Kentucky Derby set to be postponed until September as US battles coronavirus

The Kentucky Derby is expected to be postponed until September due to the coronavirus outbreak, according to reports in the US overnight.

Churchill Downs is expected to announce on Tuesday that the 146th running of the historic race will not take place on its usual slot on the first Saturday of May.

There were 25 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Kentucky and one death as of Monday night with governor Andy Beshear tightening regulations on bars and restaurants and moving the primary election to June.

Beshear said: “Whether you agree or disagree, I’m doing everything I can to protect our people. I know it’s tough on everybody. But we can do this.”

Country House won the race last year after Maximum Security was disqualified, while Justify was successful the previous year on the way to becoming the 13th horse to complete the prestigious US Triple Crown.