- Protocols in place for both Cheltenham and Aintree
- New vaccination rules attract criticism from trainers
The major jumps festivals at Cheltenham in March and Aintree the following month are both likely to be staged with strict “risk-management” protocols still in place to prevent the spread of equine flu, the British Horseracing Authority said on Tuesday. However, the new rules, which will be in place when racing resumes on Wednesday after a six-day suspension, are already attracting criticism, with an unknown number of National Hunt horses due to be barred from racing unless they have received a “booster” vaccination in the last six months.
From Tuesday, declarations to race will be accepted only from stables where the BHA believes the risk of infection or spread of equine flu is extremely low, and runners will not be allowed access to a racecourse unless they have been vaccinated for equine flu within the last six months. Their trainers will also be required to submit a declaration that the horse has been free of flu-like symptoms for the previous 14 days.
Written by Greg Wood
This news first appeared on https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2019/feb/12/equine-flu-outbreak-racing-festivals-to-face-strict-risk-management under the title “
“. Bolchha Nepal is not responsible or affiliated towards the opinion expressed in this news article.
