There are fears the disease could affect Cheltenham Festival due to take place in a month.
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Five horse racing fixtures have been cancelled, after an outbreak of equine flu.
Three vaccinated horses tested positive for the disease that can take months to recover from.
Infected horses raced on Wednesday potentially exposing many others to contracting the flu.
Thursday’s cancelled races:
Huntingdon
Doncaster
Chelmsford
Ffos Las
Wolverhampton Racecourse has cancelled its Saturday meeting after a horse from the infected yard ran their this week. A “deep clean” has been ordered.
Decision’s on whether Friday’s fixtures at Newcastle and Southwell are expected this evening.
Three infected horses are reportedly from the Cheshire stables of Donald McCain, son of late Ginger McCain – trainer of the legendary Red Rum that won the Grand National three times.
Symptoms of the equine flu
high fever
coughing
nasal discharge
swelling of lymph nodes
Equine influenza is an extremely infectious disease that affects horses, donkeys and mules.
The flu can be transmitted by air or contracted indirectly, including via people.
Cheltenham Festival, jump racing’s four-day headline event, is due to take place in a month.
The popular event attracts over 65,000 people over the four day period and brings in about £100,000,000 for Gloustershire every year.
Deja Vu?
Almost 18 years ago to the day, news of the outbreak of the infamous foot and mouth disease hit the headlines in 2001.
Horse racing was halted for a while and the Cheltenham Festival was cancelled.
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HeadlineHorse racing fixtures called off after outbreak of equine flu
Short HeadlineHorse racing hit by equine flu
StandfirstAhead of next month's Cheltenham Festival, the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has cancelled all four fixtures on Thursday.
Five horse racing fixtures have been cancelled, after an outbreak of equine flu.
Three vaccinated horses tested positive for the disease that can take months to recover from.
Infected horses raced on Wednesday potentially exposing many others to contracting the flu.
Thursday’s cancelled races:
Huntingdon
Doncaster
Chelmsford
Ffos Las
Wolverhampton Racecourse has cancelled its Saturday meeting after a horse from the infected yard ran their this week. A “deep clean” has been ordered.
Decision’s on whether Friday’s fixtures at Newcastle and Southwell are expected this evening.
Three infected horses are reportedly from the Cheshire stables of Donald McCain, son of late Ginger McCain – trainer of the legendary Red Rum that won the Grand National three times.
Symptoms of the equine flu
high fever
coughing
nasal discharge
swelling of lymph nodes
Equine influenza is an extremely infectious disease that affects horses, donkeys and mules.
The flu can be transmitted by air or contracted indirectly, including via people.
Cheltenham Festival, jump racing’s four-day headline event, is due to take place in a month.
The popular event attracts over 65,000 people over the four day period and brings in about £100,000,000 for Gloustershire every year.
Deja Vu?
Almost 18 years ago to the day, news of the outbreak of the infamous foot and mouth disease hit the headlines in 2001.
Horse racing was halted for a while and the Cheltenham Festival was cancelled.
