Ffos Las Racecourse in west Wales has moved the start of Wednesday's race meeting from 5.40pm to 3.35pm because of the solar eclipse, following guidance from the British Horseracing Authority. The eclipse, which will be the most significant since 1999, is also affecting several The Hundred cricket matches, with floodlights set to remain on through the evening games.
Racing schedule moved earlier
The meeting at Ffos Las was originally due to begin at 5.40pm on Wednesday, but the start time has been brought forward by more than two hours. The decision follows guidance from the British Horseracing Authority, as millions of people across the UK and Europe prepare for the event on Wednesday evening.
Cricket matches affected
Two The Hundred matches in Wales are affected: Welsh Fire women face London Spirit women at 11.30am in Cardiff, followed by the men's game at 3pm. Elsewhere, Birmingham Phoenix women host MI London at Edgbaston from 3pm, before the men's teams play at 6.30pm.
Eclipse path and timing
The eclipse will begin in Siberia, Russia, before travelling through Alaska in the USA at 4:30pm BST, then moving to Greenland and Europe. Over 90% of the sun is set to be covered by the moon across most of the UK, while parts of Iceland and Spain will experience a total eclipse. From the UK, it will be visible from around 6pm, peaking an hour later.
The event comes nearly 27 years to the day since a total eclipse on August 11, 1999, which led to a League Cup tie between Torquay United and Portsmouth being called off. Thousands of tourists had travelled to the area for the eclipse, leaving local police understaffed to manage the stadium safely. The match was played six days later, ending in a 0-0 draw at Plainmoor Stadium.
Special solar eclipse glasses have become completely unavailable across Wales ahead of the event, and experts have warned that those hoping to watch the eclipse should not look directly at the sun without protection or risk seriously damaging their eyes.
