Ryan free to have runners again after equine herpes outbreak

Kevin Ryan has been cleared by the BHA to send out runners again after a partial lifting of the quarantine order placed on his yard three weeks ago following detected cases of equine herpes.

In a statement on Thursday, the BHA's director of equine health and welfare David Sykes said: "Kevin Ryan's yard consists of six distinct barns in which horses are housed. The BHA is satisfied that four of the six barns are showing no signs of the virus – all horses in those barns have tested negative and the horses do not pose a risk of infection.

"Therefore the quarantine on those horses has been lifted and they are now free to declare and race."

He added: "No further cases of the neurological form of the virus have been identified in the remaining two barns. However, it is the view of the BHA that further assessment and monitoring is required, purely as a precaution, before horses from these barns can be cleared to race.

"We are grateful to Mr Ryan for his continued patience and understanding as we take all reasonable measures to control this infection."

Ryan has not had a runner since May 30, two days before the announcement of quarantine was made. He reported the incident to the BHA himself in the first instance.

The trainer's neighbours Bryan Smart and Michael Herrington had also been initially placed under quarantine, reportedly due to shared transport arrangements. However, both have been free to resume normal activities since June 9.