California tracks put shipping restrictions in place due to herpesvirus outbreak in show horses

An outbreak of equine herpes myeloencephalopthy on the California show horse circuit has led the parent company of Golden Gate Fields and Santa Anita and the San Luis Rey Downs training center to enact a restricted horse transport policy for a two-week period beginning Friday.

According to a statement released by Santa Anita on Friday, the state’s department of food and agriculture has recommended a 14-day suspension of equine events because of the EHM outbreak in show horses.

The illness can rapidly spread among horses through direct and indirect contact.

The statement indicated that horse racing is not included in the state agency’s recommendation, nor have positives been detected in horses based at facilities owned by 1/ST racing, which was formerly known as The Stronach Group.

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Under the restricted shipping policy, horses can be transported between Golden Gate Fields, Los Alamitos, Santa Anita, and the San Luis Rey Downs training center “provided they meet all other shipping requirements,” the statement said.

Horses can be transferred to a farm or another state, and horses can be sent to the company’s California facilities with “proper health certification documentation.”

Van companies must disinfect vehicles after each trip and cannot stop at “outside facilities” between journeys to venues that are regulated by the California Horse Racing Board.