Crowds won't come back to racing in 'first half' of 2021, Association of Irish Racecourses fear

'At the moment it's hard to see mass crowds at anything in the first half of next year'

A general view of the Covid-19 sign at the parade ring at Down Royal Racecourse during last month's Ladbrokes Festival of Racing. Picture: INPHO/Presseye/Kelvin Boyes

Crowds are unlikely to return to racing in the first half of next year, the Association of Irish Racecourses have warned.

Paddy Walsh, chief executive of the group says that it is  "hard to see" a return of spectators before next summer.