Duke of Richmond sends message to disappointed Goodwood members after crowd test is axed

The Duke of Richmond has sent a personal message to the racecourse members whose attendance at the final day of Glorious Goodwood has been banned by an 11th-hour government ruling.
By Steve Bone
Published 31st Jul 2020, 19:01 BST
Updated 31st Jul 2020, 19:03 BST
No need for the signs now - benches put in place to keep Saturday's crowd micely distanced / Picture: Alan Crowhurst, GettyNo need for the signs now - benches put in place to keep Saturday's crowd micely distanced / Picture: Alan Crowhurst, Getty
No need for the signs now - benches put in place to keep Saturday's crowd micely distanced / Picture: Alan Crowhurst, Getty

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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Instead the final day of Glorious will, like the first four days, be run behind closed doors.

The careful placing of benches was just one of the jobs Goodwood staff had spent two weeks doing to prepare the venue for a 5,000 crowd / Picture: Alan Crowhurst, GettyThe careful placing of benches was just one of the jobs Goodwood staff had spent two weeks doing to prepare the venue for a 5,000 crowd / Picture: Alan Crowhurst, Getty
The careful placing of benches was just one of the jobs Goodwood staff had spent two weeks doing to prepare the venue for a 5,000 crowd / Picture: Alan Crowhurst, Getty

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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"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."

Goodwood's crowd plans scuppered by Boris Johnson announcement..

The two senteences from the PM that spelled the end of Goodwood's 5,000 crowd scheme.

Friday's racing - Battaash is brilliant but cloud is cast over day.

Related topics:Glorious GoodwoodBoris JohnsonPrime Minister