Monday, September 12, 2011

Sedgefield steps in to improve record

Sedgefield steps in to improve record


By Matt Bisogno

Sedgefield race course has answered to criticism it is the most unsafe in the country by re-positioning the last obstacle in the home straight. The Johnny Ridley Fence has been moved nearer to the stands and will most likely be in use for the 1st time at it's new location at today's meeting.

Animal Aid, an animal support group, had been particularly vocal about the track, and after the meeting on 13 June when 3 horses died following tumbles, had requested the track to be shut down. Those fatalities brought the total number of deaths 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 continued to explain the way in which the fence had been tested to make certain that it lower the risk of falls. "We've had trials this summer using the newly sited fence. Ferdy Murphy and Chris Grant both brought horses here, and they both gave it the thumbs up afterwards."

Horse racing in the UK has been under some pressure recently to boost its overall track record, pressure that has seen splits develop in the controlling powers for the game in UK.

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