Racing to restart after four horses die in a day

A race course where four horses died in a single day has been deemed safe after an inspection by the British Horseracing Authority. The BHA sent a team of course inspectors to Musselburgh racecourse in East Lothian after the deaths of the animals in individual incidents last Monday.

General manager Bill Farnsworth said he believed they were “a unique but unfortunate coincidence” and not a reflection on the racing conditions or procedures followed at Musselburgh.

Mr Farnsworth said: “We understand the concerns of the racing industry and the general public following such an unusual chain of events, however, we were confident that the deaths were not related to track conditions.

“We will endeavour to uphold best practice and to adhere to the highest safety and welfare standards.” A BHA statement said: “The British Horseracing Authority has today confirmed that Musselburgh’s fixture on December 10 will go ahead as planned.

“This is following a thorough inspection by a member of the BHA’S team of course inspectors carried out on Friday December 7. “The BHA are in the process of fully investigating the circumstances surrounding the four fatalities at Musselburgh.”