Irish horse owners get equine flu instructions

IRISH racing authorities have tightened up measures to try to ensure racing continues during the equine flu outbreak in Britain, where three more racehorses tested positive yesterday. The British Racehorsing Authority are aiming to re-start meetings from Wednesday, but sources have told Sportsmail that a week on Monday is a more realistic date. The build-up to next month’s Cheltenham Festival could be severely affected, with the showpiece itself under threat at a cost of more than £200million to the industry. In Ireland, guidelines have been issued to tell trainers what they need to do to keep the show on the road. A statement from the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board yesterday evening read: ‘In order to be eligible to race, horses must have received a vaccine for equine influenza which contains Clade 1 virus within eight weeks of their race. ‘This mandatory vaccination requirement is to be implemented with effect from Monday, February 18. ‘It is advised that trainers and handlers take action as soon as possible to comply with this in order to be able to race six clear days after vaccination. ‘Runners from Britain will not be permitted to race in Ireland until further notice.’