Equine outbreak hits Woodbine
Opener still on track as COVID precautions help facility contain virus
Woodbine Racetrack is proceeding with plans for an early June opening to the thoroughbred season despite an outbreak of equine herpesvirus at the Rexdale facility.
According to the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario, 20 horses have tested positive for the virus — known as EHV-1 and unrelated to COVID-19 — which attacks the respiratory system in horses and can lead to nerve damage or neonatal death.
The outbreak occurred in Barn 12 at Woodbine, where all 59 horses were tested. Infected horses were either isolated or sent to the Ontario Veterinary College for treatment, the commission said. Those not infected will stay isolated in the barn unless they need emergency veterinary treatment.
Access to Barn 12 is limited to staff deemed essential, while all 1,400 horses stabled at Woodbine will have temperature checks twice daily. The virus can’t be transmitted to humans.
Woodbine Entertainment senior vice-president Jessica Buckley said the track “moved very quickly to contain the spread of the virus, and further testing continues.”
As a precaution, four barns were reported closed as a result of the positive tests. The commission said one horse was euthanized after a neurological disease was detected.
While the racing season at
Woodbine has yet to begin, the backstretch has remained open during the pandemic to allow for the care of horses, with strict protocols.
“Training is continuing with physical distancing and other safety protocols in place to minimize the risk of the virus spreading,” Buckley said. “Although unrelated to the coronavirus, many of the protocols we have already put in place to protect against COVID-19 are also helpful in preventing the spread of EHV-1.
“We do not anticipate that this will impact our plans to open the season on Saturday, June 6.”
Last week, Woodbine Entertainment CEO Jim Lawson targeted that date for the start of the thoroughbred season — originally scheduled for April 18 — with the standardbred campaign set to open June 5 at Woodbine Mohawk, both without spectators. The backup plan, he said, would be one week later for each opener.
On Monday, the Queen’s Plate was moved to Sept. 12.
“We are working closely with the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and AGCO veterinarians on addressing the presence of EHV-1 on our backstretch,” Buckley added. “While it’s an unfortunate situation, the horse racing industry is experienced in managing EHV-1 outbreaks. Woodbine successfully worked through (one) on our backstretch in 2013.”
In that case, five horses tested positive — one euthanized after signs of neurological disease — and restrictions were lifted two weeks after the final positive test.