Dream Alliance stable fire kills young racehorse
A RACEHORSE tipped to follow in the footsteps of a Grand National winner has been killed after a fire at a Welsh allotment.
The two-year-old foal, Rodney, was killed, and another horse was badly injured, after a fire at a stable owned by the family behind the rags-to-riches story of Dream Alliance.
Janet and Brian Vokes, from Cefn Fforest, near Blackwood, rose to fame after thoroughbred Dream Alliance won the Grand National in 2009.
Their story was captured in the documentary film Dark Horse, showing the horse surrounded by chickens and ducks on the couple’s allotment.
The pair have been left devastated after Rodney was found dead after the fire in the stable. Mrs Vokes, 64, said: “I’m absolutely numb.
“I can’t imagine how anyone could do such a thing.
“We had so much to look forward to and it’s all gone in the blink of an eye.”
Rodney – also known by his racing name Impossible Dream – had been due to start preparing to compete in the spring, after being reared from birth by the pair and a 20-member syndicate.
Mrs Vokes added: “He had been broken in already for racing.
“There’s no electricity in the stable and we don’t keep bales of hay in the building.”
Rodney’s mother Hettie, who raced under the name Juwireya, has suffered serious burns.
The nine-year-old mare is currently being treated by the vet for injuries including a swollen face.
Her owner said: “Her face is swollen and she’s burnt all down her face and legs.
“She’s not in a good state.”
A spokesperson for Gwent Police received a call at approximately 7.20am yesterday, reporting a fire at a barn on Cefn Fforest Avenue, Cefn Fforest.
The barn was destroyed in the fire and a horse was found deceased inside. Another horse was found injured nearby, said the spokesman.
The fire service and officers are working to establish the cause of the fire. Anyone with any information should call Gwent Police on 101 quoting log number 135 26/11/17 or Crimestopppers on 0800 555 111.