Strangles Forces Jennie Candlish to close Yard

Jennie Candlish has closed her horse training yard for an indefinite time after one of her horses tested positive for strangles.

The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) reported that two other horses at the yard are showing symptoms of the contagious respiratory illness. Candlish won’t be allowed to enter horses in races for now.

Strangles affects a horse’s breathing and causes nasal discharge by impacting the lymph nodes in their upper respiratory system. It spreads through direct contact with other horses or contaminated equipment.

alan O’Keeffe, Candlish’s partner, said they are working closely with the BHA and their veterinarians. He stated, “It’s one of those things.”

O’Keeffe explained they haven’t found the source of the infection. The horse that tested positive hasn’t raced in six weeks and has lived at the yard for three years, so it wasn’t a newly arrived horse.

O’Keeffe isn’t sure when the yard will be able to race again,but pointed to the month-long quarantine of trainers Josh Guerriero and Oliver Greenall earlier this year as a possible timeline.

In a statement to trainers on Saturday, the BHA thanked Candlish for quickly taking action, allowing them to respond promptly. They added that the affected horses are receiving treatment in a secure habitat to limit the spread of the illness.

The BHA also advised trainers to remain vigilant and follow biosecurity protocols.