Two members of the public have been rushed to hospital after a horse crashed into a group of racegoers at a meeting. The shocking incident occurred at Cartmel which had drawn a large crowd for its final fixture of the season on Bank Holiday Monday.
Wbee, a 10-year-old gelding trained by Gary Hanmer, tragically sustained an injury during the third race, a handicap hurdle spanning three miles and one-and-a-half furlongs. The horse was swiftly pulled up by jockey Alan Doyle and careered through the rails near the penultimate jump.
Medical staff and veterinarians rushed to the scene immediately and racing was suspended, as confirmed by a post on X from the British Horseracing Authority.
A statement from the track said: “Cartmel Racecourse can confirm that during the third race of today’s meeting a horse experienced a veterinary issue that caused it to deviate from the course, where it came into contact with a group of spectators.
“On-site medical teams responded immediately and two people were taken to hospital for further treatment. The horse, Wbee, received prompt veterinary attention on site but sadly did not recover.”
The following race was delayed by 38 minutes from its scheduled start time, featuring a runner part-owned by Tyson Fury.
Sea The Clouds was pulled up by former champion jockey Brian Hughes.
Dubbed the Wicks Group Cavendish Cup, the chase was claimed by Mickey Bowen-trained Olivers Travels, a horse partnered by his brother Sean. At Ripon, a dramatic incident unfolded when Charli Parker suffered a severe fall in the final race, a 1m 3f amateur jockeys’ handicap.
Her horse, Star Start, stumbled and fell after being squeezed for room just over a furlong out.
James Hutchinson, the Racecourse managing director, stated: “Charli Parker was stable when she left the racecourse and was taken to James Cook Hospital in Middlesbrough by road ambulance for further assessment.”
He also confirmed that the thoroughbred, trained by local handler Ruth Carr, was unharmed and returned to the stables.
The BHA’s post-race report stated: “The stewards wished to hold an enquiry into the fall of Star Start approximately three furlongs from the line but were unable to do so as Miss Parker was unable to be interviewed due to receiving medical attention. The enquiry is adjourned to a date to be confirmed.”
