Stratford considers bringing races forward on Sunday to counter heatwave

British racecourses will take measures to combat the extreme heat during this weekend's amber weather warning and the Racing Post understands bringing races forward at Stratford on Sunday to avoid the highest temperatures is under consideration.

The Met Office has issued an extremely rare amber warning for Sunday and Monday with temperatures set to soar to heights of 36C in some parts of Britain. A level four emergency has been declared with the heatwave posing a “potential risk to life and property”.

A number of options have been considered, with Stratford the main source of concern due to forecast highs of 32C during its Sunday meeting, which is due to start at 1.57, with the last of seven races off at 5.23. Proposals such as moving the longer races are also on the table.

Other meetings such as Newton Abbot and Redcar were deemed to be less at risk as temperatures are not expected to reach above 26C.

All courses racing on Sunday and Monday are confident of proceeding safely despite the high temperatures. Measures are being put in place such as laying on extra staff and providing water, fans and cooling systems across the track to try to mitigate the effects of the extreme weather.

Other provisions include limiting time in the parade ring and altering routes back to the stables to minimise direct exposure to the sun. All courses have underlined that they will be liaising with the BHA and seeking veterinary guidance as to any alterations that may need to be made to continue racing safely.

At Stratford there will also be a heightened veterinary presence and clerk of the course Nessie Chanter said: “We feel confident we’ve done all we can do.”

Humidity levels rather than actual air temperature were expected to pose the greatest problem, she added.

Bath remains an outlier with its lack of irrigation. Meetings next Wednesday and July 29 have been transferred to Southwell and officials are hoping for rain to allow racing to return at Bath next month. The course's next fixture is on Saturday, August 13.

Trainee clerk of the course Ben Hicks said: “There’s not a lot we can do. With the temperatures so high in the 30s at the beginning of next week it left us having to look forward and make other plans.”

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