Musselburgh racecourse: Investigation launched after four horses die in one day

'It is unforgivable that horses are dying on an almost daily basis,' says campaign group Animal Aid

A previous race at Musselburgh Racecourse in East Lothian, Scotland. (PA Archive/PA Images)

An investigation has been launched after four horses died in one day at a Scottish racecourse.

Smart Ruler, Leather Belly, Sierra Oscar and Kensukes Kingdom were all fatally injured at Musselburgh Racecourse in East Lothian on Monday, despite good ground conditions.

The British Horseracing Authority (BHA), which is investigating, described seeing multiple deaths in a single day of racing as “very rare”.

Some of the horses are being sent for post-mortems to establish more information about their cause of death, although one seems to be related to a “sudden collapse”.

Bill Farnsworth, Musselburgh Racecourse general manager, said: “Our thoughts are with the owners, trainers and stable staff of these horses.

“The ground conditions and weather at Musselburgh Racecourse on 3 December were ideal for racing but until we have further information it would be wrong to speculate as to the cause of these tragic incidents.

“We will work closely with the BHA and assist their investigation to establish what happened and to ensure that Musselburgh continues to adopt best practice for all participants in racing.”

Robin Mounsey, BHA head of media, added: “The incidents at Musselburgh were extremely distressing for everyone involved in the sport, not least for the owners of the horses and the trainers and stable staff who cared for them through their lives.

“As the sport's independent regulator we obviously treat issues such as this very seriously and work will now be undertaken to identify if there are any risk factors at the course or with the horses that might have contributed to these incidents.”

Inspectors are expected to visit the racecourse in the coming days.

According to the BHA, the fatality rate in Britain has reduced to about 0.2 per cent of runners over the last few years.

Animal Aid claims there has only been this number of fatalities in a single day on an individual racecourse twice before in the 11 years it has been recording race horse deaths.

The campaign group says it has recorded 182 deaths as a result of racing so far this year across Great Britain.

Animal Aid’s horse racing consultant Dene Stansall said: “It is unforgivable that horses are dying on an almost daily basis.

“The situation is becoming increasingly dire for the horses whose lives are in serious danger every time they step onto a racecourse. This must end.

“Animal Aid will pursue its campaign to remove the British Horseracing Authority from their position as horse welfare regulators.

“Their position is untenable as they are, shamefully, failing to protect race horses.”

Press Association contributed to this report