The May 10 fixture at Plumpton in Sussex was abandoned after a non-thoroughbred horse at a nearby livery yard was confirmed to have contracted equine flu and EHV-4
Plumpton granted new race fixture on May 26(Image: PA)
A jumps track which had to call off a Sunday race meeting due to an outbreak of highly contagious equine flu has been cleared to resume racing.
Popular Plumpton racecourse in Sussex was due to host a seven-race card on May 10 when it was notified of a confirmed case of equine influenza and EHV-4 in an unvaccinated non-thoroughbred horse based on a livery yard immediately adjacent to the racecourse. After consultation with the BHA, the track announced “the unfortunate decision has been made to abandon Sunday’s raceday”.
“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,” a statement said at the time.
READ MORE: The £500m jockey brothers face illegal cockfighting allegations on eve of Preakness StakesREAD MORE: Derby favourite’s owner moves Breeders Cup winner in split with champion trainer
“The infected horse, which remains isolated at the livery yard, has undergone further testing and is still actively shedding the virus. Given the very close proximity of the livery yard to the racecourse, the decision has been taken with the unanimous support of the BHA’s independent veterinary group.
“The health and wellbeing of horses and participants remains our absolute priority and it is believed this is the most responsible course of action at this time in order to minimise any risk to the wider thoroughbred racing population.”
Ticketholders received an automatic refund and after discussions with the BHA, a new fixture was granted to the track on Tuesday 26 May.
Racing cleared to resume at Plumpton(Image: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
A BHA statement said: “The horse in question has been tested again this week and has returned a negative swab. There have been no further cases or clinical signs of infection at the livery yard.”
BHA Head of Equine Regulation, Safety and Welfare, Sally Taylor, 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.
“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.
“With the rise in equine flu cases across the country, we continue to urge trainers and others to be particularly vigilant in applying strict biosecurity measures and monitoring horses daily for any signs of infection.”