Echoes of the foot-and-mouth crisis of five years ago were evident yesterday as British racing prepared to mount its defences against swamp fever, a killer disease that has already struck nine horses in Ireland.

Limiting and monitoring equine movement between the countries is likely to be introduced imminently and a complete ban is not ruled out. Some Irish racecourses are already under threat of closure. A conference call is planned for tomorrow, involving leading British administrators, officials from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and key veterinary advisers.

Urgent action is almost guaranteed. Suspending horse movements between Britain and Ireland would temporarily cripple the lucrative breeding industry and also poses a threat to international racing competition. Glorious Goodwood, at which the Aidan O’Brien-trained Ad Valorem is a possible for the showpiece Sussex Stakes, could potentially be the first big meeting affected.

The disease, correctly called Equine Infectious Anaemia (EIA), which causes fever, emaciation and usually death, is spread by biting flies and was first detected in Ireland last month. Concern has intensified this week with the discovery of further cases and, last night, Peter Webbon, chief executive of the Horseracing Regulatory Authority (HRA), gave some unequivocal warnings.

British sales companies have met with government and veterinary figures in Ireland and requested testing procedures for all horses sent across for auctions, beginning with the Doncaster August sale in a fortnight.

Posted: 07|27|06 at 9:19 am. Filed under: Auction News.