2 horses die in paddock at Newbury

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Double_choc_lab

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Also in NL. 2 horses died in the paddock at Newbury just before the 1st race. Believed to be heart attacks - both at same point of paddock and within seconds of one another. At moment Newbury thinking it could be electrical problem in the ground as lad and jockey said they got shocks of horses when they were down. Paddock now closed and they're using the pre parade ring.
 
Just turned the racing on a few minutes ago & can't believe it. It seems neither can the commentators.
I understand the vets are checking all the other runners & doing post mortems ASAP.
RIP as I assume is a tragic accident :(
 
I have just switched the tv on to hear this on Channel 4 racing. How awful - what a tragedy. I hope they get to the bottom of it soon.
The meeting at Newbury has now been abandoned.
 
has been reported that runners from the 1st race have burn marks around the mouth. Also when bridle were taken off Marching song there were electric shocks. RIP x
 
So so sad, my parents live next door to Andy Turnell and have 2 horses in his yard. Condolences to all those who have a connection to the horses.

It is being speculated as electrocution. Those removing tack from the deceased horses reported getting a sort of shock, and there have been reports of other horses not seriously affected having slight scorch marks under any metal that was touching them.

We will have to wait and see what the investigation says. Particular condolences to JP McManus who lost one horse, and had 2 others seriously affected.
 
The unfolding events were horrific. The Channel 4 commentators seemed almost lost for words. Thought John Francome described very eloquently and calmly the possible theory of electrocution, in that although horses are unable to withstand electric shocks to the same extent as humans, not just because of metal shoes, bits, etc, that also because their back and front feet are 4-5 feet apart, they absorb not only the initial shock of what they stand on, but also the aftershock that is going through the ground several feet away.

As electrocution is the main suspect at the moment, pending further enquiries, there are reports of handlers, vets, etc getting shocks off the four horses involved as they tried to tend to them and take the tack off, and a couple of the horses who did survive have burn marks around their mouths where their bits were.

Sadly, as the two course vets interviewed stated, a PM may never get to the bottom of what happened to the two horses, just merely able to rule out what didn't.

Very sad day for racing, and my thoughts go out to all the connections of the horses involved and also to those at the racecourse, who have the harrowing task of establshing what happened and preventing any similar incident happening again.
 
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RIP Fenix Two & Marching Song
2 promising young horses whose lives tragically ended today, condolences to the owners, trainers and all their connections.
Also I hope the other injured horses make a speedy recovery xx
 
It has been suggested (on twitter so don't know how reliable) that Marching song, Fenix two and Kid cassidy were wearing steel shoes...
 
Very sad news.
The racecourse have given a statement saying that both horses were wearing steel shoes, the only 2 in the race that were. Southern electric have been investigating, and claim there is a cable under the parade ring, one that has been there for 30 years since the stand was built. Whether this is damaged or not, I don't know, but the chances seem likely after the grass was 'airated' ?? during the week.
Poor things, and all the connections. Also, all the members of public watching, as it is something no person wants to see.
 
kerilli I just clicked on this as saw you had posted and thought you would have an insightful comment on it.

very very sad for all involved - cant get my head round it though at all
 
jockmaster said:
RuthnMeg said:
Very sad news.
The racecourse have given a statement saying that both horses were wearing steel shoes,

were they ali/steel mix or just steel? as if just steel that is most peculiar.
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Thats what they said, just steel, as in not a racing plate.
I went to Newbury Racecourse site, read some info and listened to a statement.
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Corneilus from the BBC has said on his twitter that extensive excavations are taking place in the paddock at the moment...

:(
 
So it's just me who thinks that the life of a racehorse is precarious generally. Yes, today was literally a shocking occurrence, but nothing like as awful as the end to probably the majority of racehorses, but especially the failed ones... Their end, to me, is far more upsetting and outrageous.
 
brighteyes said:
So it's just me who thinks that the life of a racehorse is precarious generally. Yes, today was literally a shocking occurrence, but nothing like as awful as the end to probably the majority of racehorses, but especially the failed ones... Their end, to me, is far more upsetting and outrageous.
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I agree with the above

To loss a horse in such circumstances as that at Newbury yesterday is very sad. At least those horses died quickly unlike an accident (Broken neck, back or leg) on the course, while the vets make a decision, they are in pain.

As I left the race course last night the Southern Electricity Board were digging up the parade ring.
 
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