3 minute read

After affecting racing in Mumbai, Kolkata and New Delhi, the dreaded Equine Influenza has spread to Karnataka and Mysore.

Reports emanating from the Kunigal Stud Farm in Karnataka confirmed that horses were running fever and showing signs of this infection.

The authorities at the Farm had taken blood samples for testing and were quick to inform the race clubs in Mysore and Bangalore.

Despite the outbreaks there has been no bar on movement of horses within the country.

By Monday Mysore Race Club reported more than 40 horses had been brought to the equine hospital with high fever.

The race meting scheduled for Wednesday has been cancelled and further racing activities have been put on hold until further notice.

Stewards have asked Mysore trainers to refrain from working their horses while Bangalore Turf Club were keeping their fingers crossed they can hold Saturday's Bangalore 1000 Guineas.

Hyderabad Race Club has imported specific vaccine to combat the virus and will go ahead with the process of vaccinating their entire stock.

The fact that horses have to be rested for a minimum of two weeks from the date of administering the vaccine will result in racing activities at Hyderabad ceasing for a minimum of three weeks.

The meetings scheduled for November 30 and December 1 have been bought forward to November 27 and 28 but races scheduled for December 7 and 8 have been cancelled.

The Golconda 2000 Guineas , originally scheduled for December 7, has been put back to December 21.

On the positive side, horses at Delhi Race Club are on the way to recovery with no fresh cases reported since the first outbreak in October.