Second yard in Lamorlaye under lockdown after new equine flu positive

A second stable in Lamorlaye, a satellite of France's main Chantilly training centre, has been identified as hosting the equine flu virus which brought British racing to a standstill earlier this month.

France Galop confirmed the second positive late Tuesday afternoon, less than 24 hours after the first alert, with the total number of horses presenting symptoms now standing at five.

"We have a second centre of infection in Lamorlaye and the two establishments are not near neighbours, they are several hundred metres apart as the crow flies, while the trainers have said that their strings have not been in proximity during work," said France Galop's chief veterinary officer, Dr Paul-Marie Gadot. "In both cases the trainers reported horses that were coughing, had runny noses and in one instance a temperature.

"They were tested, they came back positive and the horses were isolated and neither trainer can send out any runners.

Dr Paul-Marie Gadot, France Galop's chief veterinary officerCredit: Racing Post / Scott Burton

"Ten of the 12 horses stabled in the first yard have tested positive but only two are sick, while the other eight are carriers. In the second yard there are three horses with symptoms which are not too serious."

Racing returned to Paris for the first time after the winter break with the meeting at Auteuil on Tuesday and France Galop has not taken the decision to alter or disrupt the race programme for the time being.

"We will follow the situation closely, and adapt if necessary the biosecurity measures already in place should the outbreak become more widespread," said Gadot. "The trainers have been very vigilant since we first communicated with them on the subject of equine flu in mid-December.

"When you consider the number of horses trained in and around Chantilly [more than 2,000], if the disease remains confined to a few establishments, then it will be manageable."

Irish flu measures stay in place

The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board's current flu vaccination requirements for horses will remain in place until March 15.

The Irish Equine Centre has advised the IHRB that the enhanced vaccination approach remains appropriate in the face of the outbreak

Horses who are due to run on the racecourse or in point-to-points must have received a Clade 1 vaccination within eight weeks of their race.

From March 16 the existing requirement will change slightly with horses needing to have been vaccinated on or after January 18 with a Clade 1 vaccine.

Horses vaccinated with the appropriate vaccination on or after January 18 will not be required to receive a further emergency booster vaccination.

Trainers are strongly advised to vaccinate all horses including non-racehorses under their care immediately if they have not already done so.

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