Equine influenza latest: Wolverhampton off Saturday


While the British Horseracing Authority will be making a decision this evening about whether racing will go ahead in the coming days, Wolverhampton have already called off their Saturday card.

The BHA expects to decide on Thursday evening whether racing can go ahead on Friday following the outbreak of equine influenza.

Thursday's meetings at Ffos Las, Doncaster, Huntingdon and Chelmsford were all called off after it emerged three horses from a racing yard had contracted the virus.

It was revealed that the same yard had runners at Monday's meetings at Ayr and Ludlow. The only trainer to be represented at both meetings was Donald McCain.

McCain had two runners at Wolverhampton's card on Monday.

Wolverhampton Racecourse tweeted: "Following today's announcement by the BHA Saturday's meeting is cancelled - we will be working with BHA and Animal Health Trust to make sure that our racecourses take every measure to maintain high levels of biosecurity."

Warwick are also due to race on Saturday, but they will wait for an official decision from the BHA.

The Midlands track tweeted: "The meeting is going ahead currently. However please note that the BHA is making a decision this evening about racing in the coming days, so once they have done so, we will immediately inform you."

Saturday's big meeting is the Betfair Hurdle card at Newbury and they are also awaiting further instruction from the BHA.

Newbury Racecourse tweeted: "With regards to racing going ahead on Sat 9 February, we are currently on standby and await further information from the BHA. We are ready to race and will continue preparations, but will update all our customers as soon as we possibly can. Horse welfare is the first priority."