BHA Restrictions Lifted on Quarantined Yard

Restrictions placed on Mel and Phil Rowley's training yard following the discovery of equine influenza in a vaccinated Thoroughbred at a nearby stable have been lifted. The British Horseracing Authority has enforced strict biosecurity measures across Britain because of the heightened prevalence of equine flu in mainly non-vaccinated non-Thoroughbreds this year, including canceling a fixture at Plumpton last month after the disease was confirmed at a livery yard adjacent to the track. The Rowleys, who train at Bridgnorth in Shropshire, were the first to have a licensed yard put under restrictions, but were praised by the BHA for their diligence in reporting signs of infection, which helped "avoid what could potentially have been a much bigger and less manageable outbreak." Following the report by the Rowleys, the BHA said it was able to trace other horses who had arrived in Britain from the same auction, the Goffs Arkle Sale, which had been held June 9-11 in County Kildare. The BHA said it was able to take "targeted action" against yards "at higher risk of exposure," which included "withdrawing a small number of intended runners and testing others to make sure they were free of the virus before traveling to the racecourse." While no additional Thoroughbreds in the racing industry had tested positive, the BHA said other Thoroughbreds had tested positive alongside extra cases linked to the Goffs Arkle Sale. However, the trace and testing systems had allowed the racing population to be protected.