Strangles outbreak shuts New Plymouth Training Facility

A new strangles outbreak in the New Plymouth area has forced the closure of the New Plymouth Training Facility.

New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) has warned trainers whose horses have been involved in races, trials or other campaigns in the Central Districts during the past three weeks to take precautions against further spread.

The facility will remain closed while the outbreak is managed, and the Racing Integrity Board (RIB) has notified affected trainers. The two bodies are gathering information and discussing whether additional measures are needed to manage the current cases and limit transmission.

All trainers have been asked to “take and record horses’ temperatures twice daily, remaining alert for elevated temperatures or other signs of illness, including nasal discharge, coughing, swollen lymph nodes or reduced appetite”.

The earlier 2026 cases had been confined to Waikato with a late-July count of 14 affected properties. At that point, 557 Serum Amyloid A tests conducted across 18 race and trial meetings had produced 13 elevated results, or 2.3 per cent.

Strangles has an incubation period of three to 14 days. Some horses become carriers that show no symptoms yet can shed the bacteria for weeks to months.