Trainers receive horse travel boost

Trainers do not need extra certification for horses travelling to and from Britain and Ireland following the recent outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease.

It had been expected that an Animal Health certificate would be required after a case was confirmed on Wednesday at Egham in Surrey.

However, the Department of Agriculture and Food in Ireland confirmed there is no need for extra certification for horses travelling to and from the two countries.

The news will be welcomed as there are plenty of horses crossing the Irish Sea over the next few days due to the big race meetings at the Curragh and Doncaster.

“Trainers and other stakeholders have been alerted to this positive development, and the advice on the racing administration website has been amended accordingly,” a statement from the British Horseracing Authority read.