'This is not just for our reputation but the sake of the sport' - Fakenham to request full review into abandoned meeting

Fakenham is to formally request a thorough BHA review into the abandonment of the course’s previous meeting this month.

The Norfolk track stages a seven-race card on Wednesday but was forced to abandon its last fixture after the first race following reports of horses slipping. That was followed by a stewards’ inquiry, with a group of jockeys, trainers, stewards and course officials inspecting the track.

David Hunter, who has been chief executive and clerk of the course at Fakenham since 1998, feels lessons can be learned all round. He said: “It's important this review takes place – not just for Fakenham and our reputation but for the sake of the sport.

“I absolutely felt racing could have continued and that horses slipped because they were inexperienced and possibly going too fast into a hurdle that wasn’t an ideal first hurdle after the actual first hurdle was omitted due to low sun.

“If there are lessons for us to learn, that’s absolutely fine, but I think there are lessons in the wider picture of racing to be learned too. Obstacles are taken out far too often for low-sun concerns and it can have dramatic consequences, which is what happened with us.”

The BHA on Wednesday moved to explain the sequence of events on the raceday and intend to liaise privately with Fakenham on the matter.

A BHA spokesperson said: "A key responsibility of our stewards is to ensure conditions are safe for all participants at every meeting and consider any evidence brought to them relating to this.

"While there were no concerns prior to the first race other than the low sun, jockeys subsequently reported concerns to stewards regarding horses slipping during the race and so the stewards rightly followed the process this triggers. An inspection of the course was held by an inspecting group comprising of trainers, jockeys, racecourse and BHA officials, after which the stewards held an enquiry. As part of this process consideration was given to whether remedial work on the bend would resolve the issue, however the feedback from jockeys was clear that their concerns remained.

"Having considered all evidence presented to them by all parties, the stewards took the decision to abandon the remainder of the meeting in the interests of the safety of all participants.

"A report is in the process of being compiled by the BHA’s racecourses and facilities manager and we will continue to liaise privately with Fakenham on the matter."

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