Penniless
Well-Known Member
As reported on H&H news the other night, thought you might like to view what is left of the stables burnt down at trainer Michael Wighams yard in Newmarket.
We felt sick when we saw these photos as up until just over a year ago, one of our racehorses lived in this stable and it could quite easily have been him caught up in the fire. As it was, it was one of our friends horses (Al Jathaab) who was inside one of the burning stables.
If it hadnt been for the quick thinking of one of the lads who lives on site, who quickly shut the main gates onto the road, and then let the horses out, we doubt very much whether the horses would have survived. Al himself was desperately trying to get out of his blazing stable, and as a result is now being treated by the vet for numerous lacerations.
Investigators are still examining the scene of the fire and no official explanation has been given as to how it started. The fire brigade said 40 firefighters were called and that flames were going 30' up into the air.
Our friends lost everything in the fire they had a tack room adjacent to the stable which houses all their saddles, bridles, first aid equipment, rugs, feed, etc. etc. The whole lot was burnt beyond recognition, except for one saddle rack. We offered her our racing gear but she said that her employers (Darley) have been very generous in offering her the use of their tack room in the meantime.
To make matters worse, our friends husband was arrested! Our friend was visiting her sister when she received a call to say the horses stable was on fire. She said she was hysterical and immediately phoned her husband (they live a mile from the yard) who immediately drove to the stables. He was stopped by the Police who wouldnt allow him access down the road, even though there were a lot of watchers all standing around the gates of the yard. He explained that he owned two of the horses caught up in the fire, but the Police refused him entry. Wont go into what was said or done, but he was arrested on the spot and taken to the Police Station for the night. I think all of us would have done the same as him - dont you!
Thankfully the other horses all seem okay, its just poor Al a 4 year old TB, who was the worst effected. Being a grey, our friends are praying that any scarring to his chest and legs wont show too badly as he has been very successful in the show ring and they hope to continue showing him during and after his racing career. He was spotted by Katie Jerram last year as a potential Search for a Star/RoR.
This is what is left of the stables.
We felt sick when we saw these photos as up until just over a year ago, one of our racehorses lived in this stable and it could quite easily have been him caught up in the fire. As it was, it was one of our friends horses (Al Jathaab) who was inside one of the burning stables.
If it hadnt been for the quick thinking of one of the lads who lives on site, who quickly shut the main gates onto the road, and then let the horses out, we doubt very much whether the horses would have survived. Al himself was desperately trying to get out of his blazing stable, and as a result is now being treated by the vet for numerous lacerations.
Investigators are still examining the scene of the fire and no official explanation has been given as to how it started. The fire brigade said 40 firefighters were called and that flames were going 30' up into the air.
Our friends lost everything in the fire they had a tack room adjacent to the stable which houses all their saddles, bridles, first aid equipment, rugs, feed, etc. etc. The whole lot was burnt beyond recognition, except for one saddle rack. We offered her our racing gear but she said that her employers (Darley) have been very generous in offering her the use of their tack room in the meantime.
To make matters worse, our friends husband was arrested! Our friend was visiting her sister when she received a call to say the horses stable was on fire. She said she was hysterical and immediately phoned her husband (they live a mile from the yard) who immediately drove to the stables. He was stopped by the Police who wouldnt allow him access down the road, even though there were a lot of watchers all standing around the gates of the yard. He explained that he owned two of the horses caught up in the fire, but the Police refused him entry. Wont go into what was said or done, but he was arrested on the spot and taken to the Police Station for the night. I think all of us would have done the same as him - dont you!
Thankfully the other horses all seem okay, its just poor Al a 4 year old TB, who was the worst effected. Being a grey, our friends are praying that any scarring to his chest and legs wont show too badly as he has been very successful in the show ring and they hope to continue showing him during and after his racing career. He was spotted by Katie Jerram last year as a potential Search for a Star/RoR.
This is what is left of the stables.
