Barn quarantined at Churchill after horse displays possible symptoms of equine herpesvirus

Churchill Downs has placed a barn on its backstretch under quarantine after a horse began displaying potential symptoms of equine herpesvirus on Tuesday morning, according to the track’s equine medical director.

The horse was shipped to a veterinary clinic after showing signs of “ataxia and neurological distress,” according to Dr. Will Farmer, who oversees equine health and welfare at Churchill’s tracks. Although Farmer said that tests on the horse have not yet been completed, those are two of the primary symptoms of equine herpesvirus, a highly contagious disease.

For the time being, the barn where the horse was stabled has been placed under quarantine, and the other 13 horses in the barn will be monitored around-the-clock for possible symptoms, Farmer said. The quarantined horses are scheduled to be tested on Wednesday for the virus, Farmer said.

Horses are being allowed to enter and exit the backstretch at Churchill while the barn is under quarantine, Farmer said, though no horses will be allowed to interact with any of the horses in the affected barn.

:: Bet the races with a $200 First Deposit Match and FREE Formulator PPs! Join DRF Bets.

Still, some tracks have already put precautions in place. The Maryland Jockey Club, which is currently operating a live race meet at Laurel Park, sent an alert to horsemen on Tuesday afternoon saying that it would not accept horses from Churchill at either Laurel or its sister track in Baltimore, Pimlico, “until further notice.”

Churchill wrapped up its fall meet last weekend, and many horses on the backstretch have already shipped south to Fair Grounds in Louisiana and Gulfstream Park in Florida. Live racing begins on the Kentucky circuit on Wednesday night at Turfway Park in Northern Kentucky, a track owned by Churchill.

:: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.