The final two races at Goodwood were cancelled on Wednesday after a winning horse slipped in the pull-up area, raising safety concerns. Jockey Cieren Fallon was unseated from Yabher as the horse lost its footing while being slowed down after winning the sixth race by six lengths.
Fallon managed to catch his mount and appeared to be walking gingerly, prompting an inspection of the track. Clerk of the course Ed Arkell, along with riders Charles Bishop, Daniel Muscutt and Robert Havlin, trainer Richard Hughes, a veterinary officer and a BHA course inspector, examined the area.
The stewards' report confirmed that three horses had slipped in the pull-up area after the sixth race. Despite remedial work, the surface was deemed unsafe. Presenter Tom Stanley told Racing TV: 'The pull-up area has been deemed unsafe. Quick ground and then loads of rain on it... that's a real shame.'
Arkell explained: 'It was nice, quick flat racing ground and we have had very, very heavy shower over the last 20 minutes and it hasn't had a chance to get in and horses pulling up on that bend past the winning line are slipping.'
The abandoned races were handicaps over a mile and seven furlongs for three-year-olds only. The decision was made to ensure the safety of horses and riders.
