TRAGIC HAYDOCK
Stalls team leader killed in freak pre-race accident
The racing world was in shock last night after a starting stalls handler was killed at haydock. Stephen Yarborough died after sustaining fatal injuries when run over by the stalls before the start of the fourth race at the Merseyside track.
A police investigation into the accident is under way as is an investigation by the health and Safety executive.
Yarborough, who was the stalls team leader, was airlifted to the intensive care unit of nearby Whiston hospital and the rest of the meeting was abandoned. A widower with two children, he was born in Great habton, near Malton in North Yorkshire.
his death was confirmed last night in a statement from his employers RaceTech, who provide the starting teams and equipment around Britain’s racecourses, and their chief executive John Bozza said: ‘ Our thoughts are very much with Stephen’s family, close friends and his colleagues at this very sad time.
‘Stephen was an experienced and popular member of the team. he will be hugely missed by every- one. We are doing all we can to support Stephen’s family and the investigation at this stage.’
Jason Fildes, the general manager at haydock Park, said: ‘This is the worst possible news. I’m very upset for Stephen’s family and friends and there is now a real sadness among the whole team.
‘We saw Stephen here regularly in his role working for RaceTech for many years. It’s so tragic this has happened.’
The Professional Jockeys Association announced that all riders at today’s meetings will wear black armbands as a mark of respect.
Nick Rust, chief executive of the British horseracing Authority, said: ‘This is a tragic incident and we are all shocked and saddened.
‘Stalls handlers carry out a brave and important job each day, looking after the safety of horses and riders, and we are grateful for their work. British racing will come together in grief at this incident — we are one family and today we have lost one of our own. Our condolences and sympathies are with Stephen’s family and friends.’
Runners for the fourth race had entered the paddock when they were ordered back to the stables to allow the air ambulance to land.
A report by haydock stewards read: ‘The stewards held an inquiry following a report from the starters that a member of the stalls team had been injured prior to race four. They interviewed both starters and the clerk of the course, who was representing the racecourse executive.
The clerk of the course stated that the racecourse executive had taken the decision to abandon the remainder of the day’s racing as police had been informed of the accident and were due to arrive to conduct inquiries. This decision was sanctioned by the stewards.’