An Irish jockey bound for next week's Cheltenham Festival has tested positive for Covid-19.
But the rider's self-isolation period will finish before the meeting begins and he should be allowed to ride at the meeting if providing a negative test result before travelling to the UK.
The jockey, who does not wish to be named, was one of 30 Irish riders to take part in a round of pre-Cheltenham testing.
The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Body (IHRB) said today: “In preparation for the Cheltenham festival, the IHRB has conducted a series of Covid-19 testing and one rider out of over 30 riders tested has returned a positive test in the second round of testing.
“The rider is self-isolating and is asymptomatic. He has no close contacts related to racing and will have completed the 10 day self-isolation in time to take up his rides at Cheltenham. No other rider has tested positive at this stage.”
Up to 200 Irish jockeys, trainers and stable staff are set to travel over to the Cotswolds next week for the four-day Festival that begins on Tuesday.
The behind closed doors event will see the creation of a special 'Irish zone', with accommodation and catering facilities provided for Irish visitors. While Irish jockeys will have a separate changing room to their British-based counterparts.
Current UK government restrictions already deny amateur jockeys - such as Irish pair Patrick Mullins and Jamie Codd - the opportunity to ride at this year's Festival.
