London’s racecourses stay open despite foot-and-mouth

Four racecourses and one racehorse trainer lie within the new foot-and-mouth (FMD) surveillance zone. But all can continue with business as usual, provided they carry out appropriate biosecurity measures.

Racing continued at Kempton Park last night — just miles from the foot-and-mouth outbreak in Egham, Surrey — but every car and horsebox coming onto the racecourse was disinfected.

Racing will also continue at Ascot, Sandown Park and Windsor — with vehicle disinfection also a priority.

One trainer lies within the FMD 10km surveillance zone, but the British Horseracing Authority has allowed him to continue to have runners, provided he carries out “appropriate biosecurity measures” on his horses before they leave the yard.

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