Richard Fahey column on coronavirus impact on Musley Bank team

But in terms of our sport we are working daily with and for two of the most important participants, horses and owners. Without either there’s no racing and it’s a very difficult time for everyone in the sport.

We just want to be prepared to start when we can – we don’t want to miss a week when we get the green light to resume.

But clearly – and rightly – nothing can or will happen until the country is safe and we have full government backing.

I’m led to believe the racecourses were expected to say this week which of them would be able to and also want to race behind closed doors when we do resume.

Next week too we are expecting some sort of plan of fixtures and races for when it is possible to go - but again everyone understands this can’t happen until it is safe to do so.

These are very different times. We don’t have any jockeys riding out here at Musley Bank at the moment. Our staff are quarantined, we’re fortunate on that front. And the same as every yard up and down the land, we’re taking temperatures all the time, washing hands regularly, using sanitizer and adapting our schedule to fit in with the social distancing requirements.

The horses are in great form – they’re fit and well – and the older ones are ready to go.

The two-year-olds are continuing their education. The good weather has helped and I’m very pleased with where they all are.

Hopefully we'll soon have an idea of what the road ahead looks like so we are ready to go when the situation changes.

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