Horse racing in Japan continues without audiences

The Japan Racing Association (JRA) has cancelled the reopening of Niigata Racecourse.

Japan.- The Japan Racing Association (JRA) has cancelled the reopening of the Niigata Racecourse to the public, while other racecourses will continue run behind closed doors.

The JRA had said the Niigata Racecourse would reopen to audiences from August 15. Now, it says the reopening has been cancelled.

It said: “Due to the recent pronounced spread of infection of coronavirus nationwide, the reopening of the racecourse has been suspended and we decided to keep the racing behind closed doors.

“We must apologise for the great inconvenience caused our customers who had already reserved or purchased reserved seats. We also apologise for the concern this may have caused customers of JRA racing.”

The JRA has already created a website with issues on refunds for those who purchased tickets for the races.

The Kokura Racecourse and the Sapporo Racecourse will continue activities behind closed doors.

Races at JRA venues have been running without audiences since February 29 as part of efforts to contain the spread of the coronavirus. Off-track betting shops reopened to the public in July.