Wednesday's jumps meeting at Worcester has been rescheduled to start at 10:30am due to an extreme heat warning, with temperatures expected to reach 38°C. The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) approved the time change from the original 2:39pm start to protect horse and human welfare.
Amber Heat Warning Prompts Early Start
The Met Office has issued two amber warnings this week: one for Monday and Tuesday, and another for Wednesday and Thursday. The second warning, covering central and southern England and Wales, forecasts temperatures up to 38°C, which would break the record for the hottest June temperature in Britain.
Under BHA hot weather policy, a range of welfare measures can be implemented to reduce the risk of heat stress in horses. The regulator approved the start time change as a result of the latest amber warning.
Revised Schedule and Race Arrangements
The meeting will now begin at 10:30am instead of 2:39pm, with races staged at 30-minute intervals. The final race is scheduled for 1pm, rather than the original 5:17pm. Only one race at the fixture will be allowed to divide if oversubscribed, in which case the extra race will take place at 10am. Longer distance races have been moved to the front of the card after consultation with the track to protect the welfare of all equine and human participants.
BHA Statement on Ongoing Monitoring
A BHA statement said: “The BHA will continue to liaise with racecourses hosting fixtures in the coming days to consider any mitigations that may be necessary to reduce the risk of heat stress to horses and humans servicing the fixture in accordance with the BHA Hot Weather Policy. Each fixture will be managed on a case-by-case basis, considering several factors including the local weather forecast. Further updates to fixtures taking place this week will be issued as necessary in due course.”
Under BHA hot weather policy, racing is abandoned at any track located in an area affected by a Red heat warning, and trainers are expected not to travel horses.
