Hunter chases have been abandoned, special measures enlisted for the royal procession at Ascot and retired racehorse parades cancelled owing to the continued rise in equine flu cases.
The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has announced that only horses from licensed training yards will be allowed to enter racecourses on racedays from Wednesday (20 May).
“With a continued rise in reported equine influenza cases in the non-thoroughbred population, this is a precautionary measure to prevent any mixing between the thoroughbred racing herd and horses and ponies from yards that are not licensed,” said a statement from the BHA.
This means all scheduled hunter chases from 20 May, including the popular hunter chase evening at Stratford on 29 May, have been called off. Other equine events due to take place on British racecourses, including Retraining of Racehorses (RoR) parades, are also cancelled.
The BHA statement also said the authority is “working with Ascot racecourse to replicate the biosecurity measures of a licensed premises to enable the royal procession to go ahead without any increased risk”. Traditionally, members of the royal family and invited guests arrive in a horse-drawn procession before racing each day at Royal Ascot.
Biosecurity measures will also be required for police horses attending the racecourse. Conversations are already in progress around this and the BHA will meet with Ascot, the police and others to work through the practicalities.
James Given, BHA director of equine regulation, safety and welfare, said: “The news today will understandably be disappointing for many people, but levels of equine flu are higher than at any time in recent history and it’s essential that we take all necessary steps to protect the thoroughbred herd.
“These measures follow extensive engagement with independent infectious disease experts about how we further reduce the risk of exposure and ensure the continuity of racing.
“In addition to vaccination, this can be best achieved by preventing the mixing of racehorses with horses and ponies from premises that are not licensed by the BHA, where we have more limited information about their health and vaccination status.”
The racecourse restrictions will remain in place until the BHA is “confident that the levels of equine influenza in the British horse population have fallen and there is no heightened risk to the thoroughbred racing herd”.
“I’m encouraged by the response we have already seen from the racing community about the vital importance of maintaining the biosecurity of the thoroughbred racing herd. We continue to urge constant vigilance, especially around the movement and mixing of horses,” said Mr Given.
“Information about vaccination, infection control measures and spotting the signs of flu are available on the BHA website.”
The BHA is working with the racecourses that were due to hold hunter chases to discuss options for potentially replacing lost races.
Racecourses will also be required to increase the period of time between hosting an equine event involving horses from unlicensed premises and a licensed raceday taking place to six clear days (from three).
The measures follow consultation with experts at Equine Infectious Disease Surveillance (EIDS) and the Racecourse Association’s representative on the BHA veterinary group. The BHA has also engaged with affected racecourses, the ROR, the Point-to-Point Authority and the Pony Racing Authority.
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