Duke of Richmond sends message to disappointed Goodwood members after crowd test is axed
Prime minister Boris Johnson announced on Friday - just 24 hours before the gates were set to open to allow 5,000 people into the racecourse for Saturday's fixture - that test events to allow fans back into major sporting events were being put on hold because of worries over Covid-19 infection rates.
It is a huge blow to Goodwood, who had spent a six-figure sum getting the racecourse ready and safe for racegoers to attend without any unnecessary risk of the spread of the virus.
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Hide AdInstead the final day of Glorious will, like the first four days, be run behind closed doors.
The Duke of Richmond immediately wrote to members to say how sorry and disappointed he was that their day at the races was off.
He wrote: "I am so sorry to have to let you know that our raceday tomorrow will not be in front of spectators after all and will revert to being behind closed doors.
"The Prime Minister announced at 12pm today that all Pilot events are to be cancelled for the next two weeks due to concern about infection rates nationwide, we are so disappointed.
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Hide Ad"We have pushed hard to be involved in the programme and when asked to take part, we were thrilled. In order to deliver in the time, the team have put in a massive effort, as I was desperate not to have a Glorious meeting without our members present and also passionate about getting things going again.
"I am so sorry to be the bearer of such bad news and we will very much miss having you with us tomorrow. Hopefully we will get another opportunity to enjoy racing together on top of the Downs later in the year."