Racing: Hole swallows Haydock meeting
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.DISCOVERY of a hole in the ground two furlongs from the winning post caused the sudden abandonment of racing at Haydock yesterday. This afternoon's card has also been called off.
Minutes before the third race was due to start, Alan Fyles, a groundsman, found the hole as he was treading down divots caused by runners in the first two races.
'All you could see was the hoof-print, but when Alan was treading a piece of earth down his foot went in,' Philip Arkwright, clerk of the course, said.
Richard Hills and other jockeys saw Fyles probing the hole as they trotted past on the way to the start. 'Thank God for the groundstaff because we wouldn't have seen it,' Hills said later.
'He was lying down with his arm up to the shoulder in the ground. It was about 18 inches deep, but like a rabbit burrow because it went underneath.'
The subsidence, on the line of a natural fault, is believed to have been caused by recent heavy rain. There are two faults on the course, both of which are shown on Ordnance Survey maps. 'I can't establish the full extent of the repairs needed until a digger is brought in,' Arkwright said. 'That will be done this week.'
Ascot's hopes of staging its final Flat fixtures of 1993 are remote after yet more rain fell at the track yesterday. A stewards' inspection will take place at 8.30 this morning but the two-day meeting, which was due to feature the October Stakes tomorrow and the the Princess Royal Stakes and Cornwallis Stakes on Saturday, looks unlikely to go ahead.
Michael Roberts rode his 100th winner of the season on Witness Box at York yesterday. He completed a double on Cool Jazz in the following race.
(Photograph omitted)
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments