Racing
Nick Scholfield discusses the impact of Coronavirus on racing
We caught up with Nick Scholfield to discuss the impact of Coronavirus on the racing industry and to find out how he’s been keeping himself busy.
What have you been up to since lockdown?
Nick Scholfield: I’ve been trying to make the best of a bad situation. I’m actually riding out for a flat trainer to keep myself occupied which helps keep your mind right in the morning. The flat trainer is James Fanshawe, so it’s good experience for me.
The indications are that jump racing will be back no earlier than July. The trainers I ride for have turned a lot of their horses out to give them early summer breaks. They’ll be getting some of those horses back in the next week or two.
Unfortunately there’s very little for me to do in those yards at the moment, so I’m just trying to keep fit, to keep the weight down and to keep my eye in. I’m lucky in that sense as my girlfriend is a fitness instructor, so she is keeping me on my toes.
What is the potential impact of this crisis on jockeys?
Nick Scholfield: Jockeys are largely self-employed and although some will qualify for the government help, if you earn over a certain amount you’re not eligible for it. It’s hard times for everyone really.
We’re certainly not under the illusion that we’re in a worse boat than anyone else though. Everyone has been affected by this in some way or another.
Is there likely the be a long term impact on the industry?
Nick Scholfield: Not so much in jump racing. It was obviously sad to lose the Grand National and Punchestown as well as a few other big jump meetings. However, hopefully they will kick off next season like normal.
It’s a different story for flat racing though. The flat trainers will be thinking that their three-year-olds will only have one year in it now and that could have a knock on effect with breeding and pedigree. So it’s not good news for the flat racing industry and they’ll be keen to get it back on as soon as possible.
Can you see and yards or tracks going under as a result of this crisis?
Nick Scholfield: Certainly. I suspect there will be a lot of trainers under plenty of pressure at the moment as a lot of them have big rents to pay.
None of us ever expected to be here. I know some of the horses I’ve been riding were being put back for certain races so it’s just so disappointing for everyone.
You also have to consider the owners, many of whom will own businesses which will be impacted by this. If they come under financial pressure and racing is their hobby, the first thing they’ll get rid of is their horse. Hopefully the owners will still be there at the end of it.
When racing returns, will it be behind closed door?
Nick Scholfield: They’ll do whatever is necessary. I think it will work even if behind closed doors as at least you’d still be able to watch it on TV and bet plus the levy is there to be set up and run. It would only be on a short term basis anyway you’d imagine.
Unfortunately, though, nobody has the answers to the questions at the moment as it’s a worldwide problem with no real timescale on it. If the country doesn’t have a timescale, I’m not sure how racing can.
There seems to be a lot of criticism of Cheltenham going ahead. Is this unfair?
Nick Scholfield: Look, if the Grand National was still on this weekend people would be up in arms but I’m not sure about Cheltenham. You’ll always get the minority who criticise decisions but I’m sure if you asked everyone who attended Cheltenham, 98% would have no complaints.
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