Equine flu spreads across England as Ascot looms for Australian raiders

Cover image courtesy of Royal Ascot

England is currently in the midst of an Equine Influenza outbreak with the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) shutting down amateur events held on or near racecourses to help prevent the spread of the disease. All horses in the UK are vaccinated for Equine Influenza, a situation very different to Australia.

England last had an outbreak of Equine Influenza in 2019, however, broadcaster Nick Luck told TTR that this outbreak is already potentially worse than then. The 2019 shutdown was the largest in English racing since 2001, when the foot-and-mouth crisis caused the abandonment of the Cheltenham Festival.

“I spoke to the BHA’s veterinarian James Given today and he said that in 2019, there were cases of Equine Influenza reported across 17 counties, this time, it’s already up to 37 counties,” Luck said.

“Last time was enough to stop racing for six days and cost the industry an estimated £4 million (AU$7.5 million), so it behoves the regulator to make sure everyone is aware of their biosecurity responsibilities.”

Royal Ascot is not far away

With Joliestar (Zoustar) and Overpass (Vancouver) set to travel over for Ascot, and Champion European Sprinter Asfoora (Flying Artie) already in Newmarket, any potential disruptions to Royal Ascot weigh on every Australian racing fan’s mind.

Royal Ascot and the traditional horse-drawn royal procession that precedes racing is due to get under way on June 16. The BHA told TDN it is working with Ascot to replicate the biosecurity measures of a licensed premises to enable the royal procession to go ahead without any increased risk. Several amateur events on or near Thoroughbred courses have been cancelled by the BHA to assist with biosecurity.

“Levels of equine flu are higher than at any time in recent history and it's essential that we take all necessary steps to protect the thoroughbred herd,” James Given, BHA Director of Equine Regulation, Safety and Welfare, told TDN.

“These measures follow extensive engagement with independent infectious disease experts about how we further reduce the risk of exposure and ensure the continuity of racing.”

It’s not just about the Thoroughbreds when it comes to Royal Ascot.

“The BHA are taking steps to ensure the safety of the police horses who will work at Ascot, and the royal carriage horses too,” said Luck.

Stratford's popular hunter chase meeting scheduled for Friday, May 29 has been abandoned as the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) implements further precautionary measures following a continued rise in reported equine influenza cases in the non-thoroughbred population.

The BHA announced on Monday that, from Wednesday this week, only horses from licensed training yards will be permitted to enter racecourse property on a raceday, with all hunter chase races abandoned and other equine activities – including ex-racehorse parades, petting farms and pony rides as part of family fun day entertainment – cancelled.

Racing at Plumpton on May 10 was abandoned following a reported equine flu case in an unvaccinated non-thoroughbred at a livery yard adjacent to the East Sussex course. The latest measures aim to prevent any mixing between the thoroughbred racing herd and horses and ponies from yards that are not licensed.

Australia watches shuttle risk

With shuttle stallions due to arrive in Australia in August, the outbreak is being watched closely by the local breeding industry. But John Messara, who helped steer the industry through Australia’s 2007 equine influenza outbreak, says the UK situation is quite different to Australia.

“In relation to Equine Influenza, the most significant thing in our case was that we had a naive population. And so it went through like wildfire and was difficult to control,” said Messara.

John Messara recalls how a supportive government at the time was key to ensuring the breeding season wasn’t too badly affected. The outbreak came via an infected shuttle stallion who left quarantine with the virus. At the peak of the outbreak, 47,000 horses were affected, and it took until July 2008 to eradicate the disease from Australia.

“The industry were closely aligned with the New South Wales government at the time and formed a working party. The government biosecurity vet was there, the Racing Minister would attend. Myself and Trevor Lobb represented the breeding industry, someone from Racing NSW came along. We kicked around ideas, and developed this concept of a zonal structure.”

Horses were able to move freely within a zone, but they couldn’t leave it. This applied to all horses in NSW, recreational and Thoroughbreds.

“We were able to get movement within the zone, and therefore breeding activities and other movements were continued within that zone, but you couldn’t move in or out of the zone. It was a collaborative effort with the government. They were very helpful and understood the significance of it. Together we got through it without missing a foal crop.”

Born in 2008 from 2007 coverings, the Australian Champion 2-Year-Old of 2010/11 was Sepoy, who won the G1 Blue Diamond Stakes and G1 Golden Slipper, then returned at three to win the G1 Coolmore Stud Stakes and G1 Manikato Stakes, which earned him the Champion 3-Year-Old Colt or Gelding for 2011/12. The Champion 3-Year-Old Filly for that season was 2008-born Atlantic Jewel (Fastnet Rock).

It’s hard to imagine a world without these two racehorses, let alone how businesses could survive without a 2008 NSW born crop.

Messara was quick to point out that the situation is very different in the UK, where the disease lives permanently.

“They’re all vaccinated against it and they've got ways of managing it. EI doesn't have the ramifications or impacts that we had in 2007. So the two situations are not comparable. Hopefully they can bring it under control there with the restrictions of horse movements and other methods they constantly undertake over there.”

As far as the shuttle stallions, Messara was happy to trust the BHA’s processes. His Arrowfield Stud has two stallions due to arrive in August being Vandeek (GB) and Lead Artist (GB).

“It’s still several months away from them travelling and a lot of things can happen in that time. No doubt our quarantine have learned lessons (from last time), so we’ll just have to wait and see how they bring it under control over there.”

Vaccination is key to preventing the spread

In the UK, horses are regularly vaccinated for Equine Influenza, unlike in Australia where we have had only one outbreak in 2007. In Australia, our horses are only vaccinated for Equine Influenza if they are due to be exported to a country that has the disease among the population.

“Basically the BHA are asking everyone to be more vigilant and tighten up their own measures at home,” Luck said.

“They’ve cancelled amateur races for now, because horses involved in those types of events are more likely to come into contact with horses from livery yards, etc, who are more susceptible to EI as they may not have the same biosecurity measures and vaccination levels of racehorses.

“The BHA is saying, make sure all your vaccinations are up to date, make sure any horse coming onto your licenced premises are isolated, and you know where they’ve come from, be it agistment or a sale. Make sure your horses are protected.

“It doesn’t completely prevent any spread, but a case at a major training yard or in a major centre could shut down racing. As far as I know the spread radius is about four miles.”

It is not an insignificant distance when there are 3000 horses in training at Newmarket, and the Jockey Club website says they have 2500 acres of ground available. According to Google Maps, the Newmarket training grounds stretching either side of the town cover around 20 miles as the crow flies.

“In addition to vaccination, this can be best achieved by preventing the mixing of racehorses with horses and ponies from premises that are not licensed by the BHA, where we have more limited information about their health and vaccination status,” Given told TDN.

“I'm encouraged by the response we have already seen from the racing community about the vital importance of maintaining the biosecurity of the thoroughbred racing herd. We continue to urge constant vigilance, especially around the movement and mixing of horses.

“Information about vaccination, infection control measures and spotting the signs of flu are available on the BHA website.”