Investigation continues at Newbury as cable is removed

Investigations continue at Newbury

As racing continued to come to terms with the deaths of two horses in the parade ring at Newbury on Saturday, investigations continued to centre on the probable cause.

The two horses who were killed, Fenix Two and Marching Song, were parading before the first race when they began to convulse having stepped from the rubber matting that surrounds the outside of the paddock on to the grass area inside.

Along with the two horses who died at least two others, Kid Cassidy and The Merry Giant, were also affected. In the immediate aftermath of the incident connections and veterinary officers who were on the scene took the view that the horses may have died from electrocution, with Nicky Henderson, the trainer of Kid Cassidy, describing the scene as “nearly like something out of a Dick Francis novel.”

Experts from Southern Electric were in attendance not long after the meeting had been abandoned and began a survey of the area where it was suspected that what had been an inert cable may have become live. Today a section of electricity cable was been removed from the paddock area.

Stuart Hogarth, operations director for Southern Electric Power Distribution, said in a statement: “Following yesterday’s unprecedented event, a full investigation is already underway. A section of electricity cable has been removed from the paddock area for further detailed inspection.

“Our initial on-site investigations last night confirm there was no danger to the public.”

Stephen Higgins, joint-managing director of Newbury, said: “We will wait for further information to be provided to us by Southern Electric Power Distribution who we are in daily contact with.

“We have been re-assured that the site is safe and we hope that the final results of this investigation will be established as soon as possible. Once again, we extend all our condolences to the connections of the two horses who died.”

Many trainers have expressed the desire for the meeting to be rescheduled – either at Newbury or elsewhere for races that are considered key trials for the Cheltenham Festival – but the British Horseracing Authority will not be making any statement on the subject until Monday at the earliest.

Speaking on his Twitter account Paul Struthers, the BHA’s head of communications, said: "No further comment from BHA until 2moro in relation to Newbury - either on investigation (inc post-mortems) or on possible rescheduling.”

There had been rumours of horses suffering burn marks around the mouth from the metal bits there were wearing, however Struthers said: "Just to be clear re @NewburyRaces not one vet, trainer or jockey mentioned anything about burn marks in, b4 or after official enquiry.”

Earlier Nic Coward, the BHA’s chief executive, had said to Radio Five Live: "Newbury are still in close contact with investigators they have there carrying out inspections, trying to work out what really happened.

“It’s premature to describe in detail what happened because that would be speculation. But fingers are being pointed at some kind of electrical fault. As well there’s post-mortems being carried out.

"I think we should stress that racecourses have a very strong track record of dealing with all of these issues at the track in the interests of welfare - the horse, jockeys, connections and customers. Racecourses are doing all they can and I think we should look this, at the moment, as a bizarre incident that people who have been around racing for decades and decades have never seen the like.”

Paul Wheeler

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