Still some risk but United Kingdom racing is back on
CHANGES: JUMP MEETINGS START TODAY WITH FLAT RACING TOMORROW
Crisford will have to exercise his horses in isolation.
Racing woke up to good news yesterday after an unsettling week and nervy Monday night while the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) wrestled with letting racing resume after the equine flu outbreak.
Last Thursday morning many awoke to find racing had been cancelled due to the flu alert and the following Monday was quickly identified by the BHA as D-Day for a decision on whether six days would be a sufficient shutdown period.
An industry veterinary committee was key to the cessation of racing, and the same committee gave the BHA confidence to lift the ban late on Monday night.
BHA’s statement read: "This decision to return racing in a controlled, risk-managed manner was unanimously supported by the industry veterinary committee."
Brant Dunshea, BHA's chief regulatory officer, said: "After analysis of thousands of samples, and no further positive tests on Monday, we still only have two confirmed sites of infection. We have put robust containment measures in place around both.
“From the testing and analysis conducted the disease appears to be contained at present.
"Clearly, there is some risk associated with returning to racing. This risk has been assessed and, based on the evidence - and ensuring biosecurity measures are in place – the level of risk is viewed as acceptable."
The Animal Health Trust has been in the midst of analysing thousands of equine nasal swabs from racehorses in Britain, and optimism had been raised of racing returning following two batches of swabs, numbering well over 1,000, coming back negative through the weekend.
Late on Sunday night hopes looked to have been dealt a blow when it was revealed four positive tests for the virus from Simon Crisford's Newmarket yard. That took the total number of known cases in racing yards to 10, following six positives from Donald McCain's Cheshire base.
Crisford's stable was one of 174 to be placed in lockdown, in his case because he had a runner at Newcastle last Tuesday, after which Sedgefield trainer Rebecca Menzies, who had also had runners at the meeting, reported a 'suspicious' case.
However, all the horses at Menzies' yard tested negative for equine flu and Crisford revealed the test on his runner at Newcastle has returned negative as well.
Crisford will be temporarily exercising his string on the Heath in isolation as Jockey Club Estates attempts to ensure the chances of the disease spreading are kept to a minimum.
Newmarket is the largest training centre in Britain with around 80 trainers overseeing in the region of 3,000 horses.
It is also home to two racecourses, the Rowley Mile and the July Course, and acts as a huge breeding centre.
Plumpton and Musselburgh are the two tracks who had prepared for the BHA affirmative with preparations in place.
Plumpton clerk of the course and head groundsman Mark Cornford said: "We've set the track up ready and I've got my fingers crossed.
"It's heavy ground but things are improving. It was dry most of yesterday during daylight hours and has been dry today."
The declarations stage for today's four meetings were done at 10am yesterday.
Declarations for tomorrow’s Flat all-weather meetings will now be at the 24-hour stage.– Racingpost.com To take a bet Go to or