2020 News
COVID-19 News Update: NOTICE regarding JRA racing from Saturday, April 25 through Sunday, May 31
The Japan Racing Association has, from Saturday, Feb. 29, conducted “JRA racing behind closed doors,” in which, as part of measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, the public has been prohibited from entering venues where races are being held.
The same conditions will prevail from Saturday, April 25 through the Grade 1 Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) on Sunday, May 31. There will be NO spectators permitted at the races.
In addition, there will continue to be NO sales of betting tickets or payout for winning tickets on racedays, as well as no payout on weekdays at all JRA and off-track betting facilities until further notice.
During this time, the sale of betting tickets and payout for winning tickets will be conducted only via telephone or online betting.
The Japan Racing Association will announce further notice concerning operations from Saturday, June 6 in the near future.
Also, please be aware that the above conditions may change due to the socio-economic situation.
[Initiatives to Prevent the Spread of Infection]
- Extension of Race Restrictions on Horses by Area
- Extension of Restrictions on Jockey Travel During Race Meetings
- Extension on 'Authorized Jockey Quarter' Procedure
The effective period for measures enforced from Saturday, April 18 to prevent the spread of the coronavirus by restricting race participation by horses according to area will be extended as follows.
1. Racing Restrictions on Horses (Participation in races restricted according to home base)
Horses are not permitted to participate in races at venues other than those located near their home base either Miho or Ritto Training Center. This, however, does NOT apply to open-class and jump races.
Horses are permitted to race at the meetings and venues according to their training center home base as designated below.
Miho Training Center-based Horses |
Hanshin Racecourse [Mar. 28 and 29; Apr. 4, 5, 11, 12, 18 and 19] |
Ritto Training Center-based Horses |
Nakayama Racecourse [Mar. 28, 29 and 31; Apr. 4, 5, 11, 12, 18 and 19] |
2. Effective Period: From Saturday, April 18 through Sunday, May 31
Extension of Restrictions on Jockey Travel During Race Meetings
The effective period for measures enforced from Saturday, April 18 to prevent the spread of the coronavirus by restricting jockey travel between racecourses during race meetings on the same weekend will be extended as follows.
1. Restrictions on Jockey Travel (Restrictions During Race Meetings on the Same Weekend)
During race meetings, jockeys are not permitted to travel in order to ride at different racecourses on different days on the same weekend. (i.e., a jockey may not ride at Nakayama Racecourse on Saturday and at Hanshin Racecourse on Sunday.) However, this restriction does NOT apply to jockeys riding in jump races.
2. Effective Period: From Saturday, April 18 through Sunday, May 31
Extension on 'Authorized Jockey Quarter' Procedure
Due to the spread of the coronavirus, the effective period for the “Authorized Jockey Quarters” procedure enforced from Friday, April 10 aimed at reducing the risk of jockeys being infected or infecting others will be extended as follows.
1. Regarding ‘Authorized Jockey Quarter’ Procedure
In addition to the normal procedures regarding Jockey Quarters, jockeys will be permitted to travel to the racetrack from those places (private residence, hotels) that have been designated “Authorized Jockey Quarters.”
Jockeys staying in “Authorized Jockey Quarters” must comply strictly with the rules and procedures in effect to ensure racing integrity. Those who breach protocol will be penalized, with consequences that may include suspension from riding.
2. Effective Period: From Friday, April 10 through Sunday, May 31
