Due to the recent outbreak of equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, the Thoroughbred breeding farm Park Stud in Orangeville, Ontario, has decided to conclude the 2013 breeding season for its stallions.

There has been no detection of the virus at Park Stud, which is something the farm wants to continue to prevent in part by closing the breeding shed a little earlier than usual.

"It was a difficult decision, as we have always tried to accommodate our clients in any way we can," said Park Stud’s Warren Byrne. "While the EHV-1 virus has not been detected at Park Stud, the mere threat of the virus miles away at Woodbine, and the fact that it is so easily transmittable, poses too much risk to the stallions, the horses residing on the farm, and our clients’ mares. We would like to thank all of the breeders who bred with us in 2013. We had a truly amazing season and will look forward to 2014."

The Ontario Racing Commission (ORC) announced June 12 that there have been five confirmed reports of the neurologic EHV-1 in Thoroughbreds residing in Barn 1 at Woodbine. In a notice to the industry, the ORC reported that one horse was euthanized on June 10 after becoming recumbent with a fever. A second horse in the same barn also had a fever and showed neurologic signs; that horse was transported to the Ontario Veterinary College for evaluation and treatment, the notice said