Thirsk was forced to cancel four races on safety grounds on Friday after yet another incident in which a horse slipped and fell. The Yorkshire course scrapped four races scheduled to take place on the round course, leaving just one race on the straight course left to be staged.
Problems emerged during the first race, a handicap for amateur riders, staged on Thirsk’s round 1m course. Calaxy, trained by Billy Loughnane’s Dad Mark Loughnane and ridden by his 19-year-old brother Jack Loughnane, was a 40-1 outsider in the 11-runner race. The filly raced prominently shadowing the leaders when she suddenly sprawled and slipped, sending Loughnane to the deck.
Inspection leads to abandonments
A delegation of stewards, track officials, trainers of jockeys inspected the affected area as well as an area where horses pull up, after which the BHA announced: “Following the result of the inspection, R2,3, 5 and 6 are abandoned. R4 on the straight will go ahead as planned at 4:00.”
The meeting became the third this week to be called off. On Monday and Tuesday racing at Bellewstown in Ireland was halted both days. During its Flat fixture on Monday, Ireland's champion jockey Dylan Browne McMonagle took a heavy fall in the opening race and had to be taken to hospital. Then two further riders came down in the delayed second race and officials then made the call to abandon the remainder of the card.
Similar incidents at Bellewstown
The following day's meeting over jumps was cleared to go ahead and while the early races passed without incident, a horse slipping on the bend during the sixth race resulted in the final two contests being abandoned.
Clerk of the course James Sanderson said: “Unfortunately those watching will have seen that a horse did slip entering the home bend in our first race. Following an inspection with senior trainers, senior jockeys and the officials it has been decided that, in the interests of safety, we should not race around that bend today.
“Everyone felt it was just not quite right to continue, given there was very clear and obvious evidence of a horse having slipped, which is a great shame. However safety has to come first.”
One race to go ahead
He went on: “We are able to run the six furlong race because that’s on the straight course. Unfortunately we have only got one race on the straight course but we will run that as scheduled. In the meantime to the racegoers here were will be broadcasting as much away racing as we can and try to keep them entertained and we’ve already given information out about refund policy.
“We are very sorry. Nobody likes it when this happens. You have to be very careful when you are worried about the conditions. I’ve been surprised that they’ve slipped but hopefully no harm done. I’ve seen the rider and the horse is fine as well.”
