By Marcus Townend for the Daily Mail
Published: 22:30 GMT, 11 February 2019 | Updated: 23:00 GMT, 11 February 2019
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The BHA were under growing pressure to re-start racing on Wednesday as their veterinary committee met on Monday night to discuss the equine influenza crisis.
Racing’s ruling body announced a six-day shutdown of the sport last Wednesday after three horses tested positive for the highly contagious virus at the Cheshire stable of Grand National-winning trainer Donald McCain.
A total of six horses have now tested positive at the McCain yard and they were joined late on Sunday by four in the Newmarket stable of trainer Simon Crisford.
Four horses trained by Simon Crisford at Kremlin House Stables tested positive for equine flu
But there was a growing clamour for the BHA to come up with a strategy that would allow at least a partial resumption.
Trainers including Nigel Twiston-Davies and Colin Tizzard have questioned the BHA strategy, and prominent owner Dai Walters claimed they had ‘lit a fire they can’t put out’.
Authorities in Ireland, where there have been flu outbreaks but not in active racing yards, have lifted a temporary ban imposed on runners from Britain.
Three horses tested positive for the contagious virus at the Cheshire stable of Donald McCain
The veterinary committee
