The Kentucky Derby is being postponed from May to September because of growing concern about the coronavirus pandemic, according to a published report.
Citing unidentified sources close to the race, the Courier-Journal of Louisville said Churchill Downs will postpone the Derby from May 2 to Sept. 5, marking the first time in 75 years that the race won’t be run on the first Saturday in May.
A formal announcement will be made Tuesday.
The last time the Derby wasn’t held on the first Saturday in May was in 1945, when the federal government issued a ban on horse racing because of World War II. The ban was lifted on May 8, and the Derby was held on June 9. The only other year the Derby wasn’t held in May was in 1901, when it was raced on April 29.
The Derby is the latest major sporting event to be postponed or canceled because of the coronavirus outbreak, joining the men’s and women’s NCAA basketball tournaments and the Masters golf tournament. Professional basketball, baseball and hockey leagues also have suspended their seasons.
The news comes after the Grand National was postponed with staging the event behind closed doors “no longer considered a viable option”.
A decision to call off the Aintree meeting, which hosts the sport’s most renowned race, was taken after Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced mass gatherings could no longer be supported by emergency services during the escalating Covid-19 outbreak.
The government also advised against all unnecessary contact and non-essential travel, leaving organisers with no choice but to take the “hugely disappointing” decision.
A statement released by Sandy Dudgeon, senior steward at the Jockey Club, read: “The Randox Health Grand National Festival was just three weeks away and it’s very clear to us it will not be possible for the event to take place. Public health must come first.
“We were working on a plan to stage the Grand National behind closed doors given its importance to the racing industry and beyond, but following the new Government measures confirmed this evening to help to tackle the coronavirus outbreak, this is not a viable option.
“I know this is hugely disappointing news for the many people who work in our sport and the many millions who were looking forward to this year’s event, but very sadly these are exceptional times and this is the responsible thing to do.”
