THE Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board (IHRB) has issued an update on the measures introduced as a result of the equine influenza outbreak.

The Irish Equine Centre has advised the IHRB that the enhanced vaccination approach remains appropriate in the face of this outbreak.

For these enhanced measures to work effectively, trainers are strongly advised to vaccinate all horses including non-racehorses under their care immediately. In addition, requirements for runners on the racecourse and at point-to-points are as follows:

  • Up to and including March 15th, the current requirement continues. Horses must have received a vaccine containing a Clade 1 representative no more than eight weeks before their race.

  • From March 16th this will be replaced by a standard requirement that all horses must have been vaccinated on or after January 18th with a vaccine representing Clade 1.

  • In accordance with the Rules, horses are not qualified to run if they have received a vaccination within the previous seven days. Six clear days must elapse between date of vaccination and date of race (eg: a horse vaccinated on a Friday can run the following Friday).

  • As stated above, trainers are strongly advised to vaccinate all horses including non-racehorses under their care immediately if they have not already done so. The authorities believe that the impact of the outbreak is minmised by boosting the herd immunity as a whole as rapidly as possible.

  • Horses vaccinated with the appropriate vaccination on or after January 18th will not be required to receive a further emergency booster vaccination.

  • The IHRB will continue to assist with the checking of passports on and off the racecourse.

  • IHRB veterinary officers and assistants will continue to carry out veterinary inspections with increased scrutiny at entrances to racecourse stables on all horses. Trainers and handlers are advised that if any horse shows any sign of respiratory disease, they will not be allowed to enter racecourse stables or race.

  • Trainers are strongly advised to check their runners close to travel which should include taking their temperature to ensure that they are fit to race.

  • The IHRB will be conducting testing to support this enhanced vaccination policy.

    • IHRB chief executive Denis Egan said: "We have amended our vaccination requirements to give clarity to trainers with regard to the criteria that must be met for the coming months. Today’s announcement also confirms that any horse vaccinated on or after January 18th with the correct vaccination will not need to be revaccinated with another emergency booster vaccination."

    Egan thanked trainers for their response and noted the very high levels of compliance with the enhanced requirements on the racecourse.