Plumpton racecourse in Sussex, which was forced to cancel a scheduled race meeting due to an outbreak of highly contagious equine influenza, has been given the green light to resume racing. The popular jumps track had to abandon its May 10 fixture after a non-thoroughbred horse at a nearby livery yard tested positive for equine flu and EHV-4.
Outbreak Forces Cancellation
The seven-race card planned for May 10 was called off following confirmation of the infection in an unvaccinated horse housed at a yard adjacent to the racecourse. In consultation with the British Horseracing Authority (BHA), track officials made the difficult decision to abandon the meeting.
A statement from Plumpton at the time explained: "Throughout the process we have remained in regular communication with the yard concerned, our veterinary team, the British Horseracing Authority, and independent infectious disease experts to monitor the situation and assess level of risk."
The infected horse was isolated at the livery yard and continued to shed the virus. Given the close proximity to the racecourse, the BHA's independent veterinary group unanimously supported the cancellation. "The health and wellbeing of horses and participants remains our absolute priority," the statement added.
New Fixture Granted
Ticketholders received automatic refunds, and following discussions with the BHA, a new fixture was scheduled for Tuesday, May 26. The BHA confirmed that the infected horse had since returned a negative swab, with no further cases or clinical signs at the livery yard.
Sally Taylor, BHA Head of Equine Regulation, Safety and Welfare, said: "We are very grateful to the team at Plumpton for their understanding as we took the precautionary step earlier this month to reduce the risk of infection spreading more widely."
She added: "Having received confirmation of a negative swab and with no further clinical signs within the livery yard, this case no longer poses a greater risk than usual to the thoroughbred racing herd, and we are comfortable for racing to go ahead."
Biosecurity Vigilance Urged
With equine flu cases on the rise across the country, Taylor urged trainers and others to remain vigilant, applying strict biosecurity measures and monitoring horses daily for any signs of infection. Racing at Plumpton is now set to resume on May 26.
