Angels

[my miss storm cat]

Warlord, Stars In His Eyes, Priests Bridge, Neysauteur.....

Jump in peace.

From Racing Post.....

RSPCA reiterate call for racing to prioritise equine safety
by Bill Barber

THE RSPCA has reiterated its call for racing to prioritise equine safety in the wake of the death of four horses at Wincanton on Monday.

The Horseracing Regulatory Authority began its investigation into the incidents on Monday evening and the body's senior veterinary advisor Lynn Hillyer said on Tuesday that it took such matters "very seriously".

Of the fatalities, two occurred in the novice hurdle when Warlord fell and brought down Stars In His Eyes. Priests Bridge died instantly from abroken neck after falling at the second in the novice chase while Neysauteur was pulled up after fracturing a fetlock in the 2m5f handicap chase.

David Muir, the RSPCA's equine consultant, acknowledged that the HRA now has a database with which to study such events but said: "We keep on saying it, racing has got to put fatalities at the top of its priorities.

"The RSPCA's view is that any death is indefensible and there has got to be a reduction of fallers because it is falls that cause deaths. You do get anomalies but racing has got to be very careful it doesn't use that as an excuse." Hillyer said that such incidents are looked at as a matter of course. She said: "We take every single incident very seriously and there is a set procedure in place. We look at the videos, speak to the vets on the ground, the clerk of the course and anyone else in a position to help us after such an incident.

"On this occasion myself and colleagues got together last night to discuss it and then this morning I spoke to the vet to find out what happened and also their view on what happened. Our racecourse inspector Richard Linley will also visit the course. I would hope that we would be safe in our own minds about what happened within the next four weeks."

Wincanton clerk of the course Rebecca Morgan said there did not seem to be a common factor in the deaths. They were the first at the course this season and only one horse was a non-runner because of unsuitable ground on the day.

She said: "Therewasn't any common denominator. Two were over fences, two over hurdles. The ground was good, we'd had 2.5mm of precipitation the previous day and showers during the day so that we don't think that was the cause. There really didn't appear to be any one reason.”