Racecourse 'not at fault' after event cancelled

The opening race of the season was cancelled following safety concerns raised after several jockeys were unseated

The manager of a racecourse has said the course was "not at fault" after a series of races had to be abandoned when jockeys complained it was not safe.

The races held at Fakenham Racecourse, Norfolk, on 18 October, was cancelled by stewards of the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) who agreed that the course was unsafe after the first race.

The novice hurdle race, which stretched more than two miles, saw several jockeys thrown from their horses.

David Hunter, the clerk of the course, said that Fakenham Racecourse would be asking the BHA to review the circumstances around the race and its lead up.

Mr Hunter said he was “absolutely gutted” that the race was cancelled. “Everybody was very complementary about the ground, it was a perfectly good jumping ground and safe ground.”

Before the race, the first set of hurdles was removed after the riders felt the reflection from the sun could make it difficult to jump over them.

Mr Hunter said: “Jockeys went far too fast and bypassed the first hurdle.

"These are horses that are young… none of them jumped the race particularly prettily.”

Mr Hunter said: "You need to ride [the course] accordingly, part of the joys of British horse riding is that no two courses are the same."

A statement released by the directors of Fakenham Racecourse on social media, said: “Horse and jockey welfare is the highest priority.”

The racecourse have apologised to fans in attendance, offering entry to any other race this season or next

Fakenham Racecourse said several adjustments have now been made to the course, one hurdle has been moved further forward and it was maintaining the ground using selective watering where needed.

James Owen, a trainer from Newmarket, visited and tested the course on both a novice and experienced horse, successfully.

Fakenham Racecourse will resume races on Wednesday.