Horse racing panic as terrified staff forced to flee to avoid being trampled | Racing | Sport
Two racecourse groundstaff were forced to sprint to safety after they were caught carrying out track maintenance while a race was in full swing. The alarming incident unfolded during the opening race at Hereford on Tuesday, a 3m1f handicap chase contested by four horses.
After the field had completed a full circuit, the pair were standing on the course, just metres from the landing side of the third last fence, carrying out emergency repairs to the track surface. The two men had their backs to the fence when they suddenly turned round and realised the runners had cleared the obstacle and were bearing down on them.
As they scrambled out of harm’s way, one of the men dropped his pitchfork before diving beneath the rails.
Gavin Sheehan, aboard Mahler Moon, was forced to steer his mount wide of the area, but thankfully the race concluded without any further drama.
Describing the heart-stopping moment, race commentator David Fitzgerald said: “There’s a couple of groundsmen there very much in the wrong place, but they managed to get out of harm’s way.”
In a statement, organisers said the incident had been reported to the British Horseracing Authority for further examination.
The stewards launched an inquiry into “the circumstances surrounding why two members of the ground staff remained on the track approximately one hundred yards after the third-last fence as the field jumped it, leaving a fork on the track as they left, causing the riders to take evasive action.
“The Clerk of the Course, the General Manager, the Head Groundsman and Gavin Sheehan were interviewed and shown a recording.
“After hearing their evidence, a report was forwarded to the Head Office of the British Horseracing Authority for further consideration.”
The dramatic moment didn’t turn out to have much of an impact on the race, with evens favourite Maximum Offers following up to make it two from two at Hereford.
Gavin Sheehan’s mount, trained by Jamie Snowden, won by nine lengths after extending his advantage following the final fence.
