for the action to return.

Newcastle card on Monday

Dowden said: "The wait is over. Live British sport will shortly be back on in safe and carefully controlled environments.

"This guidance provides the safe framework for sports to resume competitions behind closed doors. It's now up to individual sports to confirm they can meet these protocols and decide when it's right for them to restart.

"This is a significant moment for British sport. By working with clinicians every step of the way, we're creating the safest possible environments for everyone involved."

Speaking at the Downing Street Covid-19 update, Dowden added: “It’s up to each individual sport to make the decision exactly when to resume competition — they know their sports best. It’s been a huge challenge to get to this point.

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