South Australian trainers have been granted permission to exercise the horses in their care, but cannot train them during the six-day lockdown across the state.
Thoroughbred Racing SA (TRSA) announced the ruling on Thursday morning, with trainers and their staff including jockeys and trackwork riders able to provide care for their horses.
➡️ Trainers & their employees confirmed as essential workers
➡️ Exercising horses restricted to sand & artificial tracks
➡️ Club staff essential to open, close & maintain training venuesFantastic news confirmed this morning! Stay safe SA❤️
FULL INFO | https://t.co/0AjBxWEuHV pic.twitter.com/iStHAjtzTd
— TheRacesSA (@TheRacesSA) November 18, 2020
“Trainers and their employees are defined as essential workers under the Direction and can attend stables and training venues to provide care and adequate exercise for the horses that are in stables and boxes. Club staff essential to open, close and maintain training venues can attend their respective training venue,” A TRSA statement read.
“Exercising horses for the next six days will be restricted to sand and artificial tracks, there will be no grass gallops.
“All social distancing requirements must be observed when horses are being fed and provided adequate exercise.
“All persons attending stables and training venues for the purpose of providing care and adequate exercise for horses upon leaving home or residence must go straight to their stable and/or training venue, undertake the necessary activities required and upon completion immediately leave and return straight to their home or residence.”
All racing in South Australia has been called off during the six-day lockdown, starting from Wednesday night.
