Two horses, Fenix Two and Marching Song, have been killed in the parade ring at Newbury in what looks like a freak accident.
A third horse, Kid Cassidy, was withdrawn by its trainer Nicky Henderson after his daughter told him the horse had gone down in the paddock, according to the BBC. He later confirmed that his horse had been checked and was declared well.
It’s suspected that an electric current running under the ring is the cause of the deaths, although nothing is being confirmed until autopsies are carried out on the dead horses.
Drainage work beneath the parade ring may have interfered with the electrical current, causing the freak accident.
Jonjo, O’Neill, trainer of Fenix Two, said his horse “reared up and we couldn’t get him back, it was like he was stuck to the ground. It was the weirdest thing I’ve ever seen in my life”.
Racing at Newbury was initially going to continue, but was abandoned after the first race.
“This is a very sad day and our thoughts are with all the connections of the two horses who died,” racecourse joint-managing director Stephen Higgins said in a statement.
“Whilst the causes of this incident are still unknown, for safety reasons we unfortunately had to abandon as our only course of action.”
Commenting on the incident that led to he abandonment of racing at Newbury after two horses collapsed and died in the parade ring before racing, Professor Tim Morris, Director of Equine Science and Welfare for the British Horseracing Authority, has confirmed a full investigation is under way.
He said: “Following the tragic events at Newbury today, our sympathies go out to connections of the two horses that died, Fenix Two and Marching Song.
“We have launched a full investigation into the events before the first race. Whilst there are suspicions that an electrical fault was the cause and this is being looked into by the racecourse and relevant authorities, it is important that we investigate other possible causes.
“Both horses have been sent for post mortem examinations and samples from both horses, and from the other two horses involved in the incident, have been taken and will be analysed.
“We will also be testing a sample of the water supply and have secured and will review all of the CCTV footage from the racecourse stables and footage from the parade ring itself at the time.
“We have gathered evidence and statements at the racecourse from the connections involved with the incident, including trainers, jockeys, stable staff and owners, the racecourse and BHA veterinary officers, and the racecourse executive including the health and safety officer.”
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