Login
WATCH FREE
Racing prepares for heatwave with meetings moved
By Racing TV
Last Updated: Mon 22 Jun 2026
The British Horseracing Authority has rescheduled three of the four meetings that had been postponed on Wednesday due to the extremely hot weather forecast across much of the UK this week.
On Monday morning fixtures at Worcester, Salisbury, Kempton and Ffos Las were called off in the interests of safety for the horses and participants.
Later in the afternoon Ffos Las was rearranged for Monday June 29 with Kempton now taking place that evening.
Salisbury has been rescheduled for Tuesday June 30, but the meeting at Worcester has not been given a new date.
The BHA also announced that fixtures at Newmarket and Nottingham on Thursday have been brought forward so they are finished before the hottest part of the day while the two-mile Dereham Handicap at Newmarket will now take place there on Friday.
The BHA’s hot weather policy states that where racecourses fall within a red warning zone, the fixture will be abandoned. In addition, horses must not be travelled from or through areas that have red warnings in place.
Carlisle’s meeting in Cumbria is still scheduled to take place on Wednesday, featuring the historic Carlisle Bell and Cumberland Plate.
Trainer Alex Hales, who had been due to have two runners at Worcester on Wednesday, supported the decision to call off the meeting insisting horse welfare comes first.
“We just have to be sensible. We try to work the horses earlier and get the main bits of work done before the sun really comes up and, with travelling, the lorries have fans in them now to keep the temperatures down,” he said.
“But if the temperatures are getting as high as predicted keeping the horses hydrated with plenty of electrolytes as well is very important.
“We are constantly monitoring the horses and if they are showing signs of getting too hot we would pull them out and get them under the hosepipe and cool them off that way.
“But I think the BHA have been very sensible and the whole industry is sensible with it.”
Related posts
Royal Ascot eye-catchers: horses to follow and a 25-1 tip
Monday tips: Mark Rowntree's three best bets
Jack Dace taken to hospital following Brighton fall
Seamie Heffernan suspended for 14 days and Tony Martin fined €3,000
Big-hitting punter wins £500,000 on O'Brien hotpots
Featured offers
Get a £50 free bet when you bet £50 with Coral
T&Cs Apply
Claim Now
Bet £10 Get £40 in free bets + Money back 2nd to SP fav with BOYLE Sports
T&Cs Apply
Claim Now
Get up to a £25 Bonus + 50 free spins with Genting
T&Cs Apply
Claim Now
Bet £10 get £30 in Free Bets with TalkSportBet
T&Cs Apply
Claim Now
Copyright 2026 Racing TV - All Rights Reserved.
Please bet responsibly
Copyright 2026. All rights reserved