coronavirus in France

As France continues its lockdown due to the Coronavirus crisis, Chantilly-based trainer Fabrice Chappet was able to give an insight to the situation from the training ranks. He spoke with the TDN's Tom Frary about stable protocols, the probability of racing resume on schedule and some of the horses he is looking forward to in his yard when it does. TF: What has been the affect of the lockdown on your day-to-day working situation? FC: At this stage we have been blessed to be allowed to continue exercising our horses...

With France on Tuesday placed under a mandatory 15-day lockdown, whereby all but 'essential' outings are prohibited, the likelihood of the Thoroughbred breeding season continuing during the COVID-19 pandemic has been called into question. Though government directives are changing day-to-day-and rumours are spreading as quickly as the coronavirus itself-as of Wednesday afternoon it was business almost as usual at major studs in the Normandy region. "Things tend to change very quickly and there is a certain amount of [speculation] going around on Twitter and elsewhere suggesting the breeding season should...

French horse racing, both for Thoroughbreds and Standardbreds, has been cancelled until Apr. 15, effective Tuesday, as a means to help combat the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic. A joint statement from France Galop and LeTROT read, "Our top priority is the health of all stakeholders in the industry and compliance with state directives. By suspending all competition, we want first and foremost to protect them from the current pandemic. With this decision, the French horse racing industry also shows its solidarity and responsibility towards the entire Nation. "We are fully aware...