Danedreams' participation in the Arc looks in doubt following an outbreak of EIA (Equine Infectious Anemia) at Cologne Racecourse, where she is stabled. As per regulations, the racecourse has been placed under quarantine and a ban has been put into force to stop any of the 300 or so horses stabled at the track from leaving. More here. Equine Infectious Anemia
No doubt the veterinary world will frantically be trying to trace the source of the outbreak. The best case scenario is that the infected horse at Cologne had recently travelled to/been imported from another country where the disease is endemic and picked it up there. The worst case scenario is that the horse was bitten by an infected insect at Cologne, which means it is likely that we will see more positives in the coming days.
Latest: CONNECTIONS of last year's Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winner Danedream have all but given up hope of the filly defending her crown on Sunday after an outbreak of a serious equine disease at the racing centre where she is based. The Peter Schiergen-trained four-year-old, who hacked up in the Arc 12 months, is being stabled at Cologne racecourse where a horse tested positive for equine infectious anemia (EIA), also known as swamp fever, on Monday night. Danedream is fine, but German authorities are set to prevent her travelling to France on Sunday. Patricke Barbe, spokesman for Danedream's part-owner Teruya Yoshida, told the Racing Post on Tuesday morning: "There is a scratching stage for the Arc today and another tomorrow. We'll keep her in until the last minute but the chances of running are one in a million. "The horses are in quarantine and the authorities say they can't move for three months, but that may change because they're doing tests on other horses." Danedream, who also won this year's King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, was well fancied to retain her Arc title, but Betfair suspended their market on Monday night following the dramatic news, while a number of bookmakers removed her from their betting. Japanese star Orfevre is now favourite for the Longchamp highlight.
Well done the firms who are refunding all ante post bets on Danedream in The Arc. Funds already credited to my account with Stan James; great customer service!! Come on Ladbrokes and Corals.
On the BBC Sports site... #Arc bets on #Danedream would usually be lost but because of 'exceptional circumstances' least 2 bookmakers refunding @CorneliusRacing 8 minutes ago Thats 2 minimum that Cornelius knows of, what about the rest...
This is such a shame as the Arc is one of the few races each year where you know everyone will turn up and that in most cases a win can not be questioned in terms of form. Although this years was reasonably good even races like the King George have begun to carry less weight in regard form than it once did, with Snow Fairy and now Danedream out it is looking a far more ordinairy race than a week ago.
I've seen a report which indicates that the source of the outbreak (one of several in Germany in recent months) has been traced back to a horse in an equine hospital in Germany, which has been used as a blood plasma donor. They are screening some 2,000 horses which have been in contact with this horse in recent years, as it is not clear when the horse became infected.
They are in real trouble at the moment - their two most high profile stallions (Monsun and Tiger Hill) have died in recent months.
