Race cancelled due to possible horse sickness

Today's planned race meet at Kenilworth racecourse in Cape Town has been cancelled, Gold Circle Racing said.

Gill Simpkins, a Gold Circle spokesperson, said results from preliminary tests by state veterinary authorities have shown that recent deaths of horses in the Western Cape were not due to African horse sickness, but further tests were planned.

"They have asked us to cancel today's meet while they wait for the further test results," she said.

Further results are expected tomorrow afternoon.

Veterinary authorities banned the transporting of horses in the Western Cape due to the possible outbreak of African horse sickness.

Kenilworth racecourse lies within the quarantine area and today's planned race meet was the second to be cancelled. Saturday's racing was also abandoned. - Sapa