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Kempton Park racecourse: Man dies after stables injury | Kempton Park racecourse: Man dies after stables injury |
(about 1 hour later) | |
A stables worker has died after being injured at Kempton Park racecourse. | A stables worker has died after being injured at Kempton Park racecourse. |
It is thought the groom, who has been named by his employer as Ken Dooley, was kicked by a horse. | |
Surrey Police said it had been reported a man in his 50s sustained a serious injury to the head while tending to a horse in the stables. | Surrey Police said it had been reported a man in his 50s sustained a serious injury to the head while tending to a horse in the stables. |
Mr Dooley had worked at the West Sussex yard of horse trainer Amanda Perrett, who said he had been with the close-knit family business for seven years. | |
In a statement, Ms Perrett said: "It is with huge sadness that I can confirm we lost our friend and colleague Ken Dooley after an incident in the stable yard at Kempton last night. | |
"He was an excellent employee, very experienced with racehorses having worked all of his life with them as a jockey, trainer and jockey coach around the world." | |
'Sombre mood' | |
Police were called to the Sunbury-on-Thames venue at 21:20 BST, and doctors at the course also attended. | Police were called to the Sunbury-on-Thames venue at 21:20 BST, and doctors at the course also attended. |
Saturday's fixture was abandoned with two races remaining as emergency teams responded to the accident. | Saturday's fixture was abandoned with two races remaining as emergency teams responded to the accident. |
A police spokeswoman confirmed the death was not being treated as suspicious and also said the man's family had been informed. | A police spokeswoman confirmed the death was not being treated as suspicious and also said the man's family had been informed. |
She said police would be working with the coroner and local authority to establish the circumstances surrounding Mr Dooley's death. | She said police would be working with the coroner and local authority to establish the circumstances surrounding Mr Dooley's death. |
Jockey Martin Dwyer, who was riding at the course, told Racing UK there was a "sombre mood" and shock 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." |
'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. | Staff as well as jockeys at Chepstow and Goodwood are wearing black armbands on Sunday as a mark of respect. |
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. | 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." | "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." |
Chief executive of the British Horseracing Authority Nick Rust 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. | "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." |
Organisers at Kempton Park - one of the UK's best known racecourses - announced Saturday's cancellation on social media. | Organisers at Kempton Park - one of the UK's best known racecourses - announced Saturday's cancellation on social media. |
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." |