The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has issued fresh advice to trainers after a new case of equine flu was confirmed in Shropshire. A vaccinated thoroughbred that arrived from an auction in Ireland is now in isolation at a yard adjacent to the base of trainer Mel Rowley near Bridgnorth.
Details of the Case
The horse arrived at the yard on 12 June from the Goffs Arkle Sale in Kildare Paddocks, which took place between 9 and 11 June. It was transported to Britain on the same lorry as eight other thoroughbreds purchased at the sales, which have been taken to a mix of licensed yards, pre-training yards, and other premises.
The infected horse did not show any clinical signs of the virus upon arrival. Symptoms developed late Saturday evening, and subsequent testing confirmed the infection. The horse remains in isolation, following recommended infection control measures for any new horse entering licensed premises.
BHA Statement and Actions
The BHA stated: "No horses will be permitted to move to or from the yard or the licensed premises until we are confident that there is no wider risk to the industry." The yard had a runner at Uttoxeter on Saturday 13 June, but due to biosecurity measures, the risk of onward contamination is considered very low.
The BHA has asked trainers who had runners at Uttoxeter on Saturday to be particularly alert to signs of flu in their horses. Owners and those involved with the other horses that travelled from Ireland have been contacted and advised on the best course of action. Those who bought horses at the Arkle Sale are advised to vaccinate and isolate any new horse for at least 14 days.
Previous Measures
In May, a race meeting at Plumpton was abandoned due to a case of equine influenza and EHV-4 in a non-thoroughbred horse at a livery yard adjacent to the track. The BHA subsequently halted all hunter chase races and restricted access to tracks on raceday only to horses from licensed training yards. Horses involved in the royal procession during Royal Ascot also had to meet the same biosecurity measures.
Epsom carried out a mass evacuation of non-thoroughbreds stabled near the racecourse to ensure no threat to the Derby. The BHA continues to monitor the situation closely.
