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Britain Remains Free From West Nile Virus

Samples from nearly 1,000 British horses revealed no presence of West Nile Virus (WNV). Transmitted by mosquitoes, West Nile Virus can cause severe neurological issues in horses; the disease has a fatality rate of about 33 percent in unvaccinated animals.

Drs. Arran Folly, Elisabeth Waller, Fiona McCracken, Lorraine McElhinney, Helen Roberts and Nicholas Johnson note that while this is good news for horse owners, they must remain vigilant in the fight against the disease. WNV is seen in many parts of the world, including the United States, southern Europe and Germany.

The researchers focused their study on southeast England, the area of Britain considered most at risk for virus introduction. The virus is most likely spread geographically by birds that have the virus; horses are a dead-end host for WNV.

Two of the 998 horses tested were positive for WNV antibodies, but upon further review, it was deemed that the antibodies were a result of vaccination for the virus within seven days of the testing.

The scientists concluded that there was no evidence of West Nile Virus transmission in England in 2019; this is in agreeance with the results of a 2019 British bird surveillance, which also found no West Nile Virus RNA in the birds.

Read the short report here.

Brexit Steering Group: Avoid Movement Of Horses To EU In First Two Weeks Of 2021

The Thoroughbred Industries Brexit Steering Group, which leads horse racing's preparations for the UK's departure from the EU, has advised members of the industry not to move horses to and from the EU unless absolutely necessary for at least the first two weeks of 2021.

With less than seven weeks to go before the transition period expires, there will be significant changes to how horses move between the UK and the EU from Jan. 1, irrespective of whether a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) is signed.

Whilst British racing is in regular contact with the relevant government departments to gather information and best prepare the industry for Brexit, some details remain to be fully clarified and the new travel arrangements will also be entirely dependent upon any agreement which may be made by the UK government with the EU.

The steering group remains hopeful that any such FTA that is signed will allow the outstanding points of detail to be resolved quickly, but as things stand confirmation on a number of matters is still pending:

The UK's status as a third country listing for animal health purposes following the end of the transition period
Authorizations to allow British transporters to operate within the EU and EU operators to operate in the UK
Recognition of the General Stud Book, (along with all other Stud Books and Breeding Books of all species), which identifies thoroughbreds and allows their movement as Registered horses.
Even in the event of agreements on these key areas for British racing being confirmed in the coming weeks, the Thoroughbred Industries Brexit Steering Group is of the view that there will be additional friction in moving thoroughbreds through key ports from Jan. 1, with the potential for initial disruption.

It is therefore advising that industry participants put off moving horses unless it is absolutely necessary within that initial two-week period, and to contact a transporter or shipping/customs agent for further guidance as a matter of priority.

Furthermore, following the confirmation of any FTA the Thoroughbred industry will need to understand the details of any equine health rules under which movements can take place as well as any replacement for the current Tripartite Agreement – originally made with France and Ireland – which currently governs Thoroughbred movements between Britain, France and Ireland.

The Chair of the Thoroughbred Industries Steering Group, Julian Richmond Watson said:

“We know that some people want to make plans for the New Year, but the picture will remain unclear until we know the terms of any new agreements between Britain and the EU.

“Even if there is an overarching trade deal, we will still need specific arrangements to be agreed covering the movement of thoroughbred horses.

“If industry members want to avoid the risk of delays or disruption, we advise them not to schedule movements in the first two weeks of 2021.

“Our message right now is 'Stand By, Change is Coming'. We would ask participants to keep up to date with the latest information regularly via the Brexit page on britishhorseracing.com and await direct communication from their membership body once we know the details.

“We continue to work closely with Defra and all other relevant UK government departments, who are well-informed about the needs of the racing and breeding industries. We are also in regular contact with our counterparts in Ireland and France and other EU jurisdictions.”

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Ladbrokes, Coral Withdraw From On-Track Betting Operations

Both Ladbrokes and Coral, owned by the same parent company in GVC, will withdraw on-track betting operations in Britain and Ireland, according to The Guardian.

In total, GVC owned 85 pitches in the UK and 21 in Ireland; all have been sold to John Hooper (seen on-track as Sid Hooper), which also purchased the 82 pitches of William Hill two years ago.

“The volume of business taken through the racecourse pitches is minuscule compared to the volumes generated in our off-course retail and digital businesses, and we no longer use the operation to hedge into the racecourse betting ring,” said Tom Ritzema, GVC's trading director.

“As the racecourse operation is loss-making and no longer has a strategic purpose, we have regrettably reached the decision to sell our pitches and leave the ring. The current situation with Covid-19, and racing behind closed doors, expedited the decision but was not one of the factors behind it.”

Addeybb Proves Too Good In QIPCO Champion Stakes

It rounded off a remarkable day for jockey power-couple Hollie Doyle and Tom Marquand who combined for 3 victories during Britain's richest race day.

It's been a memorable season for Marqaund and Addeybb who dominated down under throughout the winter as the duo claimed Group 1 victories in Australia. However, his main targets were always going to be during the Autumn as the Haggis team aimed him at his preferred soft ground and that paid off as Addeybb came home in front in this year's QIPCO Champion Stakes

During the race, it was Derby hero Serpentine who took up the running as expected. The eventual winner Addeybb sat just of the Classic winner in his favored position towards the front of the field. Favorite Magical settled in mid-division with Frankie Dettori with second-choice Mishriff just one off the rail.

The places didn't alter throughout the early stages with most content on holding position. As the pace began to quicken it was James Doyle and Lord North who made the first move as the duo began to make a move around the outside. The rest responded as Mishriff picked up the bridle and Skaletti continued to run on alongside the rail. Ryan Moore asked plenty of Magical but she was caught ever so slightly flat footed and couldn't quite pick up the leaders.

Into the final stages Addeybb continued to thunder on, ploughing his way through the softer ground as Sklatetti failed to really throw down a challenge.

Tom Marqaund only won his first Group 1 just a month ago in the St Leger but this performance will be right up there with his best of the season. A hugely satisfying win for the young jockey on the biggest stage of all and a wonderful victory for all connections.

Addeybb gets redemption!

Runner up last year, Addeybb floats home to a victory in the QIPCO Champion Stakes under Tom Marquand! 💨 pic.twitter.com/03WwmEnwNK

— Ascot Racecourse (@Ascot) October 17, 2020

Addeybb went one better in the 2020 G1 QIPCO Champion Stakes, putting up an authoritative display to take the 10-furlong showpiece. The 6-year-old had finished the three-quarter length runner-up to Magical 12 months ago.

Tom Marquand was the winning rider and is the boyfriend of Hollie Doyle, who rode the first two winners today.

A six-year-old son of Pivotal trained by William Haggas, Addeybb was always in a prominent position and travelled well throughout. Taking a clear advantage quarter of a mile from home, Addeybb was never in trouble thereafter and held off the challenge of Skalleti to win by a comfortable two and a quarter lengths.

Last year's winner Magical, the 15/8 favourite, did not seem to be going particularly well before making good late progress to take third, a further half a length back.

William Haggas said: “Addeybb is a marvellous horse. He was really up for it today. He is fantastic and I am absolutely thrilled for everyone.

“He didn't mind [the draw, 11]. He was in a great position and he stays. He is tough, he loves the ground and loves it here.

“He has been absolutely fantastic. Since he won the Wolferton last year and we put the cheek-pieces on, he has just been so consistent. He was really on it today. He looked fantastic beforehand, we thought, but he was grumpy and difficult to saddle, which is a good sign for him. He has such a marvellous nature and this is tailor-made for him. We all know that he loves this ground.

“The filly [Verry Elleegant] that he beat in both his G1 races in Australia won the Caulfield Cup today, beating Anthony Van Dyck, so they were smart performances, but he had never won a G1 in England. He had been second a few times, so that for us is the great joy – we have finally won a championship race with such a good horse.

“It has been quite interesting. I said after six-year-old One Master won the Foret for a third time that, if you can keep them happy, sound and not abuse them when they are young, they will reward you when they are older. This is exactly what he has done. Look at today – the QEII winner is five, the sprint winner is six – if they are sound, healthy and keep their enthusiasm, which he has done, then they can enjoy life. I think that was his best ever performance at the age of six.

“He is great at home and Safid, who rides him every day, said this morning that he would win and that he was really on form. I have been not very well for a bit and then have been at the sales when I have been better, so I have hardly seen him. I have seen him at first lot but that is it really, so all credit to my team at home and to Safid in particular, who dotes on this horse. I think he is looking for another couple of months in Australia next spring!

“I have no idea yet [on going back to Australia] because there are horses from Europe in Melbourne and they had 11,000 people at the races in Sydney today. If we can get there, we will obviously consider it. We also might consider Saudi Arabia as well, which is dirt but that dirt track is terrific. I was there last year and I thought it was terrific and possibly worth a short. We shall see and we are going to enjoy this day very much.

“Addeybb is a special horse for us and has done lots of things that we can only dream of.

“The first time he wore cheekpieces in the Wolferton last year he put up a pretty smart performance, and ever since then he's either been first or second in top company.

“He likes the ground and he goes well fresh. It seems a bit ridiculous taking him to Ayr to run in a Listed race, but actually it was a nice thing for him – Arc weekend was too close to this at two weeks – and it gave him a month in between. He loves it fresh and we try to keep him fresh, and he was fresh going into Australia.

“We always hoped he had it in him. I personally couldn't see Magical being beaten, because I thought she beat us comprehensively last year, not by very far, and I was frightened that the ground had dried a bit too much today. But it's pretty horrible and he loves it when it's horrible. He is at his best when there's a ground inspection in the morning and it passes. He is pretty versatile, but he's deadly on this ground.

“If you watched him all the way round, he was in the perfect position and never looked like being beaten.

“Tom [Marquand]'s a young guy who has a girlfriend kicking him up the backside every day, but he's a very personable, strong rider with a big future. I have no doubt he will be champion one day. They need to be riding on days like this, and he's got there very young, but he has a great future ahead of him.”

Tom Marquand said: “Honestly what a credit to Safid [Alam], William and Maureen and the whole team at home. He has gone to Australia, conquered down under and now he's come back up, he deserved that Group One up here so much because all he's done is knock on the door, show he's a champion and he's never got his real swansong today, but today's he's got it.

“He travelled like a true good horse throughout the race and to be honest when I started getting going, I just bombed the straight. It is remarkable, I've never ridden a horse like him. He goes over ground that's as bad as you can get and he makes it feel like you are on quick ground. That is why he's so good on it.

“It is just incredible. He has shown that he is top-class in Australia, winning two G1s, and Verry Elleegant went and beat our Derby winner from last year Anthony Van Dyck this morning, who Addeybb beat in the Ranvet and QEII. He has come here today and has torn the field apart, beating the likes of Magical. You have to be a champion to do that.

“Genuinely, the draw was the primary and only concern that I had about the race. It can be a pretty tricky start coming down to that sharp bend straight away and to settle into the race is the main concern. Again, in the straight, he is so powerful through the line and just trucks on as if the ground is not an issue, which is phenomenal.”

Referring to girlfriend Hollie Doyle, Marquand said: “I'm so, so proud of her.

“All she does is get up every day and graft, and to ride her first G1 for Archie Watson is brilliant because he's played such a big part, but also for Alan King because he's played a big part for both of us in the last few years. Our first Royal Ascot winners were for him and he's had a cracking year. There is no one, genuinely no one, who deserves it more.”

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