Pre-race trot ups rolled out further this summer
A message from the BHA
We want to again thank trainers and your teams for continued co-operation as we roll-out all card trot ups and enhanced pre-race checks at selected Flat meetings.
Please note that these are scheduled to take place at the following fixtures:
- Ascot, King George Weekend, Friday 28 and Saturday 29 July
- Goodwood, Glorious Festival, Tuesday 1 – Saturday 5 August 2023
- Wolverhampton: Thursday 17 August
- York: Wednesday 23 – Saturday 26 August
- Wolverhampton: Friday 1 September
- Doncaster: Thursday 14 – Sunday 17 September
- Chester: Saturday 30 September
- Bath: Monday 2 October
- Kempton: Wednesday 18 October
A reminder that prior to racing, all runners in all races at these fixtures will receive:
- A cardiac assessment using a stethoscope
- A trot up over approximately 25 metres, with the horse asked to trot up and back in a straight line on a firm surface
- An examination of the limbs by palpation.
These are standard methods of pre-race checks, which have been used in Flat and Jump racing for many years, and will always be performed by BHA Veterinary Officers in the racecourse stable area.
Their aim is to help ensure that all horses are lining up in the best possible health following their journey to the racecourse – providing an additional layer of protection and further reducing the risk of avoidable injury.
The process has worked well so far, with approximately 800 horses examined – including during all five days of Royal Ascot – and just two withdrawn on veterinary advice.
This has been helped by trainers getting in touch with the BHA in advance of raceday to notify our Veterinary Officers about any horses that might be described as “poor movers” or having an “asymmetrical gait”.
The easiest and quickest way to do this is by emailing: [email protected].
By contacting the BHA in advance, it enables us to discuss the individual circumstances with you and your veterinary surgeons and consider any additional information to support a horse’s suitability to race.
As noted in previous communications, the phased introduction of Flat trot ups and enhanced examinations has enabled us to work closely with you and your teams, so that we can continually review and refine the process.
If you have any questions or feedback, please do let us know. And thank you again for your ongoing assistance.