The arrival of coronavirus in Kentucky forced officials to pause on many activities across the Commonwealth. That included the horse racing industry. It’s too soon to know when horses could be coming down the stretch again in the Bluegrass State.
There is currently no horse racing in Kentucky. Keeneland canceled it’s spring meet and the Kentucky Derby has been moved to Labor Day weekend. Kentucky Thoroughbred Association Director Chauncey Morris says the financial hit to the racing industry is sizeable. “It’s been very considerable. The loss of purse money that’s generated both by live racing handle turnover and also turnover that happens at the historical racing facilities that are here in Kentucky. None of those are operating,” said Morris.
Morris noted there’s hope that live racing, in some form or fashion, will resume this summer, but he admits it could be without spectators.
Horse breeding in Kentucky, a major part of the economic and cultural landscape of the Bluegrass State, runs roughly from February to the end of May. And while the coronavirus has impacted all kinds of businesses, Chauncey Morris said breeding continues. “We have gone to extraordinary measures, working with government officials in order to ensure that the breeding sheds can remain open and that the workers that are manning those sheds, they are kept safe and we have business continuity,” noted Morris.
Morris added there are more than 200 stallions that stand in Kentucky at some 40 farms. In additional the Thoroughbred Association director said there are over 400 nurseries.
Here's the interview with KTA Director Chauncey Morris on the status of racing and breeding:
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