Two racecourse groundstaff had to run for safety after they were caught on the track while a race was in progress at Hereford on Tuesday. The incident occurred during the first race, a 3m1f handicap chase with four runners.
After the field had completed a circuit, the men were standing on the course, metres from the landing side of the third-last fence, carrying out running repairs to the track surface. They had their backs to the obstacle when they suddenly turned and realised the runners had jumped the fence and were heading towards them.
As they took evasive action, one of the men dropped his pitchfork before ducking under the rails. Jockey Gavin Sheehan, aboard eventual winner Mahler Moon, had to steer his horse wide to avoid them. The race was completed without further incident.
Race commentator David Fitzgerald said: “There’s a couple of groundsmen there very much in the wrong place, but they managed to get out of harm’s way.”
Stewards held an inquiry into the circumstances, interviewing the Clerk of the Course, General Manager, Head Groundsman and Gavin Sheehan. A report has been forwarded to the British Horseracing Authority for further consideration.
