Racing chiefs vaccinated each horse inside a mile of Epsom in opposition to killer equine flu
Racing chiefs could not take any chances with the showpiece which faced the axe if an infected horse was found anywhere near the racecourse
Pat Cosgrave riding Desert Cop at Epsom(Image: Getty Images)
Racing chiefs vaccinated every horse within a mile of Epsom against killer equine flu to save The Derby. The historic £2m sporting showpiece faced the axe if an infected horse was found anywhere near the racecourse.
Strict new rules have been brought in to stop a record nationwide outbreak spreading to thoroughbreds. Last month a meeting at Plumpton was called off due to a confirmed case in a stable next to the track.
Racing chiefs could not take any chances with the showpiece which will be televised across 170 countries. To safeguard it The Jockey Club tracked down every horse within a mile radius of the course, gave it an anti-flu vaccination and picked up the bill.
The massive 48-hour jab sweep has allowed the race – which dates back to 1780 – to go ahead. At least 60,000 are expected to attend the two-day meeting which starts with Ladies’ Day on Friday.
Many watch for free on a hill overlooking the course – including travellers attending a fair on horseback. Officials have convinced them to leave their nags at home.
The British Horseracing Authority brought in measures a fortnight ago in a bid to control the outbreak of the highly contagious viral respiratory disease which can kill foals, elderly and unvaccinated horses, donkeys and zebras.
It can result in bronchitis, pneumonia and vital organ damage. According to the British Horse Society symptoms include a temperature over 101.3F, cough, nasal discharge, loss of appetite, lethargy, swollen glands around the jaw and gagging while eating.
If it infects thoroughbreds it could run rampant across Britain as they are moved between racecourses. Petting farms, pony rides, horse parades and hunter chase races have been axed and non-thoroughbreds banned from meetings.
Epsom general manager Jim Allen said the racecourse was ‘an open site used regularly by non-thoroughbreds’ and ‘we wanted to make sure we were on the front foot’.
“We spoke to the British Horseracing Authority and we decided to vaccinate all non-licensed thoroughbreds within a mile of the racetrack to make sure that we were covered,” he said.
“The authority approved the project and within two days we vaccinated every non-thoroughbred within a mile of the racecourse.”
Allen said 56 horses have been vaccinated.
He added: “As soon as the news spread that equine flu was gathering we contacted the authority early to ask what we could do to protect the Derby because we wanted it to go ahead in its regular slot.
“They said we could vaccinate horses close to the racetrack and once we did that they were happy. We just wanted to make sure we protected the Derby.”
The 247th running of the race – which boasts a £1m first prize – will be attended by the King and Queen for the first time since they ascended to the throne.
It will be the climax of 90 minutes of ‘racing heaven’ including the Coolmore Coronation Cup – starring world’s best racehorse Calandagan – and the five-furlong Betfred Dash which is the fastest four-legged sprint on Earth.
The Derby winner will become an instant legend following in the hooves of the likes of the sport’s giants Galileo, Shergar, Troy, The Minstrel, Mill Reef, Nijinksy and Benny The Dip.
Pixie Lott and The Hoosiers will play at DerbyFest which overlooks the course. The course will feature a branch of Ibiza club O Beach for 3,500 revellers to chill out to dance anthems between races.
