Coronavirus evokes memories of foot and mouth crisis for point community

Memories of the 2001 foot and mouth shutdown hover like a spectre over racing and point-to-pointing as the coronavirus effect widens.

Nineteen years ago the closure of the sport after the second week of February – out of sympathy for farmers and in a bid to avoid spreading the disease – was to have a significant long-term impact. Once it became clear the season would not be restarted a number of pointers joined licensed yards, which also focused the minds of point-to-point trainers who applied for licences.

Foot and mouth became a lesson in survival for the fittest, most determined and profitable rural businesses. The ‘way of life’ doctrine became harder to justify.