BHB to open more courses

The British Horseracing Board is to open up additional courses for racing during the on-going outbreak of foot and mouth disease, it emerged today.

There are 14 British tracks unable to race under current BHB and Jockey Club guidelines because they fall within a 10-kilometre exclusion zone around an infected farm.

But following its monthly board meeting the BHB this afternoon issued a statement which said: 'The BHB board discussed the option of increasing the number of racecourses involved in presenting a controlled programme of racing during the foot and mouth outbreak.

'BHB agreed to establish criteria on which a decision will be made as to which additional courses could be allowed to race.

'These will be based on the local environment, history of the disease in that area and the layout of the course.

'Before any such course is allowed to race, BHB will seek ratification from Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Foods officials.

'In discussing the issue, the board was influenced by the success of the current instructions and guidelines for racing, which now form the basis of the guidelines used by Irish racing and several other sporting and leisure organisations, and the fact that this coincides with the Government`s opening up of the countryside.

'The board will be working to a timetable that introduces additional courses from around the end of this month. The intervening time will be used to make the necessary preparation, in full consultation with MAFF officials.'