Seven horses bought at Tattersalls lose their lives in tragic road accident

Seven horses purchased at the Tattersalls Horses in Training sale this week have died in a terrible accident, with a lorry bound for Spain catching fire en route in France on Thursday night.

Press reports in Spain say that police and firefighters attended the scene on the A28 motorway between Blangy-sur-Bresle and Neufchatel-en-Bray in the Normandy region.

The truck, carrying ten horses in all, is said to have caught fire after a tyre burst at around 8pm local time.

The driver, who was hospitalised with burns, reportedly tried to put out the fire with the emergency extinguisher but, due to the magnitude of the blaze and strong winds, was unable to.

The three horses understood to have survived, according to reports in Spain, are Mexico City, formerly trained by Aidan O'Brien and who was third in the Group 3 Killavullan Stakes on his latest start, the former John Gosden-trained maiden Haajoos, and Alpin King, who was previously with Charlie Hills and also a maiden.

Mexico City was purchased by Edgar Byrne for 60,000gns at Park Paddocks, and along with the other two horses was taken to an equine hospital.

Among the seven horses who lost their lives in the tragedy, having been purchased by new Spanish owners in Newmarket, was three-time winner Wise Counsel, a half-brother to former Spanish poster boy Noozhoh Canarias, who was runner-up in the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere.

Wise Counsel was formerly trained by Clive Cox and had fetched 50,000gns to a winning bid by Byrne.

Wise Counsel and Mexico City were bought for owners Yeguada Rocio, who following the devastating news said in a statement: “We have learned that the horses we acquired in Tattersalls have suffered a tragic road accident, as a result of which Wise Counsel has lost his life.

"Fortunately, we have learned that Mexico City is out of danger, although at this moment we do not know his state and, until we have the opportunity to examine him, we will not make any types of evaluations.

“Both Wise Counsel and Mexico City were acquired to reinforce a stable committed to quality. This accident has been a tremendous blow, especially for the stud, and for the entire team.

"We appreciate all the expressions of affection received and we ask for caution and respect in the information that is circulated on this unfortunate incident. Likewise, we want to pass on all our love to the rest of those affected by this horrible accident.”

Wise Counsel was due to join trainer Guillermo Arizkorreta, who added: “We are devastated. Our love goes to all those affected by the accident, with whom we share pain.

“We were looking forward to training Wise Counsel, brother of Noozhoh Canarias. We pay tribute to him and send love to the Yeguada Rocio.”

Also understood to be among the fatalities were Daayeb, formerly with Kevin Prendergast, Hawaamesh, who had been with Dermot Weld but had yet to run, and Just Awesome, also previously trained in Ireland, in his case by Aidan Fogarty.