Newton Abbot Races Mourns Loss of Four Horses

Race meetings at Newton Abbot have been held since 1866.

Newton Abbot race experienced a tragic incident on June 25th, as four horses lost their lives during a race meeting. The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) conducted a preliminary investigation and confirmed distinct causes for each horse’s death. Hallowed Rose fell in a hurdle race and race officials pulled up Bala Brook during the same race. In separate hurdle contests, officials also pulled up Cuzzicombe and Happy Helen. The race meeting, featuring seven races, occurred on ground rated officially as good, with some areas of good to firm.

Currently, the BHA’s Fatality Review Group is investigating the incidents thoroughly. The BHA’s Racecourse and Facilities Manager found no issues with the racing surface or any facilities at Newton Abbot that could have contributed to the accidents. They personally conducted inspections and reviewed the track’s maintenance records. Ongoing reviews into each horse’s fatality reveal that each injury happened under unique circumstances, with no external factors linking them, according to initial findings.

Importantly, Newton Abbot has a good safety record, with only three fatalities recorded out of 1,524 runners between 2022 and 2023. This figure is roughly half the national average for jump racing. Looking ahead, Newton Abbot race has scheduled its next meeting for Friday, demonstrating its commitment to hosting competitive racing events. Both spectators and participants are eagerly anticipating another day of thrilling races at this esteemed Devon venue.

Cataleya