Beating the heat: tracks to lay on ice, fans and cold water for weekend cards

Temperatures are set to edge past 30C during racing at Ascot and Newmarket on Saturday, with extra measures set to be in place to look after participants in heatwave conditions.

There is no Shergar Cup this year but racing begins at Ascot at 12.40, with the Met Office forecasting temperatures of 29-32C during the card at the Berkshire course, while racing is expected to take place in 29C heat on Newmarket's July course.

Scorching temperatures also prompted extra precautions at racecourses on Friday, with stewards at Sandown giving permission for all runners to be dismounted and unsaddled in the saddling enclosure and not return to the winner's enclosure.

The BHA confirmed extra welfare measures would be in place for participants when temperatures approached 30 degrees.

A BHA spokesperson said: "Horses are adapted to running in the heat, and racing takes place in Australia, Dubai and the USA – and other racing nations – in far more extreme heat than is experienced in Great Britain.

"However, we always put the welfare of our participants first and – as a precaution – take proactive measures when the temperatures rise.

“As an industry we have experience dealing with these conditions and there are a number of measures that racecourses put in place to deal with periods of hot weather, for both human and equine participants.

Perotto is unsaddled and dismounted in a shady area at Sandown due to the heatCredit: Matt Butler

"Racecourses are instructed that these should be put in place when temperatures are approaching 30C, and include the increased provision of cool water, areas of shade and earlier access to stables.

"Veterinary teams and racecourse staff are all on hand to provide care for horses after they have competed, and they are constantly keeping an eye out for any horses who show any signs of not coping with the heat before or after they race.

“Should there be any concern regarding the effect of the weather on the horses, the BHA – as the sport’s independent regulator – has the ability to take action to ensure their welfare is protected, as they have done on a number of occasions in recent years. At present there is no evidence of any raised welfare risk associated with racing in the hot temperatures.

"If increased temperatures are over a sustained period, as opposed to sudden spikes, horses can acclimatise and therefore the level of risk is not dramatically increased, especially when combined with the significant steps being taken across all racecourses to manage the conditions.”

Tracks preparing to beat the heat

Courses in Britain are well prepared to deal with the forecast hot weather with plenty of water and cooling being made available for runners.

Ascot is forecast to face the highest of the temperatures but course officials have plenty of experience in operating through the heat.

Chris Stickels, clerk of the course at Ascot, said: "We're forecast about 30C on Saturday but we've had Royal Ascot and King Georges in those sort of temperatures, so it's not something which is new to us. It is the hottest it'll have been this year, however.

"We've got misting cooling fans here and plenty of cold water based around the track. There are winning-line pull-up areas and bowsers to help with the cooling requirements. We'll have plenty of water available for racing staff too.

"We know it's going to be very hot and we're expecting good to firm ground, and with an aim to produce it too."

Conditions are a bit cooler for the July Course, ahead of an eight-race card at Newmarket featuring the Group 3 Betway Sweet Solera Stakes (3.20).

Michael Prosser, clerk of the course at Newmarket, said: "It'll go up to 29C, slightly cooler than Friday. We've had our usual preparation as we've been in this position before and raced in similar temperatures. We take equine and human welfare as a matter of extreme importance.

"We'll have lots of water tubs, and ice within them at the beginning of the raceday and will continue to top it up. We've got cooling fans for when the horses come off the course.

"We're lucky to have a pre-parade ring with lots of trees, which is helpful. We'll take all the necessary precautions and keeping the horses there for as long as possible.

"We're watering all the 1m6f and started early on Friday morning; it's good to firm."

Conditions at Haydock are a bit cooler, with highs of 24C ahead of racing, which begins at 12.30.

Kirkland Tellwright, clerk of the course at Haydock, said: "It was pretty warm on Friday, and humid with it, but it should be a bit fresh on Saturday. It should be lovely.

"I think we'll be mostly good to firm, possibly with a touch of good in places. Everything has been racing for a while in warm weather but we're ready for any extra measures if it gets hotter; but I'm hopeful we won't have a great need for it."

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