A number of punters who attended the Cheltenham Festival are claiming they are now showing symptoms of coronavirus.
The four-day meeting went ahead last week despite widespread criticism as sporting events all around the world were cancelled.
The British Horse Racing Authority yesterday announced that all meetings in the UK from today until the end of April have been cancelled, including the Grand National at Aintree.
More than 250,000 fans attended Cheltenham and as of Monday, 10 people have now tested positive for coronavirus in Gloucestershire.
One user said on Twitter: “I’ve been in bed with a nasty fever, headache, mild cough and back pain for nearly four days now, I’m completely exhausted and have no urge to move or eat.
“I’ve been in self-isolation at home alone since Friday. I don’t know if this is the flu or Covid-19 as I can’t get tested.”
Another commented: “I was at Cheltenham for three days last week and I am now showing all the symptoms of coronavirus, please be careful everyone.”
Someone else replied to the above tweet: “Was there as well and showing signs.”
It comes as Rich Ricci, husband to racehorse owner Suzannah Ricci, said he was shocked the festival was unaffected by the killer virus.
He told Racing TV: “Surprising is the word that comes to mind. I thought all week they might do something, but I suppose you follow the advice you’re given and we heard what the government said all week.
“Cheltenham did an outstanding job with the precautions they took and the extra sanitisers around, the encouragement for people to wash their hands, bringing in extra hot water on the last day to support the crowds. I think Cheltenham did a fantastic job.
“I was surprised, delightedly surprised [it wasn’t affected], but you follow the advice you’re given.”
The Irish Mirror contacted The Jockey Club, who operate Cheltenham Racecourse, for comment.
