Leicester racecourse has been fined £5,000 by the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) after failing to deploy screens around a fatally injured horse and allowing the race to continue during a chase in January. The BHA disciplinary hearing found that the track breached instructions requiring races to be stopped when there is an unavoidable major hazard and screens to be erected around injured horses or jockeys.
Incident Details
During the race, the Dan Skelton-trained Lac De Constance sustained a fatal injury after unseating his rider. Replay footage showed the remaining runners bypassing the second last fence, on the other side of which jockey Tristan Durrell had hold of the horse. Despite this, the race was not stopped, and screens were not deployed around the obviously injured horse before the remaining horses completed their final circuit or at all.
BHA Investigation and Hearing
The racecourse vet, Mr P Daley, described himself as 'in control' during the stewards inquiry on the day. However, the track was referred to the BHA for a breach of rules. Judicial panel member HH Clement Goldstone KC agreed with the BHA investigation's conclusion that the racecourse executive had failed to stop the race and screen the horse. He stated, 'I am surprised only by the apparent failure of the Managing Executive to have even considered, let alone implement the first option of stopping the race.'
Goldstone also noted that moving a seriously injured horse, contrary to BHA veterinary guidance, was an aggravating feature and not simply an error of judgment. The BHA considered this a significant factor in the penalty.
Separate Incident at Hereford
In a separate case, Hereford racecourse was fined £3,500 after riders had to take evasive action when two grandstaff and a pitchfork were on the track during a race. The BHA emphasized the importance of track safety and adherence to regulations to protect both horses and jockeys.
