I have no idea how they are going to explain this one away as it is completely illogical. The Mares’ Chase may have been the longest race on the card, but surely that would mean the runners were travelling the slowest (further to go). If it was perceived that the high temperature was the problem, why is it safe enough for a two mile hurdle and a two mile chase? There is surely relatively little difference between a two mile NH flat race and a straightforward two mile flat race, but I cannot recall the latter having ever been abandoned in the middle of summer when the temperature on occasions has exceeded the mid-twenties. Given the weather forecast, is Fontwell’s Friday meeting in doubt? There are five races on their card of more the two-and-a-half miles and the BBC forecast says 25 degrees.
I hope they reimburse the connections for that! Howver I can see why they did that. Can you imagine the outcry if a horse collapsed with heat exhaustion. 3m2f in the 25C heat. I know they have summer jumping but don’t forget it is in the evening most of it and none of the courses have the hill which after running that far exhorting that much over fences(a lot more energy and pressure put on a horse over fences) would take a lot out especially a horse lugging around 11st 12- they should have gone about it completey differently but they wouldn’t have taken the decision lightly and I’m sure jockeys etc were involved in the decision. At the end we have applaud them for doing what is best for he Horses!! As i say I don’t agree with how they went about it but I agree with the decision!
agree with woolly , the decision was taken in the horses welfare , after all it's them doing all the work , and risk , i'm sure stick will give us a on the spot account of the strange day at prestbury park .....
Totally agree with Wooly and in general to abandon it but as QMII said, i don't get why they purely abandoned that race, should of abandoned it all, temperature didn't really change in 30 mins
I'd be massive pissed off if I'd made the journey specifically for that one race and I can totally sympathise with anyone in that position. All things considered though, I think it's a really encouraging sign that the welfare of the horses is being put first. I'd only hope that the decision was made entirely by the governing body because they actually want to do the right thing and not purely a result of outside pressure leaving them having to be seen to do the "right" thing. Seems like only last week it was snowing. That said, also seems like only last week Many Clouds tragically didn't quite make it to the winners enclosure at this same track, on a day so much cooler than today. If I was totally confident these steps were taken for entirely the right reasons, I'd be more than happy to see things like todays abandoned race happen more often.
Sets a hell of a precedent for those who'd like to see the end of national hunt racing though. If 3.25 miles in mid 20s temps is considered dangerous then we should be seeing any many more abandonments over the summer. Summer jump racing is not all evening affairs either. Perth and Uttoxeter to name just 2 have afternoon NH racing over the summer months. I'm sure there are plenty of others.
You won't get 25c at the Perth racing very often! Thats my neck of the woods. I've only ever came home with hypothermia.
That's true. I must be a lucky charm though as I've had 3 seperate golfing holidays in Scotland, each lasted a week and not once had to pull my waterproofs out of the bag.
I didn't mean to so rudely undermine your point, I agree that it sets a huge precedent. I'm assuming from all reports that circa ~25c with little to no wind-chill met some sort of threshold that sent alarm bells ringing, somewhere up the chain. It's not often here we're in the situation where the weather might be too nice for the racing.
No rudeness detected from me Kodiac so no worries. I just think it's a pretty bizarre situation all round. A horse collapsed and sadly died in an earlier race there today but no evidence currently that it was heat exhaustion. They're going to carry out a post mortem to establish the cause so that should throw some light on it. They do race in some very hot places around the world though granted very few are 3 mile plus steeplechases. Surely the Ascot Gold Cup over 2.5 miles on a 28-30 degree (yes we do get the odd one) July day must be just as problematic given the speed those horses are doing.
Not read all the posts in detail but I can update with some of today’s events from a first hand perspective. Thirty minutes before the fourth race was due to be run the stewards decided to have a meeting regarding the racing conditions. The veterinary team and trainers of horses due to run in the fourth race. One of the big factors in the decision making process was the recent staggering change in climate and the fact that horses in training would not have had a realistic chance to acclimatise to summer conditions! The decision was taken to abandon the fourth race as it was a long distance race but run the final three events that were two milers. Understandably I was disappointed but the welfare of the horses should always take precedence over any over parties wishes. I actually feel the only wrong thing regarding today’s decision was to run the rest of the races. Imagine the animal welfare outcry had a horse died of heat exhaustion in one of those races.
Who'd be a steward! All in all a good choice, but as you say Stick, why not just kybosh the rest of the card.
She will be back in training next season. Discussions are ongoing as to whose colours she will carry.
That was a shocker from Roaring Lion today, he was pretty much the finished article last season and didnt look one that was going to improve massively as a 3yo but still expected better, happy enough though as its one less danger for Elarqam. Saxon Warrior isnt a miler and Masar shouldnt be good enough so it looks like Gustav Klimt is my main danger at this stage, I dismissed him last season as a Guineas winner and im still confident that Elarqam will beat him. Expert Eye looked a top class miler in the making at Goodwood last year and was too bad to be true in the Dewhurst, if he wins impressively then hes probably going to start favourite and if not then Elarqam will be clear second choice on the day.
