BHA monitoring conditions for racing with heat set to soar over 35C from Sunday

The BHA is monitoring the potential for "unprecedented temperatures" in Britain from Sunday and into the early part of next week, which could threaten fixtures across England and Wales.

A Met Office amber warning was issued on Monday for "exceptionally high temperatures" which pose a danger to life for vulnerable people in the two countries. It is expected to reach in excess of 35C in the south east of England from Sunday into Monday and remain sweltering across the danger area before temperatures begin to drop from next Wednesday.

Next week’s fixtures at Windsor on Monday and Chelmsford on Tuesday are most likely to be impacted by the highest temperatures, while racing on Sunday is scheduled over jumps at Stratford and Newton Abbot as well as Redcar on the Flat.

Sally Taylor, the BHA's head of equine health and operations, said: "We've seen those forecasts. It does depend on the modelling, as all the forecasts use different modelling. The most extreme forecasts show high, unprecedented temperatures. We're monitoring it and will continue to do so. Racing has been abandoned in the past when temperatures were unmanageable."

A high of 32C was recorded on Monday but it did not cause any issues to the five meetings stages across Britain, and Taylor added: "It's not unprecedented to race in high temperatures. Obviously, other jurisdictions do it all the time. We have had temperatures like this [current temperatures] in the past, both for Flat racing and for summer jump racing. So it is established that it can be done safely."

'We take higher temperatures extremely seriously'

In July 2019, Southwell abandoned its final two races with temperatures reaching 36C, and precautions are already being taken in expectation of similar scorching temperatures.

Charlie Moore, who stood in as clerk of the course that day and said "common sense prevailed" at the time, is helping racecourse group Arena Racing Company's preparations for next week. Fixtures at Arc tracks include Windsor on Monday, and Southwell and Wolverhampton on Tuesday.

Moore said: "As with all racecourses, we take higher temperatures extremely seriously and make sure we have resources in place on course ahead of periods such as the one forecast for the coming weekend.

"We also remain in regular dialogue with the BHA and their veterinary officers, as well as our own highly skilled equine vets, to make sure that all of the various hot weather requirements are met and that we have adequate water for cooling horses, and for people who work throughout all areas of the racecourse.

"Around equine areas such as the stables, paddock and track we will have fans, water and ice, along with extra people on hand to administer them, as required. Extra water is available for members of our own racecourse team, as well as the BHA team, jockeys, racing staff and anyone else who might require it."

Measures will be taken in advance of scorching British temperatures in the coming daysCredit: Edward Whitaker

A high of 31C is expected on Tuesday in south-east England shortly before an evening fixture at Chelmsford starts, but the Essex course is fully prepared to deal with the hot weather.

Clerk of the course Jamie Waitt said: "We were out this morning making sure we've got enough water to go around. The vets were on the phone and we're all prepared."

Southwell stages the only jumps card on Tuesday and as a precautionary measure BHA vets will check all runners before racing.

Paul Barker, clerk of the course at Southwell, said: "We'll be putting on extra provisions – lots of water for horses and stable staff. We had some really extreme temperatures here not too long ago and we've once again bolstered up with cold water and more staff.

"We're doing everything we can. We don't envisage any problems as the temperature is forecast to drop considerably."

Former jockey-turned-trainee clerk of the course Ben Hicks is ready for the new challenge the heat presents at Bath as the track prepares for Tuesday's six-race card. The course is the only one in Britain without a watering system, but conditions are deemed fine for racing.

"We've been selectively light bowsering, just putting a little on for grass health, colour and to aid recovery," said Hicks. "It won't change the going and the track's looking well.

"It's a day meeting so it'll be hot throughout, with temperatures peaking for the last few races. This will be the hottest it's been so it's all new for me, but luckily we've got an experienced team and an experienced head groundsman who knows the track well."

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