Olympic Legacy To Cool Horses At York Racecourse

As memories of the golden summer of 2012 combine with a glorious one this year, York Racecourse has taken advantage of an Olympic legacy to help cool the runners at the two day John’s Smith Cup Meeting on Friday 12 July and Saturday 13 July.

With temperatures forecast to be nudging 25°c, York Racecourse contacted British Eventing to secure the use of the “water misting fans” that played a key part in equine welfare during the London Games.

The six units combine a fan and water supply to produce a wall of cooling mist that a horse simply walks through. They will be set up on the Knavesmire near to where the thoroughbreds will pull up.

Originally developed by vets and animal welfare groups ahead of the Atlanta Games this is the first time that the system has been used at UK flat track.

Commenting on the idea, Anthea Morshead, Assistant Clerk of the Course said; “I noticed the system in operation at Greenwich Park last summer and with this current hot spell, I thought it could prove just the ticket. I contacted Chris Farr from British Eventing and he was pleased to help - as we both agreed, anything that offers additional horse welfare can only be a good thing.”

The water mist fans will form part of a wider warm weather plan for horses, riders and racegoers at the traditional July highlight of the York season. 

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