Goffs criticises 'irresponsible' comments from BHA welfare chief over potential for sales to be a super-spreader event for equine flu

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The chief executive of leading sales house Goffs on Thursday branded the BHA "irresponsible" as tensions mounted over the spread of equine flu. 

The outbreak, which has seen more than 60 laboratory-confirmed cases across 37 British counties, caused the BHA this week to cancel all remaining hunter chases for the season, alongside pony racing and other racecourse equine activities, as part of enhanced biosecurity measures designed to protect horses in licensed racing yards from the current spike in flu cases.

Speaking on the BHA's podcast on Wednesday, director of equine regulation James Given classed a bloodstock sale as a potential "super-spreading event" for equine flu.

He said: "The Doncaster sales are on this week and horses will be being bought and taken to a trainer's yard from an environment which is potentially a super-spreading event. You’ve got horses from all over coming together and mixing in close proximity and then going back to different locations."

However, Henry Beeby, group chief executive at Goffs, which is hosting the two-day Spring HIT/PTP sale in Doncaster which started on Wednesday, said the comments were misguided and showed a "surprising lack of understanding" about the biosecurity protocols in place at sales grounds.

He said: “We were very surprised to read the comments of the BHA, which I think border on irresponsible and demonstrate a surprising lack of understanding about the requirements at all of our sales.

“That is: every horse who comes on to our grounds has to be vaccinated in accordance with BHA rules, and that includes the many, many point-to-pointers we’ve had here this week. We’re working to as high, if not higher, standards than any racecourse or any racing yard in the country.”

Given defended the regulator’s conservative approach and stressed the risk to racing came from outside the licensed population, rather than from horses already in training yards.

Asked whether racing should consider another temporary shutdown similar to the six-day suspension in 2019, Given said: “No, I don’t think that’s necessary, because the danger isn’t from horses within the licensed herd.

“If we stop that bubble [thoroughbred horses in training yards] from mixing, we’re not gaining anything because there's no risk of them spreading it at the moment.

“It’s the horses from outside that bubble – the horses who go to the local show for dressage or showjumping are the risk to the racing bubble.”

James Given: BHA director of equine regulationCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

Given referenced lessons learned during the Covid pandemic, and said the BHA was attempting to create a “bubble” around horses in licensed premises by limiting contact with horses from unlicensed yards.

He said: “Covid taught us about bubbles, about isolation and about quarantining. What we’re trying to do is not have horses from unlicensed premises coming into close contact with horses from licensed premises who then return to their trainer’s yard and have a risk of transmission that way.”

The BHA has confirmed there have been no positive cases reported in licensed training yards, pre-training yards or rehabilitation yards during the current outbreak, although 68 positive tests have been reported in Britain since April 1 across 37 counties.

Given also believes the current biosecurity measures are important in maintaining confidence among international participants before major meetings, including Royal Ascot next month.

He said: “When we have horses coming from the USA, Japan and Australia, connections want to be sure they’re not going to be exposing their horses. Where they stay has got to be secured to our standards so they can be confident there isn’t any risk.

“It’s about managing risk and keeping that risk as low as we can, and that means taking some actions that are disappointing for some.

"But it’s for the greater good, because if we reduce the risk we hopefully won’t get into a situation where it impacts the racing herd.”

The IHRB issued a statement on equine flu yesterday as a host of British horses were set to travel across the Irish Sea to the Curragh this weekend. 

It read: "Our team works closely with the Irish Equine Centre and veterinary practitioners to monitor the incidence of equine infectious diseases, including equine influenza. Herd immunity is key and there are no diagnosed cases in the Irish thoroughbred population. Under the rules of racing all racehorses are required to be vaccinated against equine flu every six months, which is supported by a robust programme of regulatory oversight.

"The strains currently circulating are covered by existing vaccines and, as a result, any potential disease challenge is expected to have minimal impact. 

"The IHRB code of practice for infectious disease in thoroughbred racehorses in training assists in providing information about the control of equine influenza. Trainers are encouraged to remain vigilant to the clinical signs of equine influenza and consult with their vet immediately should any concerns arise." 

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