BHA to make late call on UK races amid flu

The British horseracing industry will soon find whether Wednesday’s meets will be held.

The British Horseracing Authority will make a decision late on Monday night on whether racing can resume on Wednesday following the recent outbreak of equine influenza.

The sport was rocked last Wednesday after it emerged three horses – which subsequently rose to six – were found to have the highly-infectious disease at Donald McCain’s stable in Cheshire.

The ruling body quickly enforced a six-day shutdown of racing in Britain and confirmed a call would be made on Monday about whether scheduled fixtures at Southwell, Plumpton, Musselburgh and Kempton could take place on Wednesday.

In the latest update on Monday afternoon, the BHA said no decision should be expected “before 10.30pm at the earliest”, which will allow the industry veterinary committee – which includes representation from the BHA, Animal Health Trust, British Equine Veterinary Association, National Trainers Federation, Racehorse Owners Association, Racecourse Association, Thoroughbred Breeders Association, and independent expertise – “to have access to the most recent evidence”.

“Analysis is ongoing at the AHT, in line with a prioritisation plan based on the potential exposure of horses to a horse that has tested positive (for example at the fixture at Ayr on February 6), or to a horse from a yard returning a positive test,” a statement said.

“Swabs will continue to be collected and tested from other horses, but some have been fast-tracked to help inform this evening’s decision making process.

“Separately, a specific plan is being formed as to what the clearance process will be for individual yards to return to racing. The details of this plan will be confirmed as part of the decision making process for any return to racing.

“Should the decision be taken to return to racing on Wednesday, declarations for any fixtures staged will be at 10am on Tuesday. The BHA would provide further updates regarding the declaration process for any fixtures staged on Thursday and beyond.”

The news appeared positive after 720 initial tests for the virus came back negative on Saturday.

However, although the BHA has revealed approximately 700 further tests carried out on Sunday also returned no other positive samples, there was a blow late on Sunday evening after the BHA announced that four vaccinated horses at the yard of trainer Simon Crisford had been found to have the virus.

Crisford says there is “no obvious connection” between the horses that have tested positive and their stablemate who ran at a potential risk fixture last week.

Crisford was one of the 174 stables to be placed in lockdown because he had a runner at Newcastle last Tuesday – after which trainer Rebecca Menzies, who had also had runners at the meeting, reported a “suspicious” case.

Menzies’ horses have subsequently returned negative results for equine flu, while Crisford confirmed his Newcastle runner, Sajanjl, is also clear of the virus.