Owner calls on Ascot to prevent brawling at royal meeting

A RACEHORSE owner has threatened to boycott the royal meeting at Ascot unless organisers stamp out brawls.

Ascot was blighted by scenes of violence this weekend, with footage emerging of a mass fight within the main grandstand. A week earlier, a fight broke out at Goodwood.

Matthew Lincoln, who is a syndicate owner involved in the Royal Hunt Cup contender Rising Sand, said on Twitter that he was “seriously considering staying away despite having a likely runner on the Wednesday”.

He asked organisers for “reassurances” to “genuine racegoers that this despicable behaviour will be stamped out before the royal meeting”.

Mr Lincoln told The Guardian that racetracks should invest in more robust security, potentially paying for a more significant police presence to “deter troublemakers”.

The British Horseracing Authority has reminded racecourses of their responsibility around alcohol policies in the wake of the recent violence.

It said in a statement: “We announced after the violence at Goodwood that we would add the issue of security to our areas to examine in our licensing review later this year.

“Whilst the incident at Ascot was quickly contained and smaller in scale, it shows the issues that courses face even with good planning and security precautions.

“We know that courses will take into account the incidents as they make their security plans ahead of each meeting.

“The BHA does have the power to exclude individuals from courses and will use it where it can.”