Horse dies after Cefn Fforest arson attack on stable

Rodney (here as a foal) was almost three years old and his mother Juwireya is nine

Arsonists killed one horse and injured another in an attack on the stable of Welsh Grand National-winning breeders.

Janet and Brian Vokes were told about the fire in Cefn Fforest, Caerphilly county, at about 06:30 GMT on Sunday.

Two-year-old gelding Rodney died and his mother, Juwireya, nine, was injured. The stable was destroyed.

Mrs Vokes said: "We're absolutely devastated. They're scum - you can't imagine why anyone would do such a thing."

Mr and Mrs Vokes owned the Welsh Grand National-winning Dream Alliance, whose unlikely victory was turned into a film.

Vets are treating Juwireya but it is not yet known how badly injured she was after suffering burns to her face, back and legs.

The cost of the damage to the stable is about £3,000.

Janet and Brian Vokes said they have been left "devastated"

Dream Alliance was funded by a syndicate of friends and drinkers from the local working men's club who paid £10 a week for the horse to be trained.

Rodney, known affectionately as Rodders, was due to follow in Dream Alliance's footsteps and race under the name Impossible Dream.

Rodney had only been back in the stables for about three weeks after staying in a field in Abergavenny, Monmouthshire, over the summer.

Mrs Vokes, 64, said: "We've got no enemies, we keep ourselves to ourselves - we've only got our horses here.

"There's no clues up there, it was dark, no lights. We haven't got a clue - we hope someone locally will have the heart to inform the police if they know anything."

South Wales Fire and Rescue Service sent five crews to tackle the blaze after getting the call just after 06:40.

Head of control at South Wales Fire and Rescue Service, Jennie Griffiths, tweeted that the blaze was deliberate.

Both the fire service and Gwent Police are carrying out an investigation.

A vet is assessing the extent of Juwireya's injuries