James Sullivan says wearing masks while riding will be strange to start with but, in the end, it shouldn’t pose a problem for jockeys.
To the delight of equine enthusiasts, UK racing made its return on Monday, two-and-a-half months since the last meeting was held at Wetherby, with a bumper 10-race card at Newcastle.
Strict government guidelines mean the action must be behind closed doors for the foreseeable future, while jockeys are also required to wear face masks when they ride to minimise the chance of spreading coronavirus.
Sullivan was aboard the Roger Fell-trained Zodiakos for the first race in the North East, one of 12 runners, and the duo managed to overcome stablemate Al Ozzdi by a neck to win the Betway Welcome Back British Racing Handicap.
The jockey admits he was blowing at the end on his first race back since March and although the masks did make life a bit tougher, he doesn’t envisage any major problems with them.
“In this heat today, riding in the mask, it is very warm and after pulling up I pulled it down a little just to get a few breaths in,” he was quoted as saying by sportinglife. “It wasn’t too bad, though, it’s manageable and it’s the sort of thing that in a week you won’t even notice it.”
