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All NSW horses to be vaccinated

At a meeting on Monday Racing NSW CEO Peter V'Landys and Australian Racing Board chief executive Andrew Harding addressed Primary Industries ministers from each state and territory, the federal Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Peter McGauran, and the director-generals of all state and federal Primary Industries departments on the need for a national mass vaccination strategy. The outcome of the meeting was that it was decided to allow vaccination of thoroughbreds to resume in ...

EI virus escapes into NSW green zone

Two horses have been confirmed positive for equine influenza on a property at Barmedman in the previously disease-free green zone. NSW deputy Chief Veterinary Officer Steve Dunn said staff were investigating the exact cause of the isolated outbreak, and any possibility of disease spread. "This property is located between West Wyalong and Temora, and about 40 km from the boundary of the amber zone," Mr Dunn said. "The horse owners in this case took early action by reporting their sick anima...

Main Rosehill stables 'well infected' with mild EI

Rosehill trainer Chris Waller reported to his clients on Monday morning that his main stable 'is now well infected with equine influenza (EI).' However, Waller also said that impact of the virus is less than those horses infected at Randwick and Warwick Farm. "The symptoms appears slightly different to the Randwick and Warwick Farm horses which is leading me to believe that the vaccinations our horses received nine days ago could be lessening the effect of the virus," said Waller. "On Satu...

Rios scores for the Ormonds

Arthur Ormond figured a good family full of filly foals had a better chance than most of succeeding when he and some partners bought Gussy Godiva as a yearling in 2000. Their judgment is looking to be very sound after Gussy Godiva's first foal Rios comfortably won the Bonecrusher Stakes (Listed-1400m) at Ellerslie on Saturday. Gussy Godiva is a daughter of Sam Kelt's mare Sneetch, the third-highest rated filly in New Zealand in 1994-95 after winning the Ladies Mile (G3-1600m) and running third...

EI vaccination programme in full swing

The equine influenza (EI) vaccination programmes of the eastern states of Australia are in full swing in NSW and Queensland, and about to commence in Victoria after frustrating delays in clearing the vaccine for use on Friday. In NSW Racing NSW stewards and a team of vets immediately commenced vaccination late on Friday, after the EI Proteqflu vaccine from France that arrived on Thursday night, was released. Around 2500 horses have been vaccinated at Sydney's Rosehill stables, and racing st...

Hawke's Bay breeders Murray and Jo Andersen are having some fun!

"Racing is about having fun". That seems to be the mantra of Hawke's Bay breeders Murray and Jo Andersen and the members of the Transtasman Syndicate that race It's A Dundeel (High Chaparral [IRE] – Stareel), the recent winner of the ATC Gloaming Stakes (Gr 3) at Randwick. And the members of the syndicate who were present in Sydney when he won that event, his fourth from four starts, certainly had quite a bit of fun. "He is a pretty exciting horse. We were delighted with his performance, and...

No racing in Brisbane until February 2008

Queensland Racing Ltd The Chairman of Queensland Racing Limited (QRL) on Tuesday took the drastic step of suspending racing in the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (DPI&F) red zone of South East Queensland following the confirmed equine influenza (EI) outbreak in the Eagle Farm and Doomben precinct and six unconfirmed cases in the Deagon precinct. Subject to no further EI outbreaks in the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast and Toowoomba precincts and that vaccination takes place in...

Doomben and Eagle Farm locked down after EI positives

Queensland Racing Limited (QRL) on Monday received advice from the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (DPI&F) that initial samples taken from horses trained at Doomben and stabled at Hendra have returned positive to equine influenza (EI). Confirmative tests are underway and confirmation or otherwise is expected today. QRL Chief Operations Manager, Malcolm Tuttle said, "If indeed our worst fears are realised this will be a considerable setback for thoroughbred racing in Queens...

Main EI virus carriers have been people

As has been suspected by industry officials the movement of people within the horse industry had become a key factor in the spread of equine influenza (EI), a leading NSW government veterinary officer said on Monday. "The horse stand still has worked very, very well," NSW Department of Primary Industries chief vet Bruce Christie said. "[With] this concern about people movement, bio-security, making sure people change their clothes, washing their hair … it's become more and more obvious tha...

150,000 vials of EI vaccination to be imported

150,000 vials of equine influenza vaccine are now going to be imported from France to systematically vaccinate the thoroughbred and sport horse populations of NSW, Queensland and Victoria. Racing NSW chief executive Peter V'Landys said that he considered that there will 'enough vaccine to go around' between the individual states and their respective demands. Initially 1000 vials of vaccine will be used on horses likely to race in the 2007 Victorian Spring Racing Carnival before vaccination i...

EQUINE INFLUENZA VACCINATION - THE ONGOING DEBATE

The use and timing of vaccination in an Equine Influenza (EI) outbreak is always going to be a contentious issue. There are strong arguments both for and against vaccination and our decisions around vaccine use need to be constantly under review. With today's news that Australia is to import vaccine for use in "buffer zones" around EI hotspots we can expect another round of discussion and opinion on the merits of vaccination. Vaccines are developed to trigger immunity against a specific infect...

First Group Winner for Ustinov

Top Australian filly Antarctic Miss gave New Zealand's horse community a further reminder how fortunate they were that Jeff McVean chose this country as the place he wanted to live. The former Australian Olympic equestrian rider has made his mark in many ways since his arrival in 1989. His management of New Zealand equestrian teams and the performances of his daughter Katie in that sport have been notable by themselves, and along the way he's trained a New Zealand Derby winner, Leica Guv. Bu...

Purple zone operating Friday and industry plans for sales and racing dates 20 Sep 2007

With the opening of the Hunter Valley purple zone on Friday for horse movement within the zone to allow the 2007 breeding season to begin in earnest the industry is now addressing flow on affects from the equine influenza (EI) crisis into 2008. Racing officials and thoroughbred sales companies are meeting on Friday to try and decide on appropriate dates for the 2008 yearling sales schedule, and the major race meetings for autumn. With crucial Hunter Valley yearlings unable to be sales preppe...

Daily News Items from Australia

19 September 2007 50,000 Vaccinations To Be Imported Racing NSW chief executive Peter V'Landy's announced government officials are about to sanction the importing of 50,000 equine influenza vaccinations to enable a major vaccination process. V'Landys told Radio Sport 927: "There are 26,000 thoroughbreds in NSW, but we will not have to worry about the horses at Randwick as they have had the virus." (Sep 19) Large Fines For Not Reporting Sick Horses NSW Department Of Primary Industries deputy...

Summary of Equine Influenza outbreak in JRA facilities

Re: Equine Influenza outbreak in JRA facilities (Interim Report) Preface: This document contains information on the Equine Influenza outbreak in Japan but limited to those in the JRA facilities. It is intended to provide up to date information on the development and measures taken by JRA since the initial EI case was found on 15 August. Epidemiological research is still ongoing and technical information and analysis will be made available to the International Movement of Horses Committee at ...

Update: Stallions may be released to purple zone - Purple zone approval expected within 48 hours

Update: 10.30am Wednesday September 19th - There are reports that stallions may be allowed to leave Eastern Creek quarantine facility in west Syndey to serve in the Hunter Valley 'purple zone' by the end of the week. Further informaiton will be published as soon as it become available from authorities. The announcement on the establishment of the purple zone is expected on Wednesday afternoon. Earlier report: The establishment of the 'purple zone' in the breeding area of the Hunter Valley, N...

2007 Equine Influenza Response Remains on Track

National Management Group: Equine Influenza COMMUNIQUE NMGEI07/02 13 September 2007 Equine Influenza Response Remains on Track The National Management Group (NMG) addressing the Equine Influenza outbreak has re-affirmed its view that equine influenza can be contained with a view to eradication, with current control measures remaining effective. The group has asked its scientific and technical advisory body, the Consultative Committee on Emergency Animal Disease (CCEAD), to develop scena...

Onawe Miller flys the Southland flag

Onawe Miller is convinced that Southland is as good as anywhere in New Zealand to breed a horse. Outstanding horsemen such as Bill Hazlett and the Dennis Brothers have proven the worth of the Southland breed over the years, and Miller added to her own commendable record on Saturday when Orange County earned his first black type win in the Sofitel Stakes (Listed-1400m) at Flemington. Southland has an image for many New Zealanders of being cold and with inhospitable winters, but Miller says th...

PROTECTING US FROM EQUINE INFLUENZA

Equine Influenza is a highly contagious viral disease of all equidae ( ie horses, donkeys, mules and zebra) and with the outbreak in Australia it is right on our doorstep. What can we do to reduce the risk of it coming to New Zealand other than via infected horses? Current knowledge indicates the virus can survive away from infected horses for varying lengths of time depending on the degree of contamination and environmental factors such as the surface (porous or non-porous), humidity, tempera...

Horse standstill in NSW is working

The ongoing horse standstill in NSW is working and has dramatically slowed the spread of equine influenza (EI) according to the NSW chief veterinary officer, Bruce Christie. "EI is confirmed on 401 properties but most are contained within a band that runs from Sydney and its surrounds to the Central Coast, the Hunter Valley and the north west of the State," Mr Christie said. "There has been only one outlying spot outbreak in the last four days – which is excellent news." Vast areas of NSW r...

AUSTRALIAN EI OUTBREAK: Event Timeline

The NZTBA is tracking key events in Australia and New Zealand as the Australian outbreak of equine influenza unfolds: Thursday 6 September 2007 There are currently 186 infected properties, 353 dangerous contact properties, and 160 suspect properties. Wednesday 5 September 2007 There are currently still 146 declared infected properties however that number is expected to rise again tomorrow with more properties currently to be confirmed. There are 356 properties with 2685 horses identified a...

AUSTRALIAN EI OUTBREAK: Latest ICC Report

As a member of the International Breeders' Meeting, the NZTBA receives regular reports from the International Collating Centre (ICC), which monitors equine disease outbreaks around the world. These reports are distributed by the UK Animal Health Trust's Information Exchange on Infectious Equine Disease. The following is the August report received by the ICC from Australia: 1. Key Points Equine Influenza (EI) was first detected at Eastern Creek Quarantine Station (ECQS), Sydney, New South Wales ...

EQUINE INFLUENZA: Latest Update from NZEHA

Bruce Graham, chairman of the New Zealand Equine Health Association, has compiled these key points from the Association's meeting today with MAF Biosecurity New Zealand: New Zealand's suspension on horse imports from Australia remains in place. There is currently no evidence of equine influenza in New Zealand. MAF Biosecurity New Zealand has identified and traced 97 horses imported from Australia since the beginning of August. These horses are located on 53 properties. All horses that h...

EQUINE INFLUENZA: No evidence of EI in New Zealand

There is currently no evidence of equine influenza in New Zealand. MAF Biosecurity New Zealand (MAFBNZ) is growing more confident that the virus has not arrived in the country as investigations into the 97 horses imported from Australia progress and time passes. MAFBNZ yesterday completed blood sampling of all horses classified as high priority. Sampling of remaining properties will be completed by the end of the week. No clinical signs of equine influenza have been found in eith...

Another great year for Sir Patrick and Lady Hogan

It's been another good season for Sir Patrick and Lady Hogan, enough to earn them another breeder of the year nomination – though it's hard to remember a season that wasn't a good one for the four-time award winners. The Cambridge Stud owners bred six black type winners in 2006-07 – four by themselves, one in partnership with Graham de Gruchy and one in partnership with Arthur Kelly. "It's been a year where our horses have been very competitive, from Able One winning a group one in Hong ...