The australian horse flu epidemic??

Question

right, umm. the horse flu is pretty serious over here. There is a ban on moving horses, and the spring racing carnival is in threat of being cancelled. The melbourne cup, cancelled (think like, the biggest horse race in america- thats what the cup is in australia!) You can't import or export horses, and only the horses already in melborne and victoria are allowed 2 race, if it goes ahead. This seriously narrows the field, and many horSes will be out of condition, because they can't get 2 the track 2 train. What is the possible impact in the worldwide racing industry, and the gambling. (btw, the melbourne cup is the most betted on race in australia!)

Answer 1

At the moment the Melbourne Cup is not under threat as the flu has not spread to Victoria.  It is currently in Queensland and New South Wales.  There are only movement restrictions on horses in these areas, so it is perfectly possible for someone to fly a horse into Victoria from another country - as Luca Cumani and Aiden O'Brien intend to do.

To be honest I don't think there will be a huge effect on the worldwide industry, but it is a huge blow for the Australians.  The biggest problem you are facing at the moment is the sheer number of stallions that are either still in lockdown in quarantine or are being flown out of the country at the next available opportunity.  This is going to impact on the number of foals being born next year, which in turn will affect the yearling sales in two years time and then racing in three years time.

If those stallions that are staying in AUS for the breeding season get caught up for a few months it will also have an affect on the northern hemisphere breeding season as those boys need to be back here to start covering our mares in February!