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Kempton Park racecourse: Man dies after stables injury | Kempton Park racecourse: Man dies after stables injury |
(about 2 hours later) | |
A stables worker has died after being injured at Kempton Park racecourse. | |
Saturday's fixture was abandoned with two races remaining when the man in his 50s was injured in the stable yard. | Saturday's fixture was abandoned with two races remaining when the man in his 50s was injured in the stable yard. |
Police were called to the Sunbury-on-Thames venue at 21:20 BST. Doctors at the course also attended, according to track stewards. | Police were called to the Sunbury-on-Thames venue at 21:20 BST. Doctors at the course also attended, according to track stewards. |
The man who died has been named by the British Horseracing Authority as Ken Dooley, from the West Sussex yard of horse trainer Amanda Perrett. | |
A Surrey Police spokeswoman said it had been reported the man in his 50s sustained a serious injury to the head while tending to a horse in stables. | |
She said the death was not being treated as suspicious and the man's family had been informed. | |
A jockey told Racing UK he believed the groom had been kicked by a horse. | |
Jockey Martin Dwyer, who was riding at the fixture, described a "sombre mood" and shock at the racecourse as the news emerged. | Jockey Martin Dwyer, who was riding at the fixture, described a "sombre mood" and shock at the racecourse as the news emerged. |
He said: "Unfortunately, horses do kick out and I believe that's what happened. | He said: "Unfortunately, horses do kick out and I believe that's what happened. |
"They have metal shoes on and if you get a kick from a horse it can be very serious." | "They have metal shoes on and if you get a kick from a horse it can be very serious." |
Organisers at Kempton Park - one of the UK's best known racecourses - announced the cancellation on social media. | Organisers at Kempton Park - one of the UK's best known racecourses - announced the cancellation on social media. |
In a statement, the Racecourse Association said: "Racecourses do everything they can to provide a safe working environment in all areas and are equipped to provide the highest level of medical care and attention whenever it is required. | |
"This tragic accident is a reminder of the dangerous nature of the work stable staff do day in day out, and our thoughts are very much with everybody affected." | |
'Ever-present risk' | 'Ever-present risk' |
Staff as well as jockeys at Chepstow and Goodwood are wearing black armbands on Sunday as a mark of respect. | |
Police said they would be working with the coroner and local authority to establish the circumstances surrounding Mr Dooley's death. | |
Nick Rust, chief executive of the British Horseracing Authority (BHA), said: "The entire industry will join in mourning over this tragedy. | Nick Rust, chief executive of the British Horseracing Authority (BHA), said: "The entire industry will join in mourning over this tragedy. |
"We owe so much in our sport to the racing grooms who provide such first-class care and attention to our horses. | |
"The love and attention that they give to their mounts is unconditional and comes with that small but ever-present level of risk that exists when working with large animals." | "The love and attention that they give to their mounts is unconditional and comes with that small but ever-present level of risk that exists when working with large animals." |
Mr Rust said the matter was with Surrey Police and the BHA could not provide more details about what happened. | |
Steve Parlett, general manager at the racecourse, said: "All the team here are shocked and upset by the sad loss of a training stables employee last night. | Steve Parlett, general manager at the racecourse, said: "All the team here are shocked and upset by the sad loss of a training stables employee last night. |
"Our thoughts and deepest condolences are very much with his family, friends and colleagues." | "Our thoughts and deepest condolences are very much with his family, friends and colleagues." |