Newbury reschedules meeting following horse deaths

Newbury racecourse has rescheduled its Saturday meeting, which was abandoned following the deaths of two horses, for Friday, February 18.

An investigation was launched after Fenix Two and Marching Song died in the paddock, with trainers suggesting they had been electrocuted.

A section of electricity cable was dug up and removed from the Berkshire track's paddock on Sunday.

Friday's card is subject to approval by the British Horseracing Authority.

The results of post-mortems on the two horses are expected on Tuesday.

However, trainer Nicky Henderson, who had horses running at Newbury on Saturday, told BBC 5 live: "What we all speculated and what seemed the most likely answer [electrocution] has turned out to be the case."

It has been reported that drainage work at the course may have disturbed an underground cable.

Paul Struthers, head of communications for the BHA, said on Monday: "Our investigation, which is running in tandem with the investigation being undertaken by Newbury Racecourse and Southern Electric Power Distribution, has a number of other aspects.

"It is therefore only right and proper that we do not make any announcement until we have received and thoroughly reviewed the results from the post-mortems and other analysis

Stephen Higgins, the racecourse's joint managing director, said: "We have been reassured that the site is safe and we hope that the final results of this investigation will be established as soon as possible.

"Once again, we extend all our condolences to the connections of the two horses who died."

Stuart Hogarth, operations director for the electricity firm, added: "A full investigation is already underway. A section of electricity cable has been removed from the paddock area for further detailed inspection."

Fenix Two and Marching Song were about to be mounted by their jockeys on the grass on the far side of the parade ring before the first race when they fell to the ground and died, while Kid Cassidy and The Merry Giant were also affected.

Henderson withdrew his horse Kid Cassidy from the opening race, which was completed before officials decided to abandon the meeting

He has backed the decision to reschedule the meeting for Friday.

"Firstly our condolences go out to the connections of Marching Song and Fenix Two, secondly I am pleased to report our vet checked Kid Cassidy on Saturday evening and all is fine with him," he said.

"No-one would ever wish to see a repeat of last Saturday's tragic events.

"Equine along with human safety is foremost in everyone's mind who is involved with horseracing.

"I feel it's important that racing at the course should resume and I whole-heartedly support Newbury's and the BHA's decision to restage the remaining races of last Saturday's fixture and we will be sending our intended runners from our stable to the course."

Champion jumps trainer Paul Nicholls welcomed the restaging of the meeting, adding: "Last Saturday's unprecedented event was very tragic and our team wishes to extend its thoughts to connections of those horses affected.

"We support 100% the decision to race on Friday at Newbury racecourse and we will be sending our runners to this fixture."

Henderson said that Saturday's tragedy was like a scene from a novel by jockey-turned-bestselling author Dick Francis.

"It was something that none of us have ever seen before and we hope never to see again," Henderson told BBC Radio 5 live.

"Kid Cassidy was just walking round and went over on to the grass and knuckled over for a second.

"It does appear it was to do with electricity and underground cables and obviously nobody knew it was there."

Champion jockey Tony McCoy, who was on board Kid Cassidy, said his mount was difficult to control