Hope for racing resumption on Friday once heatwave eases
GREYHOUND racing continues to adapt and react to the on-going heatwave with the latest alteration seeing Valley switch a planned Thursday evening meeting to Saturday morning.
The Met Office has extended its extreme heat warning into Friday for areas in the south of England with decisions about fixtures on that day to be made on Thursday when the position becomes clearer, although racing is set to resume with Star Pelaw in particular well outside the Met Office's highlighted area.
It is expected that the heatwave will ease over the weekend with the schedule returning to normal.
With the record UK June temperature of 35.6°C expected to be broken this week and a rare Met Office Red Extreme Heat Warning in place, there was no racing on Wednesday and Thursday will now also be blank following the Valley switch.
Greyhound Racing Ireland is also constantly reviewing the situation, issuing a statement: Rásaíocht Con Éireann convened this afternoon [Tuesday] to review the ongoing warm weather conditions and the anticipated impact on racing and trial schedules nationwide.
“Having carefully considered the welfare and well-being of racing greyhounds, and in consultation with Met Éireann forecasts, including current Yellow Weather Warnings, RCÉ has determined the following:
“All racing activity across the country, including both public and private trials, is suspended with immediate effect from today and will remain in place until Friday 26th June.
“A further review meeting will be held on the evening of Thursday 25th June, at which time the latest weather forecasts will be assessed in order to determine the position for Friday and the days beyond.
“RCÉ will continue to prioritise the safety and welfare of greyhounds and will issue further updates as appropriate.”
Richard Brankley, Head of Greyhound Operations for SIS, said: “We have been working with our track partners in the UK and Ireland to amend this week’s racing schedule in light of the predicted high temperatures and we will of course continue to closely monitor developments.”
The GBGB has a policy in place to cover such circumstances and Veterinary Executive Tiffany Blackett said: “With high temperatures predicted this week, particularly in the south, we have already received several notifications of race cancellations in line with GBGB’s Hot Weather Policy.
“All tracks are implementing measures to safeguard the health and wellbeing of greyhounds during this period of hot weather and we are very grateful for their proactive approach – particularly the early communication of cancellations, which helps ensure trainers do not make unnecessary journeys and can focus on keeping their dogs cool at home at their residential kennels.
“We remain in close liaison with racecourses to ensure they are fully prepared for the peak temperatures expected in the coming days and that they continue to meet all Policy requirements.”