Horse deaths probe at Sedgefield course

Mar 30 2008 by Sarah Robertson, Sunday Sun

TOP horseracing officials are launching an investigation into a North track to find out why so many animals have died there.

It follows a report published last week that 11 horses had to be put down at Sedgefield, in County Durham, in the last 12 months. In a bitter irony, another animal, Star of the Desert, died on Tuesday, when the report was published. Paul Struthers of the sport’s governing body, the British Horseracing Authority, said: “Horseracing, in common with all other sports, carries an element of risk for both horses and jockeys.

“It is our responsibility to minimise that risk and our Racecourse and Equine Welfare departments work closely with racecourses to do this.

“Sedgefield’s five-year fatal and long- term injury rate is in line with the national average, although the last 12 months is in excess of that.

“Our Racecourse and Equine Welfare departments are therefore looking into the circumstances of each fatality and will work closely with the RSPCA’s equine consultant, David Muir, to establish if there is any common cause or problem with Sedgefield.”

Sedgefield racecourse has come under criticism from authorities in the past. In 1999, three horses were killed in one race in a horrific pile-up. Animal rights group Animal Aid, which published the Racehorse Deathwatch last week, said that between 2001 and 2004 they recorded 14 deaths at the course.

Charlie Moore, clerk of the course at Sedgefield, said: “Every racecourse is passed fit for racing on each race day under the auspices of both the clerk of the course and the Horseracing Regulatory Authority.

“Occasionally, and despite a total commitment to safety, incidents may occur.

“This does not reflect upon the racecourse’s commitment toward or its ability to stage, horse racing in anything other than as safe an environment as possible.”

Dene Stansall of Animal Aid called for a full audit into Sedgefield. He said: “We realise horse racing will never be banned but what we want to see is these details of the deaths made public.

“Most people think of horses just dying in the Grand National but have no idea about how many die on provincial courses.

“There needs to be a thorough audit of the ground and fences and then they can iron out the problems they have got.”

Also last week, two horses — Pencil House and New Lodge — died while racing at Newcastle.

An RSPCA spokeswoman said: “We closely monitor racing events and work with jockeys, owners, trainers and event organisers to improve horse welfare.

“The deaths at Sedgefield are the subject of a thorough investigation by our equine expert.”