Thumbs up for testing of horses

Horses arriving at the Carmarthenshire meeting at Ffos Las on Sunday were met by a team of British Horseracing Authority (BHA) testers.

Random testing was carried out both before and after races, a move welcomed by Peter Wright, chief executive of the Point-to-Point Authority, who said: “Testing like this shows we are making every effort to run a clean sport. Pre-testing horses when they arrive at the races, before they have run and while they are relaxed, is easier for trainers and their staff.”

Hertfordshire trainer Bradley Gibbs took four horses to the meeting and one was tested before racing. Gibbs said: “Testing is the best thing they can do for the sport to ensure a level playing field. I would be happy if testing was carried out on every horse at every meeting.”

Pre-race testing is not limited to blood samples as hair and/or urine samples may also be collected and analysed. Samples taken at point-to-points are sent to the BHA’s contact laboratory, LGC, said to be one of the world’s premier independent drug surveillance laboratories.

Bridle, chifney, but not headcollars

Trainers and their staff are reminded of the need to equip horses with a bridle or Chifney when walking them around at any time while at point-to-points, including in the lorry park.

Under Regulation 115 (7) fines of up to £50 can be administered by stewards if horses are being led in headcollars, although the cost for damage repairs if a horse breaks loose could prove far higher.

Dorset trainer Stuart Payne says: “It is important that horses are fitted with chifneys or bridles before they are taken off lorries to be walked around. We have all seen horses get loose when fitted with just a headcollar. Fines are tough, but it is important that everyone gets the message.”

A Chifney bit (above) or conventional bridle and bit are required when leading horses at race meetings  **photo  – bitworld.co.uk

Public warned of streaming scam

A social media post claiming that streamed races could be viewed from Dunsmore point-to-point on Saturday afternoon is said to have been a scam.

Those reading the post were invited to click through to make a payment and then view races, but no official streaming was taking place at the course.

The public are advised to ignore unofficial offers to view races via a streaming service. Any hunt or club that plans to stream races will make that clear in the run-up to the meeting via the fixtures’ page of this website.