A Newmarket trainer says there is “no obvious connection” between the horses that have tested positive for equine flu at his yard and their stablemate who ran at a potential risk fixture last week.

East Anglian Daily Times: Trainer Simon Crisford Picture: MIKE EGERTON/PA WIRETrainer Simon Crisford Picture: MIKE EGERTON/PA WIRE (Image: PA Wire)

The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) announced last night that four more cases of equine flu had been found at Simon Crisford’s Newmarket yard after an outbreak of the illness was confirmed last Wednesday.

Six horses at Donald McCain’s Cheshire yard were the only confirmed cases until the BHA announced Crisford’s Suffolk yard was also affected.

Mr Crisford’s was one of the 174 stables to be placed in lockdown – because he had a runner at Newcastle last Tuesday – after which trainer Rebecca Menzies, who had also had runners at the meeting, reported a “suspicious” case.

Menzies’ horses have subsequently returned negative results for equine flu, while Mr Crisford confirmed his Newcastle runner, Sajanjl, is also clear of the virus.

East Anglian Daily Times: An outbreak of equine flu has forced the cancellation of all British racing Picture: JOE GIDDENS/PA WIREAn outbreak of equine flu has forced the cancellation of all British racing Picture: JOE GIDDENS/PA WIRE (Image: PA Wire)

MORE: Four more cases of equine flu found at Suffolk yardThere has been no racing in Britain since last Wednesday, with the BHA putting an immediate pause on the sport after the first cases were confirmed.

An estimated 1,500 tests have been processed by the Animal Health Trust over the weekend, with the BHA due to make a decision on Monday evening on whether racing can resume on Wednesday.

In a statement, Mr Crisford, former long-standing racing manager to Godolphin, said: “None of the four horses that have returned positive tests for equine influenza displayed any clinical signs of respiratory illness, including nasal discharge and elevated temperatures, prior to the mandatory swabbing that was undertaken last Friday, February 8.

“The swabbing occurred following Sajanjl’s race at Newcastle last Tuesday, February 5, and she has tested negative. There is no obvious connection between Sajanjl and the four identified horses.

“All horses at Kremlin House Stables, totalling 92 boxes, undergo a strict vaccination check and programme on their arrival.

“All four identified horses have been vaccinated within the last six months along with the rest of the yard and in line with vaccination protocol.”

MORE: Outbreak of equine flu cancels racing