JON BARNETT


locked out. The marquee summer meetings represent a


significant income stream for the likes of Goodwood, Ascot and York, so empty stands make for a heſty financial hit. In the West Sussex course’s case – the ‘Glorious’


aggregate attendance in 2019 was 99,762 – the cost of COVID-19 last year was £1.5million. “When we locked down in mid-March, we all felt


that there was a real, strong chance that ‘Glorious’ would happen with crowds, and we moved the three music nights we do in June to August. “Our actions spoke louder than words – ‘if Glorious doesn’t happen, then August will definitely happen.’ “And, of course – as far as crowds were concerned – none of it happened.”


The pandemic did not relent for the crowds


to return during high summer, but in July the government announced plans for a ‘pilot’ reintroduction of spectators. Aſter plans had been submitted to the Department


for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport, the World Snooker Championship, two county cricket matches and Stewards’ Cup day on August 1 were chosen to host the trials. Goodwood’s preparations to welcome up to 5,000


racegoers – including course-branded lobster – were in place when Downing Street aborted the project at lunchtime the previous day. And the lobsters made their way to Chichester’s


food banks. “We had a hellish time in 2020,” reflects Barnett, “but the biggest low of the whole season was when


RACING TV CLUBMAGAZINE 19


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