The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has cancelled four race meetings across southern England and parts of the Midlands, responding to an extreme weather warning that poses significant risks to participants.
The decision underscores a commitment to welfare as high temperatures are forecast to sweep across the region.
Worcester’s National Hunt fixture, which had already been brought forward to Wednesday morning on Sunday in anticipation of the heat, will now not proceed at all.
Wednesday’s flat meetings at Salisbury and Kempton have also been abandoned. The jumps fixture at Ffos Las, although situated just outside the official red warning zone, was also called off due to the requirement for participants to travel through high-risk areas to reach the course, highlighting the broader impact of the severe weather.
The BHA’s hot weather policy mandates the abandonment of any fixture located within a red warning zone. Crucially, it also stipulates that horses must not be transported from or through areas where red warnings are in effect.
Despite these widespread cancellations, Carlisle’s meeting in Cumbria, which includes the historic Carlisle Bell and Cumberland Plate, remains scheduled to take place.
In a statement, the BHA clarified its position: "The decision to abandon the fixtures has been taken in conjunction with the racecourses with a view to mitigating any risk to the health and well-being of equine and human participants."
The authority further indicated its proactive approach, stating it would "continue to liaise with racecourses hosting fixtures in amber warning zones this week to consider any further mitigations that may be needed, in line with the BHA’s hot weather policy."
It emphasised that "each fixture will be managed on a case-by-case basis, with several factors considered according to the local weather forecast and environmental conditions”, and reiterated that "trainers are reminded that horses should not be moved from or through any areas where red heat warnings are in place."
Trainer Alex Hales, who had been preparing two runners for Worcester, voiced strong support for the BHA’s decision, asserting that horse welfare must always come first.
He detailed the measures already in place to protect animals: "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."
Hales also stressed the importance of hydration in extreme conditions: "But if the temperatures are getting as high as predicted keeping the horses hydrated with plenty of electrolytes as well is very important."
He concluded by commending the industry’s collective responsibility: "I think the BHA have been very sensible and the whole industry is sensible with it."
