Bookies warn racing industry could lose ‘tens of millions of pounds’ due to cancellation

The cancellation of racing because of the equine flu outbreak could cost the industry tens of millions of pounds, bookmakers have warned.

Horse racing will not resume in Britain until next Wednesday at the earliest, after three horses at Donald McCain’s yard tested positive for the virus.

As many as 75 racing yards had their entire stable of horses tested for equine flu this morning.

Trainer Dan Skelton was among those who had horses quarantined after five of them raced at a meeting where McCain’s horses were present on Wednesday. This morning vets and staff were testing every single horse in the yard.

“This goes beyond competition and simple economics, this is a welfare issue and everyone takes it very seriously,” said Skelton (above).

“Let’s hope this is just an isolated case — certainly the British Horseracing Authority are quite positive this morning they got onto this quickly.

“Economically, we need to get back racing as quickly as possible but we’re dealing with something serious and we know how negative it can be if it gets out of control. The general feeling is we’re on top of this and, unless the industry is astoundingly unlucky, we’ll be back racing soon.”

Bookmaker Betfair warned the implications on racing’s suspension being extended beyond Wednesday could potentially be huge.

A spokesman said: “While the projected hiatus of racing will have a detrimental effect on the industry, it would not be profound but a prolonged period of cancellations would obviously have a negative impact on all stakeholders, the cost of which could be tens of millions.”

Skelton admitted his — and other trainers’ — pockets would be hit hard by the cancellation of lucrative races this weekend, as he likened the situation to the hotel industry.

“We’re lucky to have full hotel rooms but it’s like no one’s buying food or spending at the bar,” he said.

For freelance jockeys such as Tom Scudamore, the financial impact is arguably the greatest.

He said: “It’s the busiest time of year and I had five rides on Thursday and plenty today and tomorrow. Financially, I’m not getting paid at the moment as jockeys are essentially self-employed.

“The most important thing is that we’re back racing as soon as possible.”