No piroplasmosis test required for horses at Keeneland's January sale

Kentucky’s Department of Agriculture has waived the equine piroplasmosis testing requirement for horses entered in Keeneland’s Jan. 10-14 all-ages auction.

This means horses can ship to Keeneland for the test without being tested for equine piroplasmosis, but racing-age prospects or runners that ship to any Kentucky racetrack after purchase at the auction must have proof of a negative equine piroplasmosis test before they will be allowed to enter that racetrack.

Equine piroplasmosis is a tick-borne disease that can cause anemia, fever, abdominal swelling, and other problems in its acute phase. It can be fatal, but some infected horses show no symptoms or decreased performance.

The Keeneland January auction will take place at the racetrack’s sale pavilion starting at 10 a.m. each day. The catalog features 1,827 horses, including Grade 1 winners Ave, Wickedly Perfect, and Negligee.