Race Meetings Cancelled Due To Red Weather Warning

Several race meetings cancelled due to heatwave conditions have left the British racing schedule disrupted this week after the British Horseracing Authority confirmed four Wednesday fixtures would not go ahead because of a rare red weather warning.

Fixtures at Kempton, Salisbury, Worcester and Ffos Las will no longer take place as temperatures are expected to climb towards 40C across parts of southern England and Wales.

The decision follows guidance set out in the BHA’s hot weather policy, which states that fixtures located within red weather warning zones must be cancelled to protect both horses and people from potentially dangerous conditions.

Kempton and Ffos Las have already been rescheduled for next Monday, while Salisbury’s fixture has been moved to the following Tuesday. Worcester’s abandoned meeting has not yet been given a new date.

The Met Office warning remains in place from the early hours of Wednesday through to late Thursday evening, with forecasters warning of significant disruption and exceptionally high temperatures.

Although Ffos Las sits just outside the official red warning area, the BHA explained that horses cannot be transported from, or through, regions covered by the warning. As a result, the fixture was also unable to go ahead.

For now, Wednesday’s meeting at Carlisle is still expected to proceed, while racing in Ireland continues with a fixture at Naas.

The BHA has confirmed it will continue to monitor conditions throughout the week and assess remaining meetings individually. Racecourses located in amber warning zones will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis depending on local forecasts and conditions on the ground.

Several tracks have already introduced measures to reduce the impact of the heat. Nottingham and Newmarket have brought Thursday’s race times forward to allow horses, staff and racegoers to avoid travelling during the hottest part of the day. Additional watering stations, veterinary support and welfare measures are also being put in place at several venues.

Trainers have also been adjusting their routines, with many yards starting work earlier in the morning and reducing workloads where necessary to keep horses comfortable during the hot spell.

The last time racing was disrupted on this scale due to extreme temperatures was during the summer of 2022, when several fixtures were abandoned during a record-breaking heatwave.

Despite the disruption, racing fans will still have plenty to look forward to over the coming days, with meetings continuing where conditions allow. Those looking for selections across the week’s action can find the latest expert picks and analysis in our WhichBookie Racing Tips section.

With temperatures expected to remain exceptionally high for several days, racegoers, trainers and officials will all be hoping conditions ease quickly and allow the sport to return to normal as soon as possible.

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