Sedgefield race track has responded to claims it's the most dangerous in the country by re-locating the concluding barrier in the home straight. The Johnny Ridley Fence has been moved nearer to the bleachers and will definitely be in use for the 1st time at it's new site at today's meeting.
Animal Aid, an animal pressure group, had been notably raucous about the racecourse, and subsequent to the meeting on 13 June when 3 horses were killed following spills, had requested the racecourse to be shut down. Those deaths brought the total number of fatalities at Sedgefield to 33 since March 2007, according to the group.
Dene Stansall, speaking for Animal Help announced, "Sedgefield's record of race horse deaths is second to none. Neither the racecourse, its owners Northwards Racing, nor the welfare ombudsman, the British Horseracing Authority, appear ready or able to deal with what is a major welfare problem. There shouldn't be any second possibilities with this racecourse. There's only 1 logical plan of action to prevent further pony deaths, and that is to shut the place down."
Highlighting that this is obviously not true, Jim Allen, head of racing development at Northern Racing, made public the explanation for moving the fence. "The fence was slightly downhill, and we had a talk about it among trainers and jockeys during our summer break. The generally held belief was that it should be a little uphill, so we've moved closer to the stands. Now there's less of a drop, which is what people wanted."
Allen proceeded to elucidate the way the fence had been checked to ensure that it reduce the risk of falls. "We've had trials this summer using the just sited fence. Ferdy Murphy and Chris Grant both brought horses here, and they both gave it the thumbs up afterwards."
Horse racing in Great Britain has been under some pressure lately to enhance its overall safety record, pressure which has seen splits develop in the ruling body for the sport in UK.
Animal Aid, an animal pressure group, had been notably raucous about the racecourse, and subsequent to the meeting on 13 June when 3 horses were killed following spills, had requested the racecourse to be shut down. Those deaths brought the total number of fatalities at Sedgefield to 33 since March 2007, according to the group.
Dene Stansall, speaking for Animal Help announced, "Sedgefield's record of race horse deaths is second to none. Neither the racecourse, its owners Northwards Racing, nor the welfare ombudsman, the British Horseracing Authority, appear ready or able to deal with what is a major welfare problem. There shouldn't be any second possibilities with this racecourse. There's only 1 logical plan of action to prevent further pony deaths, and that is to shut the place down."
Highlighting that this is obviously not true, Jim Allen, head of racing development at Northern Racing, made public the explanation for moving the fence. "The fence was slightly downhill, and we had a talk about it among trainers and jockeys during our summer break. The generally held belief was that it should be a little uphill, so we've moved closer to the stands. Now there's less of a drop, which is what people wanted."
Allen proceeded to elucidate the way the fence had been checked to ensure that it reduce the risk of falls. "We've had trials this summer using the just sited fence. Ferdy Murphy and Chris Grant both brought horses here, and they both gave it the thumbs up afterwards."
Horse racing in Great Britain has been under some pressure lately to enhance its overall safety record, pressure which has seen splits develop in the ruling body for the sport in UK.
About the Author:
Matt Bisogno is an enormous horse racing fan and he and his team write daily on UK horse-racing and more general horseracing reports.
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