An outbreak of equine flu has forced the cancellation of all British racing on Thursday.

The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) made the decision on Wednesday night after the Animal Health Trust confirmed three positives tests from vaccinated horses in an active racing yard.

In a statement, the BHA reported horses from the infected yard raced on Wednesday at Ayr and Ludlow, adding identification of the virus in vaccinated animals presented a “cause for significant concern”.

Donald McCain’s yard was the only one represented at both tracks.

The BHA statement added: “The action to cancel racing has been viewed as necessary in order to restrict, as far as possible, the risk of further spread of the disease.

“The BHA has worked quickly to identify which yards could have potentially been exposed today and identify the further actions required.”

Thursday’s cancellations come less than five weeks before the start of this year’s Cheltenham Festival – the annual highlight of the National Hunt calendar.

The crowds are due to descend next month on the Cheltenham Festival, where Native River won last year's Gold Cup
The crowds are due to descend next month on the Cheltenham Festival, where Native River won last year’s Gold Cup (David Davies/PA)

It is not yet known how long the current shut-down of racing may have to last – but inevitably for thousands of racing followers, and of course those directly involved in the industry, there will be uncomfortable echoes of the foot-and-mouth crises of 1967 and 2001.

On each occasion, the racing calendar was affected for two months – and in 2001, the Cheltenham Festival was abandoned.

A further update on the possible continued extent of disruption is expected from the BHA – with a packed weekend of Cheltenham trials and other big races scheduled at Newbury, Warwick, Musselburgh and in Ireland.

Marathonbet November Handicap Day – Doncaster Racecourse
There will be no racing at Doncaster on Thursday

The governing body’s statement added: “The BHA is presently communicating with yards potentially exposed to ensure appropriate quarantine and biosecurity measures are put in place and horse movements restricted to avoid possible further spread of the disease.

“The full extent of potential exposure is unknown, and we are working quickly to understand as much as we can to assist our decision-making.”

The action to cancel Thursday’s races was taken with unanimous support of the BHA’s industry veterinary committee and will affect meetings at Huntingdon, Doncaster, Ffos Las and Chelmsford.

Racing was, however, set to go ahead in Ireland at Thurles on Thursday.

An update on the track’s official Twitter account read: “Racing goes ahead as planned here today. First race off at 1:15.”

Equine influenza is a highly infectious disease of horses, mules and donkeys. Symptoms in non–immune animals include high fever, coughing and nasal discharge.