Horse racing’s return has been welcomed by a top Kent trainer.

John Best, whose stables are based near Sittingbourne, has spoken of his relief at the resumption of the sport this week.

Monday’s Brenkley Handicap Stakes at Newcastle was the first racing on a British track since March 17.

John Best Racing, from Oad Street, Borden, were back in action on Tuesday with a runner in the 5.40 at Kempton, where jockey Kieran O’Neill led Rodney Le Roc (6/1) to a fifth place finish.

“It’s a huge relief for us,” said Mr Best, talking to KMTV about the sport’s return.

“It’s been a tough few months and it’s obviously been very difficult.

“We have to consider everyone and the whole situation but certainly from our own personal point of view it’s a huge relief really to be back and racing again.

“We were trying to get the horses fit and ready to race and were really struggling a bit because we had no end goal.”

Racing is behind closed doors and strict protocols are in place.

Temperatures of all of those involved are checked on arrival at the course and there new areas for jockeys to socially distance.

Trainers have had to digest a 30-page document prior to the return and have also had to complete an online course to make sure they are familiar with the procedures.

“It is tricky but it’s what we have to do to allow us to get back racing again,” said Mr Best.

“I think the jockeys will find it tough from the point of view that they won’t have the atmosphere without the people there, and they have all the same protocols to follow, so they are having to do all of the social distancing with their fellow jockeys as much as they possibly can.

“Obviously we all have to wear masks but everyone is of the opinion that we want to get back going again and for the general public it’s nice for them to have some live sport again.”

One of the last meetings before the sport's suspension took place at Cheltenham, a major event on the racing calendar. Huge crowds attended just days before lockdown measures came in.

Mr Best, who has had winners at Epsom and Royal Ascot, said: “It was the government who decided it was safe to compete and they went ahead. I don’t think if we were in the same situation again the government would have let it go ahead.”

Racing continues today (Wednesday) at Kempton and Great Yarmouth. John Best’s horse Casa Comigo is running in the Yarmouth Betway Handicap, today at 1.20.

On Saturday he has two starters at Lingfield and another at Newmarket.

You can see the interview with John Best here.

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