Britain's horse racing industry has been forced into crisis mode as four meetings scheduled for Wednesday have been abandoned due to extreme heat. The rare red extreme heat warning issued by the Met Office is a stark reminder of the welfare concerns facing horses in conditions that are expected to reach 37C in parts of England and Wales.
The decision to abandon four out of five meetings is a direct result of the British Horseracing Authority's (BHA) hot weather policy, which states that any fixture within a red warning zone must be cancelled. The policy also prohibits horses from being transported from or through areas subject to severe warnings.
Worcester's National Hunt meeting and Flat meetings at Salisbury and Kempton have all fallen within the designated red warning zones and will not proceed as planned. Ffos Las, located just outside the red zone, has been abandoned due to concerns about transporting horses through high-risk areas. In a bid to reschedule, Salisbury's meeting is now set for 30 June, while Ffos Las and Kempton Park are to be held on 29 June and Monday evening respectively.
Carlisle in Cumbria will remain unaffected and will go ahead as planned, featuring the historic Carlisle Bell and Cumberland Plate. Meanwhile, fixtures at Nottingham and Newmarket have been adjusted for Thursday, with racing scheduled during cooler parts of the day to avoid the hottest temperatures.
Trainer Alex Hales, who had runners due at Worcester, welcomed the BHA's decision, saying: "We just have to be sensible and work the horses earlier. We're constantly monitoring their welfare and ensuring they stay hydrated with electrolytes." Hales praised the industry for being proactive in addressing horse welfare concerns.
The BHA has confirmed it will continue to consult with racecourses in amber warning zones to consider further procedures throughout the week.