BHB & Jockey Club Guidelines to Racing With Support of Maff Officials

Published: 2 March 2001

The BHB and the Jockey Club today (2nd March 2001) issued Instructions and Guidelines to racecourses, trainers, owners, jockeys and the racegoing public, for use when racing resumes on Wednesday 7th March. The purpose of the Instructions and Guidelines is to prevent any possible spread of Foot and Mouth Disease by any person, horse or vehicle entering or leaving a racecourse at a race meeting or in the days leading up to racing.

The document has been compiled in conjunction with, and supported by, MAFF officials, and after consultation with other horseracing and veterinary organisations. The Instructions and Guidelines themselves have been authorised and published by the Jockey Club as an Instruction, and any non-compliance with the Instruction may constitute a breach of the Rules, and consequently result in disciplinary action.

Baroness Hayman, Minister of State (Lords) at the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, has already applauded the responsible attitude being taken by the racing authorities.

Paul Greeves, Racing Director of the BHB said today “The BHB and Jockey Club are very keen to ensure that everyone involved in racing can be confident that their actions will not spread this terrible disease. These Instructions and Guidelines have been drawn up in close consultation with MAFF officials, and will be strictly enforced.

“As was the case prior to the temporary suspension of racing, fixtures due to take place at racecourses which find themselves within an Infected Area will be cancelled. However other than this, it is possible to stage race meetings which present a negligible risk of spreading the disease. Government officials are comfortable that we should continue racing, particularly with these additional Instructions and Guidelines in place.

“However, we do recognise the emotional and physical links those within the sport have with the farming industry and will understand if trainers and / or owners are unwilling, despite the thorough precautions that will be in force at all racecourses, to send their horses racing”.

The racing industry is fully supported by all other recognised equine governing bodies and veterinary organisations, who themselves today issued a detailed protocol for the equestrian community.

James Wood, Head of Epidemiology at the Animal Health Trust, said “We fully endorse the guidelines issued by racing today, which will enable those both within and outside the industry to have confidence that a resumption of racing will present a negligible risk of spreading infection.”

For further information please contact:

Paul Greeves, BHB, 020 7343 3306 or 07901 510079
Alan Delmonte, BHB, 020 7343 3318 or 07931 701536
Peter Webbon, Chief Veterinary Adviser, 01600 891183 or 07785 228872
John Maxse, Jockey Club, 020 7343 3219 or 07785 243232

For a full copy of the Instructions and Guidelines see www.bhb.co.uk or
www.thejockeyclub.co.uk.