Racehorses Evacuated From La Teste de Buch

[Wandering Eyes]

As parts of Europe continue to be subjected to record temperatures, the large forest fire raging in the Gironde region of south-west France has forced the evacuation of all 370 horses in training at La Teste de Buch racecourse. Though the fire is several kilometres from the track and training centre, the horses have been moved to racecourses in Bordeaux and Mont de Marsan, while others have been given refuge at Haras de Saubouas, largely to protect them from inhaling toxic fumes from the blaze which has destroyed campsites and woodland across more than 45,000 acres along the Atlantic coast.
Celine Bobacher, communications manager for La Teste de Buch racecourse, told Jour de Galop, “The fire advanced so quickly and is now close to the racecourse. The strong fumes became a concern. The surrounding neighbourhoods have also been evacuated.”
With five race meetings having been cancelled in England on Monday and Tuesday following the British government's issuing of an extreme heat warning, racing has also been disrupted at some French tracks. Race times during Vichy's week-long festival have been adjusted to avoid racing during the hottest part of the day.
Trainers and their teams in parts of Britain where the temperature has been approaching 40 Celsius over the last two days have been exercising horses as early as 3.30am in order to beat the heat.

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