Equine flu latest: Trainers left frustrated as new six month vaccination rule means HUNDREDS of horses can’t run
Nicky Henderson, Olly Murphy and Evan Williams are just some of the handlers affected by the BHA's latest announcement
HUNDREDS of horses are set to face more time on the sidelines following a change in vaccination policy.
The BHA has announced all trainers must make sure their horses have been vaccinated within the last six months - otherwise they can't run.
The statement follows news last night that racing will return as soon as tomorrow following a six-day ban due to equine flu.
However, the announcement has been bittersweet for plenty, with many trainers unable to run their stable until all vaccinations have been completed.
Among those affected is Olly Murphy, whose entire string will need to be vaccinated before he can declare any runners.
He said: "It's absolute madness. I worked for Gordon Elliott for five years, he vaccinates his horses once a year - which is completely legitimate - so I've always done the same.
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"Barring a handful, I vaccinated all my horses on July 12. I'll now have to vaccinate them all again and although they're saying we can run them again seven days later, it will probably be 10 to 14 days before I have another runner as they'll need a bit of time to get over it.
"I know Paul Nicholls vaccinates all his horses in January, which is fine, but there'll be a lot of trainers in the same position as we are.
"I have a hundred horses and I now need to ring all the owners and tell them that even though racing is back on, their horses can't run.
"We're tying to run a business here. Joe Soap can go down the betting shop and have his bet again, but for us it's a disaster.
"They've basically changed the rules at 11.30pm last night and a lot of trainers are no better off this morning than they were yesterday.
"This is no way to run a sport."
Another trainer affected is Nicky Henderson, whose stable stars Verdana Blue and Santini fall into the 'unvaccinated' category.
He said: "It's been a frustrating two weeks, as we were snowed in before this. Obviously we are all delighted with the news, as this is what we wanted to hear after everyone had looked at the situation.
"We are only just getting our results back, but I gather they are all OK. We have still got some more to come, but I imagine they will be all right.
"We have got one or two frustrations because of the vaccinations - it has caught out one or two horses as they have just fallen outside of the window. We have just got to juggle a few things around, which is frustrating.
"Everyone uses different vaccination programmes. A certain percentage will be fine, but others won't."
"There are a few that were due to run this weekend that can't run like Santini, and Verdana Blue can't run in her fast-track qualifier, so that takes her out of her Good Friday race.
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"Yellow Dockets can't run in the Grade Two at Sandown and Beware The Bear is another who can't run in the Grand National Trial at Haydock, but we could reroute him to the Eider Chase.
"We have just got to get our heads round a few things. We can sort them out today and they would be able to run next week, but that it is no good for many of them as for some these were the only races they could run in.
"You only have 10 positives tests (for equine flue) compared to all the negatives and with the percentages you had to go (resume racing) now.
"I do believe it was vital to start racing now otherwise you were never going to."
The new rule states that every horse must be given a week's break after being vaccinated before it can run again.
However, some trainers have hit lucky, with Alan King and Paul Nicholls having both vaccinated their strings in January.
King said: "Obviously we are pleased to be back and it is a relief. The horses are all ready to roll and get going again. It is time to move on now, so let's kick on.
"All my horses were vaccinated in either the Christmas week or the first part of January - all before I went on holiday. I nearly didn't do them at that time as they were all in such good form and it can just take the edge of them, but thank goodness I did.
"We were not overly busy so we did them, but I think there will be an awful lot of trainers without runners at the weekend."
Colin Tizzard, another trainer to have been unaffected, believes the BHA has made the right decision.
He said: "Looking back at it, you have got to take your hat off to them as they have stood their ground.
"It has taken a bit of sorting out and we did start to push them a bit to get going, but now they have it is good to have racing back. They have got together and put the right races on.
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"We vaccinate our horses twice a year and they were all done around Christmas and in the first week in January. We've not had any word from the BHA that we are clear, but then we have had no word we are not.
"We have to give credit where it is due, as this is an untold scenario. We can't knock them as we are back racing and it is all fine now."
The BHA this afternoon responded to trainers who have been badly affected, announcing new races will be added to the schedule over the weekend of February 23.
However, with the Cheltenham Festival so close, it remains to be seen how many will use the opportunity.