Laboratory tests confirmed that nine horses in Florida have contracted equine
herpesvirus (EHV-1), according to an update from the Florida Department of
Agriculture on Monday. Seven cases have occurred in the area of Wellington,
Florida, where the outbreak first began two weeks ago at the local show grounds.
One horse in Ocala has tested positive, as has another in Indiantown.
Five deaths have been attributed to EHV-1, but of those, only two have been
confirmed by tests.
The barn area at the Payson Park training center in Indiantown was
quarantined Saturday following the death of a Thoroughbred on Friday, according
to the Daily Racing Form. Mark Fagan, a spokesman for the Florida
Department of Agriculture, confirmed that the deceased horse was trained by John
Hennig.
Nine other premises are also under quarantine — seven in the Wellington
area, one in Ocala and one in Jupiter. Of the 10 quarantine sites, eight have
confirmed EHV-1 cases and two have suspect neurologic cases.
Payson Park is a private training center with some top stables. Bill Mott,
Christophe Clement, Tom Albertrani and John Kimmel are among the conditioners
with horses on the grounds. Global powerhouse Godolphin also has horses at
Payson, led by undefeated superstar Discreet Cat (Forestry).
It is not known how long the quarantine will be in effect or how it will
affect the upcoming Gulfstream Park meet, which begins on January 3. Calder and
Tampa Bay Downs, which are both currently racing, announced precautionary
measures last week in response to the EHV-1 outbreak in Florida.