Britain’s winningmost Flat trainer Mark Johnston is currently self-isolating having tested positive for coronavirus last week.
Speaking to the Racing Post, his wife Deirdre said: “I think he turned a corner yesterday. He’s been really, really poorly, it’s been very scary.
“We went into lockdown last Tuesday night, that’s when his temperature was up above 39. We organised a test in the hope that it wasn’t that and that we could all go back to work.
“This was when he wasn’t too bad, he had a temperature and a little bit of a cough, but he was still doing emails and everything else and he didn’t seem too bad. But by Sunday he was just terrible, and he has been in bed ever since.
“Everybody has been brilliant – the team is keeping everything going. I just can’t wait for Mark to be well and get back to the horses.
“We just wish everybody else well and hope they don’t get this because it is not nice, and Mark’s not even as bad as the poor people who have to go into hospital.”
Spencer injured in gallops fall
Jockey Jamie Spencer has been taken to Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge after sustaining a hip injury in an accident on the gallops in Newmarket on Friday.
The accident happened while Spencer was riding out for David Simcock, who told the Racing Post: “It was one of those unfortunate things. A horse was walking along and slipped.
“It looked a very innocuous fall – my wife saw it happen and she said it was like slow motion – but he landed all wrong. We’re so conscious of horses getting fresh and this happened after exercise and he couldn’t have been quieter.
“Jamie has injured his hip and he may have to have a little bit of surgery. He was in a lot of pain, but he was always in good spirits.”
Opening of Belmont Park delayed
The New York Racing Association has pushed back the start of Belmont Park’s spring/summer season due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Belmont Park’s opening day was originally meant to be April 24 and the NYRA are continuing to assess options for the Grade 1 Belmont Stakes, which is scheduled for June 6.
In a statement, Chief Executive and President Dave O’Rourke said: “We are working closely with the New York State Gaming Commission and public health officials to determine a timeline for the resumption of live racing at Belmont Park.
“The health and safety of our racing community is paramount, and any decisions or necessary adjustments to the racing schedule and operations must reflect that priority.
“I’d like to thank New York’s horsemen and the backstretch community for their dedicated and patience as we navigate these uncertain times together.”
