British trainers urged to maintain vigilance as equine flu cases surge

The British Horseracing Authority has emailed all licensed trainers to emphasize the need for heightened vigilance amid a surge in equine influenza cases in the general horse population, aiming to prevent any potential shutdown of racing.

An outbreak of equine flu in February 2019 led to a six-day suspension of racing, resulting in the cancellation of 23 meetings, marking the most significant disruption since the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak in 2001, which forced the abandonment of more than 100 meetings, including the Cheltenham Festival.

More counties have reported cases during the current surge than in 2019, though no infections have been detected in racing yards, unlike the previous outbreak.

The BHA’s email stressed that “the greatest threat to thoroughbreds in training is exposure to sick horses or those that are shedding flu virus,” and noted that “this is most likely to occur when horses of unknown disease or vaccination status are in close proximity, such as when a horse enters a yard or there is mixing outside of the racing environment at shows or other equine events.”

As a result, the authority stated that “it is essential that horses that are being brought into licensed yards are vaccinated and properly isolated for a 14-day period” and “monitored daily for signs of infection.”

Vaccination against equine flu is mandatory for all thoroughbreds in licensed yards, with boosters required every six months.

The BHA has already canceled the remainder of the hunter-chase season, including the popular card scheduled for Stratford next Friday that marks the end of the point-to-point season, following a decision to restrict racecourse access for horses from non-licensed yards where vaccination is not mandatory.

The authority also said it is exploring ways to ensure the ban does not impact the traditional Royal procession before racing at Royal Ascot in June.

The email conceded that “for some, these actions have been disappointing,” while also stating that all decisions “have been informed by science and made following extensive consultation with independent and world-renowned experts on the management and control of infectious diseases.”

Meanwhile, the Group Two Temple Stakes at Haydock on Saturday is priced like a tight sprint handicap, with nine of the 13 runners offered at between 5-1 and 12-1, and the fast-improving Jakajaro (3.30), a handicap winner at York earlier this month, has an excellent each-way chance at around 9-1.

Robert Cowell, Jakajaro’s trainer, has few peers when it comes to moving sprinters through the ranks, and the five-year-old made short work of a big field on the Knavesmire off a mark of 100, despite racing from a high draw and giving weight to all but one of his rivals.

The performance was backed up by a strong time, and while the quick turnaround is a slight concern, Cowell must feel that his gelding has returned from York in good order, and a repeat of that form could well be enough.

At Goodwood 1.25: After four wins from six on the all-weather in the early months of the year, Cool Molly ran a fine race on her belated turf debut at Chester earlier this month, and she has the right draw and running style for this track and trip.

At Haydock 1.45: The two runners with proven Group One quality both have some questions to answer, and the progressive Dreamasar is an interesting each-way alternative at around 16-1.

Goodwood: 1.25 Cool Molly, 2.00 Golden Story, 2.35 Wondervision, 3.10 Earth Shot, 3.45 Evening Fades, 4.20 Finalise, 4.55 One And Gone.

York: 1.30 Kats Bob, 2.05 Cuban Heels, 2.40 King Of Light, 3.15 Danielle, 3.50 Moscow Power, 4.25 Bridge Of Eagles, 5.00 Signcastle City.

Cartmel: 1.35 Getaway Vic, 2.10 Belle Le Grand, 2.43 Starlyte, 3.20 Half A Chance, 3.55 Loup De Maulde, 4.30 Halfway House Lad, 5.05 Zumbi.

Haydock: 1.45 Dreamasar, 2.20 Blue Courvoisier (nb), 2.58 Division, 3.30 Jakajaro (nap), 4.05 Hermetic, 4.40 Noble Vow, 5.15 Miami Matrix.

Bangor-on-Dee: 1.50 Ladies Day, 2.25 Bobbarelli, 3.00 Copper Beach, 3.32 Supreme George, 4.10 Mars Harper, 4.45 Camshaft, 5.20 Magnifix Du Moulin.

Windsor: 4.57 Moonhall Lass, 5.30 Greek Street, 6.00 Perigord Noir, 6.30 Legacy Rock, 7.00 Marengo Storm, 7.30 Naughty Niall, 8.00 Proposal, 8.30 Von Dutch.

Salisbury: 5.45 My Maria, 6.15 Great Dream, 6.45 Golden Brown, 7.15 Cinque Verde, 7.45 Mojito, 8.15 Mayaada, 8.45 Shayhana.

At Goodwood 2.00: Golden Story was no match for Constitution River in the Dee Stakes but still ran a race full of promise and is a big price at around 7-2 to see off John Gosden’s unbeaten Derby entry, Saxon Street.

At Haydock 2.20: Clive Cox is going for a third win in eight runnings of what is generally one of the strongest three-year-old handicaps this side of Royal Ascot, and Blue Courvoisier, from a low draw and with Lauren Young taking off 5lb, could be the pick of his two runners this year.

At York 2.40: A single-figure draw may just tip the scales in favor of King Of Light in an exceptionally tight sprint handicap.

At Haydock 2.58: Division was just half a length behind Coppull at Ascot last time despite a slow start and is a fair price at around 11-4 to reverse the form.

At York 3.15: This should be a straightforward return to action for Danielle, who ran well in better company several times last season.

At Curragh 3.40: Gstaad was eight lengths clear of Distant Storm when the pair were second and third behind the impressive Bow Echo in the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket, and has nothing of the caliber of George Boughey’s colt in opposition in the Irish equivalent.

At Haydock 4.05: The unexposed Hermetic could prove to be another shrewd purchase for the Ian Williams stable and looks sure to build on his debut for the yard at York earlier this month now that he steps back up to two miles.