Leading
Irish trainer wants meeting to be postponed by a weekGer Lyons: current date ‘rules us out’ of Ascot’s juvenile races“Postpone Royal Ascot for at least a week” was the plea from a leading Irish trainer on Saturday, following the news that the sport in
Ireland will resume on 8 June.
British officials have insisted on leaving the meeting in its long-established slot, beginning on 16 June, which may mean very few or perhaps even no Irish runners in prestigious two-year-old races such as the Coventry Stakes.
“If you put the pressure on us by keeping Ascot on 16 June, you’re basically ruling us out,” Ger Lyons said in reference to the juvenile races. “If you want proper Ascot ... you’ll have to tell me, is Ascot really Ascot without the internationals?