Rude interruption: amorous rabbits flee as horses approach at Dundalk

Watership Down met Love Story at Dundalk on Friday night as two amorous rabbits took centre stage in the median auction.

The romantic couple were on the track and doing what their species are famous for, caught up in the moment and blissfully unaware of the seven horses bearing down on them.

Fortunately they became conscious of the danger as the field approached and fled, causing no interference to the race which was won by Sky Seven, who was ridden by Ronan Whelan for trainer Mick Halford.

After the runners passed, the rabbits darted back onto the track, with one chasing the other in a continuation of their courting.

Colin Keane, who rode the runner-up, said: "I was coming inside the final furlong, hoping my lad was coming to win his race, and then he started pricking his ears and I didn't know what he was at.

"Then, out of the corner of my eye, I spotted something. I thought it was a cat to be honest with you. Invasion Day definitely spotted them before I did!"

Racecourses have often been invaded by other animals, most frequently dogs.

A seagull swoops as the runners pass the line at Brighton

The most recent example was an escaped greyhound that ran after the Sky Bet Chase field at Doncaster in January.

Last year two deer ran across the course during a Flat race at Newcastle, while a seagull swooped into a photo-finish at Brighton in 2014.

In Australia, a kangaroo somehow avoided causing chaos when it joined in midway through a race in New South Wales in 2017.

Other recent animal intrusions

Bizarre scenes as escaped greyhound pursues Sky Bet Chase field at Doncaster

Deer, oh deer - intruders leap across the track in the opener at Newcastle

One for the Spring Carnival? Kangaroo intrudes on race