Racing in Hot Weather Guidelines  

Applicable to all racing participants, racing officials and contractors.

Date issued: 8 March 2024 (revised 17 July 2026)

1. BACKGROUND

1.1  Overview

These Racing Victoria (RV) Racing in Hot Weather Guidelines are in place to protect the safety of horses, employees, jockeys and industry participants during periods of hot weather. 

2. SCOPE

RV’s Racing in Hot Weather Procedure further details how RV will manage the safety and welfare of its employees, racing participants and racehorses during periods of hot weather experienced at race meetings and official trials. The controls outlined in the procedure aim at reducing the heat related risks present during hot weather and provide guidance on race meeting scheduling and/ or abandonment in specific circumstances. This procedure applies to all RV employees and RV contractors engaged at a race meeting or official trials, and racing participants including jockeys and horses.

3. DEFINITIONS

Ambient Temperature is the temperature of the surrounding environment. It is used in weather reports and is globally understood to describe the temperate of a given day (cold, hot, dry days). The ambient temperature on its own does not provide a basis for assessing the potential of heat exposure as there are numerous factors which contribute to this.

Catastrophic Fire Danger Day is where the predicted level of grass and bush fire danger is catastrophic. Catastrophic Fire Danger Days are declared no later than 1pm on the day prior to the forecast ‘catastrophic’ conditions. This information will be available on the Country Fire Authority, Bureau of Meteorology or VicEmergency Websites.

Exertional Heat Illness (EHI) (Horses) is induced by physical activity performed typically, but not always, in hot or humid environments. It is a syndrome that occurs when metabolic heat production exceeds the rate at which it can be dissipated. Core body temperature rises, causing hyperthermia and central nervous system dysfunction.

The occurrence of a case of equine EHI during a race meeting is a sign that the weather conditions may be unsuitable for racing. Individual horse factors must be taken into account; for example, are there any factors such as pre-existing conditions or other circumstances that may have contributed.

The following reporting terminology will be used to assess and communicate levels of EHI:

Heat Illness (Human) means the risk of heat illness arising when the body is unable to dissipate heat by evaporation and the body’s core temperature rises as a result. The following are typical symptoms of heat illness:

• Light headache, dizziness;
• Nausea;
• Obvious fatigue;
• Cessation of sweating;
• Obvious loss of skill and coordination/clumsiness or unsteadiness;
• Confusion;
• Aggressive or irrational behaviour;
• Altered consciousness;
• Collapse;
• Ashen pale grey skin.

Heat illness presents as heat exhaustion or heat stroke, with heat exhaustion being the more common work related illness.

Extra caution needs to be taken during heat waves, unusually hot days or during periods of high humidity, particularly where employees and participants lack time to acclimatise to the conditions.

Heat Exhaustion (Human) a mild form of heat illness can occur after being exposed to high heat. Symptoms may include heavy sweating and a rapid pulse as a result of the body overheating. This is often accompanied by dehydration.

Heat Stroke (Human) is the most serious form of heat illness and is considered a medical emergency. Symptoms include altered mental function, loss of consciousness or collapse. During work anyone showing signs of confusion, loss of skill, loss of coordination or irrational behaviour should be stopped immediately as heat stroke can be life threatening.

Humidity is the amount of water vapour in the air. Water vapour is the gaseous state of water and is invisible. Humidity is usually deemed high (gives the feeling of being very damp, stuffy, or sweltering when coupled with high temperature) or low (the air is dry). Higher humidity reduces the effectiveness of sweating which cools the body by reducing the rate of evaporation of moisture from the skin.

Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) is used to accurately assess the risk of physical exertion in hot weather conditions. The WBGT measurement has been developed and is widely used in human sports, the military and in equine sports.

The WBGT system measures ambient temperature, radiant heat, humidity, and air movement (breeze) to calculate a safety index for physical exertion. If a risk of Heat Illness (Horse or Human) is identified, control measures need to be put in place.

RV routinely measures the WBGT at racecourses on hot days and applies the following scientifically validated scale for assessing the safety of racing.

4. GUIDELINE

4.1 Background

The safety of personnel and horses are most likely to be compromised when both the ambient temperature and relative humidity are high, and wind speeds are low or absent. A day with high ambient temperatures, low humidity and a breeze is generally not a particularly high-risk day but a warm day with very high humidity and no breeze may well be high risk day. Horses cool themselves efficiently by evaporative cooling, but high ambient temperature and high humidity will slow the rate of transfer of heat from the horse’s body to the environment.

Thoroughbred races are conducted over relatively short distances, so maximal exertion in the heat only occurs for a short period. The amount of heat generated, and body water lost is relatively low compared to many other horse sports. Nonetheless, the issue is a very serious one, and the welfare of all participants, including the horses, is the first priority.

It should be noted that equine heat stress can occasionally be seen during the cooler months, especially in spring when the days can be quite warm, but horses might still be carrying a winter coat, are trained in the cooler hours of the morning, and may not have adapted to the warmer daytime temperatures.

4.2 Planning

RV’s Racing Operations Department monitors weather conditions at locations of upcoming race meetings and official trials. The relevant Racing Club is notified of the requirements that should be in place to mitigate the impact of hot weather conditions. If high risk conditions are identified the Racing Operations Department, in consultation with the Veterinary Services Department, Stewards and, the relevant Racing Club, will give consideration to modifying, transferring, or abandoning the race meeting or official trials.

4.3 Monitoring Weather Conditions 

At racedays or at an official trial, regular measurements of the ambient temperature and WBGT are made. Qualified raceday medical staff are also in attendance to monitor participant welfare factors. RV’s Racing Operations Department are responsible for monitoring forecast weather conditions at locations of upcoming race meetings and official trials. Planning for racing in hot weather will be based on the ambient temperature forecast. 

The standard temperature measurement in degrees Celsius is simply air temperature, measured by a dry bulb thermometer and does not provide a basis for fully assessing the potential risks from heat exposure. A day with high air temperatures, low humidity and a breeze is generally not a particularly high-risk day but a warm day with very high humidity and no breeze may well be high risk day.

Official Raceday Veterinarians are very experienced in assessing the risks of heat stress and monitor the weather conditions and the recovery of horses carefully during race days.

4.4 Decision Making on Racedays or at Official Trials

If high risk conditions are identified the Stewards will give serious consideration to delaying or abandoning the race meeting or official trial.

5. REVIEW AND APPROVAL 

These Guidelines are reviewed every two years and as required. This may occur due to a change of operation, new legislative obligation, government recommendations or recommendations as a result of audits. 

Where revisions are required, changes will be tracked in red for review by the relevant Senior Management Team member, and for recommendation to the Executive General Manager or relevant Racing Victoria Committee for approval. 

If approved, a tracked, clean (both in Word) and PDF copy of the Guideline be will saved, and then sent to Compliance. A copy may also be provided to People & Culture for uploading onto Racing Victoria’s intranet (the Stable).

Any changes to the Guideline is noted in the “version” table at section 4 below.

6. VERSION