A decision on whether one of the country’s premier horse-racing events, the J&B Met at Kenilworth in Cape Town, will go ahead, will be made on Monday.
Regional manager of Gold Circle racing Brian Berrill said on Thursday: ”The regional board of directors meets on Monday in Cape Town to properly assess reports of veterinary surgeons regarding the inoculation and monitoring of sick horses.”
Horse racing in the Western Cape and other parts of the country has been thrown into disarray following an outbreak of horse flu, first detected at the Milnerton training centre.
Berrill said there has been a lot of conjecture as to the possible postponement of the Met, which carries a total purse of R1,5-million.
He said Monday’s meeting will decide on when racing could continue in the region, and once a decision is made discussions will be held with all affected major sponsors of horse racing in the Western Cape.
”The board will have to acknowledge the vets’ decisions … It could be a day, a week or 10 years,” said Berrill.
Berrill said the Cape season starts in December and ends in February, carrying about R17-million-worth of stakes for disbursement. — Sapa