Horse racing chaos as heatwave sees occasions deserted – full checklist
The British Horseracing Authority has rescheduled three of the four meetings that were postponed on Wednesday due to the extremely hot weather forecast across much of the UK this week
Four meetings have been cancelled(Image: Jay Town, Racing Photos via Getty Images)
The British Horseracing Authority has rearranged three of the four meetings that were called off on Wednesday owing to the scorching weather conditions predicted across large parts of the UK this week. On Monday morning, race meetings at Worcester, Salisbury, Kempton and Ffos Las were abandoned in the interests of safety for the horses and those taking part.
Later that afternoon, Ffos Las was moved to Monday June 29, with Kempton now set to go ahead that evening. Salisbury has been moved to Tuesday June 30, though the Worcester meeting remains without a new date.
The BHA also confirmed that Thursday’s fixtures at Newmarket and Nottingham have been brought forward to ensure they conclude before the most sweltering part of the day, while the two-mile Dereham Handicap at Newmarket will now run there on Friday.
The BHA’s hot weather policy stipulates that where racecourses fall within a red warning zone, the fixture will be abandoned. Additionally, horses must not be transported from or through areas that have red warnings in place.
Carlisle’s meeting in Cumbria remains on schedule for Wednesday, featuring the historic Carlisle Bell and Cumberland Plate.
Trainer Alex Hales, who had been due to have two runners at Worcester on Wednesday, backed the decision to call off the meeting, insisting horse welfare comes first. “We just have to be sensible. We try to work the horses earlier and get the main bits of work done before the sun really comes up and, with travelling, the lorries have fans in them now to keep the temperatures down,” he said.
“But if the temperatures are getting as high as predicted keeping the horses hydrated with plenty of electrolytes as well is very important. We are constantly monitoring the horses and if they are showing signs of getting too hot we would pull them out and get them under the hosepipe and cool them off that way. But I think the BHA have been very sensible and the whole industry is sensible with it.”
Full list of abandoned meetings (all Wednedsay, June 24):
- Worcester (10.30am)
- Ffos Las (5.30pm)
- Salisbury (5.45pm)
- Kempton Park (5.50pm)
