Back in the saddle: ill-fated races rescheduled

Newbury Racecourse "safe to host Saturday's abandoned ticket on Friday"

Newbury Racecourse and the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) have announced that they plan to re-schedule Saturday's ill-fated fixture on Friday.

All but the first race were abandoned after two horses were electrocuted.

However, racecourse management have now received an assurance from Southern Electric Power Distribution that the paddock site is safe for both horses and people.

The BHA have authorised the re-scheduling pending receipt of written confirmation from Newbury Racecourse that there are no outstanding issues and the satisfactory review of the post-mortem and samples taken from the affected horses.

Joint Managing Director of Newbury Racecourse, Stephen Higgins, said: “It has been a difficult week so far for all involved with Saturday's traumatic events. Having received confirmation from Southern Electric Power Distribution that the paddock site is safe for both horses and people, we are confident that racing should resume.

“We have been in talks with the BHA and our sponsors the Tote and AON, with regard to re-scheduling the remaining races from Saturday's card and it is our intention for them to take place on Friday.”

He added: “Re-staging the fixture is an expensive, but necessary exercise and we are very grateful to the BHA and the title sponsors, the Tote, AON, as well as the Horsemen and The Levy Board with whom we have worked closely and our racegoers who have been enormously supportive.”

Chief Executive of the Tote, Trevor Beaumont, said: “After the very unfortunate events over the weekend, our sympathies are with the connections of the horses involved. We have come to an agreement with Newbury Racecourse, the BHA and the Levy Board which has enabled the re-scheduling of totesport Trophy Day.

“It was vital that we came together to save one of the most important days in the jump racing calendar and as the biggest sponsor of British horseracing we are more than happy to lend our support.”

Leading Lambourn trainer, Nicky Henderson, said: “Following Saturday's extraordinary event at Newbury, firstly our condolences go out to the connections of Marching Song and Fenix Two, secondly I am pleased to report our vet checked Kid Cassidy on Saturday evening and all is fine with him.

“No-one would ever wish to see a repeat of last Saturday's tragic events. Equine, along with human safety, is foremost in everyone's mind who is involved with horseracing. I feel it's important that racing at the course should resume and I whole-heartedly support Newbury's and the BHA's decision to re-stage the remaining races of last Saturday's fixture and we will be sending our intended runners from our stable to the course.

Champion jump trainer Paul Nicholls said: “Last Saturday's unprecedented event in the parade ring at Newbury was very tragic and our team wishes to extend its thoughts to connections of those horses affected. We support 100 per cent the decision to race on Friday at Newbury Racecourse and we will be sending our runners to this fixture.”

Tickets for the fixture will only be available on the gate at £15 per person, for one combined enclosure, with under 18s going free. For further information on the fixture visit newbury-racecourse.co.uk

Meanwhile post mortem tests on the dead horses are continuing.