Southwell Racecourse to host fixture tomorrow after British Horseracing Authority ends six-day shutdown
British racing will resume on Wednesday (February 13) after an outbreak of equine flu lead to a six-day shutdown, say the British Horseracing Authority (BHA).
Southwell Racecourse announced on their social media pages that their fixture tomorrow would go ahead.
The BHA suspended racing after three cases of the flu were found at stables in Cheshire.
Equine influenza produces symptoms similar to the human flu, including a cough and high temperature. This limits the physicality of racehorses.
The chief regulatory officer for BHA, Brant Dunshea said: "Our approach since hearing about the first positive results last Wednesday has been based on accumulating as much information as we could as quickly as possible so we could properly understand the risks of this virulent strain of flu spreading to more horses. That would be harmful to them and damaging to any trainers’ yards that became infected.
“It has also been our intention to ensure that we avoid an issue that could result in a long-term disruption to racing with the risk of many of our major events being unduly impacted.
“After analysis of thousands of samples, and no further positive tests on Monday, we still only have two confirmed sites of infection. We have put robust containment measures in place around both.
“From the testing and analysis conducted the disease appears to be contained at present. The BHA veterinary committee believe that the swift controls on movement that were put in place have clearly helped to restrict the spread of this virus.
“There have been significant logistical issues associated with testing and processing so many tests in such a short space of time.
"Fortunately, owing to the tireless efforts of the Animal Health Trust, trainers and their local vets, and BHA staff, the vast majority of yards which had been placed on hold will be in a position to resume racing.
“Clearly, there is some risk associated with returning to racing. This risk has been assessed and, based on the evidence - and ensuring biosecurity measures are in place – the level of risk is viewed as acceptable.”
The all weather fixtures at Southwell and Kempton will go ahead tomorrow, alongside the two scheduled jump fixtures at Musselbrugh and Plumpton.
