Racing abandoned as Worcester runs dry - Horse Racing News | Racing Post

Racing abandoned as Worcester runs dry - Horse Racing News | Racing Post:

"RACING was abandoned in controversial circumstances after just one race at Worcester on Wednesday, with the hot weather taking its toll as the track ran short of water for the horses.

After the first, Highland Laddie collapsed due to heat exhaustion and required '600 to 800 gallons of water [2,700 to 3,600 litres]' to revive him, diminishing the supplies on course.

After a lengthy delay and an inquiry during which they consulted jockeys and trainers, the stewards elected to call off the meeting on 'wholly equine grounds'. Explaining the reason for the abandonment, stipendary steward Richard Westdrop said: 'Due to the excessive heat and the fact it was 85 degrees (29.4C) in the racecourse stables, the horses were arriving on the track already dehydrated before they had run in the race.

'The decision to abandon was a wholly equine welfare condition. We took expert advice from our vet Jilly Hancock and Mr Andrew Harrison, a senior veterinary official on the course.'
Before the decision was taken to abandon, clerk of the course Fergus Cameron had tried to access a fire hydrant in the centre of the course to reach more urgently needed water, and raceourse staff with hosepipes were seen filling up water containers.

It was an ironic twist for the course, which has suffered from flooding over the last two summers and was unable to race."