Horse race dramatically abandoned mid-way through at Plumpton after fatally injured runner remains stricken on track

A HORSE race was dramatically abandoned mid-way through after a runner suffered a fatal injury and remained stricken on the track.

The 2m maiden hurdle at Plumpton was voided after Wudyastopasking sadly went wrong.

Jockeys were forced to pull up in the 2.05 just as they started their final circuit because the horse was blocking their path.

Two stewards waved flags to warn the jockeys to try to stop as quickly as possible.

Chief steward Richard Westropp told the Racing Post: “The procedure worked really well.

“Unfortunately the horse injured himself approaching a hurdle and then veered off to the bypassing area to the left of it.

“There was nowhere for the runners to go on the next circuit and you have to be aware of people attending to the horse, their safety is paramount.

“The clerk of the course and vet acted quickly and the new flags worked well.

“All the jockeys followed the procedure to the letter.”

This is believed to be one of the first cases of the new flags, designated solely to stop races, being used.

Tragedy struck just ahead of the second hurdle.

Benjamin Poste riding Wudyastopasking did his best to pull up the horse straight away once it became clear the five-year-old had suffered an injury.

Sadly racecourse medics were unable to save the Ryan Potter-trained horse, running in just his second ever race.

The official race report on the British Horseracing Authority website read: “An enquiry was held to consider the circumstances surrounding the orange and yellow ‘stop race’ flag being deployed just before the final hurdle down the back straight on the second circuit.

“The Stewards were satisfied that due to Wudyastopasking (IRE) suffering an injury it was not possible to jump or to bypass the hurdle.

“The Stewards were further satisfied that all procedures were carried out correctly and the jockeys were able to pull up without incident.

“In light of the orange and yellow ‘stop race’ flag being deployed, the Stewards declared the race void.”

Jockey Jamie Moore, who was aboard Dorking Lad in the race, said: “We all stopped. We know the procedure. It’s unfortunate for the connections of the injured horse.”