LONDON: Two horses collapsed and died in the parade ring in front of astonished onlookers at Newbury racecourse Saturday, with an electrical fault one possible cause being probed by the British Horseracing Authority (BHA). The horses, Fenix Two and Marching Song, were being paraded before the first race when they fell to the ground for reasons yet to be explained. The racecourse later announced that the remainder of the day's racing had been abandoned as a precaution. “This is a very sad day and our thoughts are with all the connections of the two horses who died,” racecourse joint-managing director Stephen Higgins said in a statement. He later told BBC Radio 5: “We've contacted the local authority. We've got the electricity board here having a look but until they've both completed their investigation we're not any clearer.” The BHA announced a full investigation. Professor Tim Morris, the BHA's director of Equine Science and Welfare, said in a statement: “Whilst there are suspicions that an electrical fault was the cause and this is being looked into by the racecourse and relevant authorities, it is important that we investigate other possible causes.” Samples from the horses involved are to be analysed as well as the water supply. Former champion jumps jockey and Channel 4 Racing pundit John Francome said: “Three lads involved looking after the first horse that came down said they got a pulsing feeling coming through the horse. It seems it was something electrical.”
