The persistent threat of equine flu has causes the abandonment of Stratford‘s Hunter Chase evening on Friday 29 May. All such hunter chase meetings have now been cancelled for the foreseeable future, with the British Horseracing Authority BHA issuing an update.
With the sport taking action, here is today’s racing news round-up for Tuesday.
Equine flu: Stratford cancelled as BHA issues update
Stratford’s Hunter Chase evening on Friday 29 May has been abandoned due to the rise in equine flu cases. Indeed, all hunter chases have now been cancelled from Wednesday 20 May onwards. Increased measures of biosecurity are to be put in place to ensure Royal Ascot, among other meetings, can continue as planned this summer. The royal meeting begins on Tuesday 16 June, exactly four weeks away. (The Sun)
The British Horseracing Authority has issued a significant update on the measures taken to combat equine flu. As well as outlining their reasons for the above hunter chase cancellations, the BHA is insisting that only horses from licensed training yards will be permitted to race for the foreseeable future. Reported cases have continued to surge in non-thoroughbred horses. Nevertheless, measures have now been taken to combat any potential rise in thoroughbred racehorses too. (BHA)
Nicky Henderson fined after horses-in-training error
Nicky Henderson has been fined £2,500 after failing to keep his horses-in-training register updated. Officials from the BHA visited Henderson’s Seven Barrows last autumn at the beginning of the 2025/26 jumps season. 28 horses were selected to be routine tested for performance. However, six of the intended horses for testing were no longer housed at Henderson’s yard. One of them, Queen’s Cave, had not been housed at Seven Barrows since as early as May 2022. (Racing Post)
Royal Ascot: Ten-length Carlisle winner romps to top of Queen Mary market
Karl Burke has sent out two winners of the Group 2 Queen Mary Stakes at Royal Ascot since 2022. He may have another juvenile hotpot on his hands after Wild Blossom scorched the Carlisle turf on Monday. The daughter of Mehmas was not even favourite for her 5f novice event. However, she blitzed her rivals by ten lengths under James Doyle, who was suitably impressed. Bookmakers have cut Wild Blossom to 5/1 for the aforementioned Queen Mary Stakes on Wednesday 17 June. (Racing Post)
Temple Stakes attracts 16 confirmations
The Group 2 Temple Stakes is the feature race at Haydock on Saturday. The Group 2 sprint has attracted 16 confirmations, including multiple Group 1 winner Asfoora. The Australian-trained mare was fourth in the race in 2024 before leapfrogging to glory at Royal Ascot the following month. Recent Newmarket winner Night Raider is also in the field, as is last year’s King Charles III Stakes hero American Affair. (Sporting Life)