The British Horseracing Authority has suspended National Hunt racing at Southwell until further notice, following two more equine fatalities at the track on Thursday. The deaths bring the total number of horses killed while racing there since 1 July to eight.
The latest incidents occurred in consecutive races. Cillian's Well, a 10-year-old making his 42nd start, suffered a fatal injury in a fall four fences from home in the opening two-mile handicap chase. In the next race, also a handicap chase, 11-year-old Day Of Roses died after falling at the third-last obstacle.
The BHA had already begun investigating six fatalities at Southwell between 1 July and 24 August. Following Thursday's meeting, it was decided to suspend all jump racing at the course, with scheduled fixtures transferred to other tracks.
Brant Dunshea, the BHA's chief regulatory officer, said the course had been inspected before racing and deemed fit to race, with pre-race veterinary checks on all horses. He added: "In the sad event of two further fatalities, we have jointly decided with ARC to suspend jump racing at Southwell until further notice whilst we work together to complete a detailed investigation."
Trainers who had already lost horses at Southwell this summer have suggested the speed-favouring nature of the course may be a factor. The investigation will examine the injury and veterinary history of the horses concerned, their previous starts, and "course factors such as ground and obstacles."
