Racing: Ban stays on all-weather jump racing

THE HALT called to jumping on all-weather tracks is to be continued indefinitely. This is the outcome of an investigation set up by the British Horseracing Board in February following a significant increase in horse fatalities and injuries during hurdle races on artificial surfaces.

The 22-member All Weather Track Jump Investigative Group group completed their inquiries yesterday. After a meeting at Portman Square, London, it was announced that the group had found evidence to suggest that a combination of various factors led to an unacceptably high number of fatalities.

They will recommend to the BHB that while this combination of factors continues to exist, all-weather jumps racing should be discontinued. This policy should be adopted when the BHB meets next Tuesday.