BRISBANE – Australia’s famous Birdsville Races in Queensland will not go ahead this weekend due to an outbreak of equine influenza which has brought Australia’s horse racing industry to a halt.
It’s believed to be the first time in their 125-year history that the races, held in the tiny outback Queensland town of Birsdville, have been cancelled.
Queensland Racing Minister Andrew Fraser said the decision had been taken after “the risk has been assessed, based on the best advice from the veterinary surgeons … (as) unacceptable”.
“To risk an outbreak of the equine flu transferring across the thoroughbred racing industry would be devastating.
“So that means racing won’t be occurring anywhere around Queensland, including Birdsville, this weekend.”
