TRAGEDY AS GROOM KILLED AT KEMPTON
Trainer Perrett’s tribute as police probe death from kick by a horse
Trainer amanda Perrett has paid tribute to her groom Ken Dooley, who has been named as the man fatally injured at Kempton on Saturday evening.
it is believed Dooley, who was in his 50s, was kicked by a horse in the racecourse stables at the Sunbury track. The final two races of the meeting were abandoned and the incident is being investigated by Surrey police.
Perrett, who trains at Coombelands stable in Pulborough, Sussex, said in a statement: ‘it is with huge sadness that i can confirm we lost our friend and colleague Ken Dooley after an incident in the stable yard at Kempton last night.
‘Ken had been with us for seven years and was a very special member of our family business at Coombelands.
‘He was an excellent employee, very experienced with racehorses, having worked all of his life with them as a jockey, trainer and jockey coach around the world.
‘He was always first into work in the morning, hugely enthusiastic and dedicated to his horses. He was a very much valued and integral member of our team.
‘ Our thoughts are with his family at this very sad time.’
Perrett, the daughter of retired trainer Guy Harwood, had three runners at Kempton. Two of them, The Warrior and Mr Bossy Boots, had already run when the incident occurred. Her third runner, Parnassian, was due to run in the penultimate race.
Jockey Martin Dwyer, who was riding at the fixture, said he believed Dooley had been killed by a kick. He told racing UK: ‘Unfortunately, horses do kick out and i believe that’s what happened. They have metal shoes on and if you get a kick from a horse it can be very serious.
‘if they feel someone is too close they do kick out, but fortunately it is very rare. it is very sad.’
The BHa said any decision on launching an inquiry would not be made until the police conclude their enquiries.
Chief executive nick rust said: ‘My teams were assisting with their investigations last night and will continue to do so. We ask that everyone shows respect to this process. i’m sure i speak for everyone in British horseracing when i state that we’re truly devastated about the events at Kempton Park.’
The BHA set safety criteria to which racecourses must adhere. Spokesman robin Mounsey said: ‘The BHA is constantly working with racecourses to ensure levels of safety on a race day are as high as possible, though obviously where large animals are involved there is a small element of risk.’
With spectators and racehorses in such close proximity, the wonder is that there have been so few incidents at racetracks, particularly in the paddock.
These areas, especially at big meetings, are often packed with people to dangerous levels, despite attempts to reduce access at some courses.
Dooley’s death is the second tragedy to hit racing this year. in July, Steve Yarborough was killed in an incident involving the starting stalls at Haydock.