A nightmare scenario has unfolded for trainer Jennie Candlish, forcing her to temporarily shut down her racing yard due to a confirmed case of strangles in one of her horses. This highly contagious respiratory illness can quickly spread, threatening the health and careers of many horses. But here's where it gets controversial... How can we better protect horses from outbreaks like this?
The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has reported that, in addition to the confirmed case, two other horses at Candlish's yard are exhibiting symptoms consistent with strangles. Consequently, Candlish will be barred from entering any horses in races for the foreseeable future, a devastating blow to any trainer. To put it simply, strangles is no joke. It's caused by a bacterial infection that attacks a horse's lymph nodes in the upper respiratory tract, leading to severe symptoms like difficulty breathing, a high fever, and a thick, purulent nasal discharge. Think of it like a really nasty cold, but for horses, and much more dangerous. And this is the part most people miss... It's not just direct horse-to-horse contact that spreads the disease; contaminated equipment, shared water sources, and even human hands can transmit the bacteria.
Alan O’Keeffe, Candlish’s partner, acknowledged the situation, stating that they are cooperating fully with the BHA and their veterinary team to manage the outbreak. "We have a confirmed case in our yard and we'll be working closely with the BHA and our vets. It’s one of those things," O’Keeffe said, highlighting the frustrating and unpredictable nature of the disease. What's particularly puzzling is that the infected horse hasn't raced in six weeks and has been a resident of the yard for three years. This makes tracing the source of the infection incredibly difficult. O’Keeffe also mentioned that, realistically, they are preparing for a potential month-long quarantine, referencing the recent experience of trainers Josh Guerriero and Oliver Greenall who faced a similar situation.
The BHA has praised Candlish for her swift and proactive response, which has enabled them to implement biosecurity measures to contain the spread of the illness. They've assured other trainers that the affected horses are receiving treatment in a secure environment. However, the BHA has also issued an advisory urging trainers who had runners at Southwell on November 25th or 26th, Wetherby on November 26th, or Uttoxeter on November 27th – dates when Candlish had competing horses – to be extra vigilant for any signs of strangles in their own horses. Boldly highlighting any point in the article that could spark differing opinions, the BHA added, "There is no reason to believe there is any increased risk to horses that raced at these fixtures as the horses that travelled from the yard have not shown any clinical signs." But can we really be sure? Is this enough to calm the nerves of other trainers?
This unfortunate situation comes at the end of what had been a stellar year for Candlish, with a personal best of 40 Flat winners, including the talented Alzahir, who secured seven victories, most notably a Listed race in France in October. It's a stark reminder that even the most successful stables are vulnerable to the ever-present threat of infectious diseases. "Our owners have been very understanding and supportive, and it’s come at the end of what has otherwise been an unbelievable year for us," O’Keeffe said, demonstrating the resilience and support within the racing community.
What measures do you think should be implemented to prevent the spread of strangles in racing yards? Should there be mandatory testing for all horses entering a yard, or stricter quarantine protocols? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below!
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