Why was this allowed to happen???

[my miss storm cat]

Sad, sad, sad.

Racegoer calls for change after death of 15-year-old chaser

by Rodney Masters
Racing post


A CALL for closer monitoring of elderly jumpers returning to the racecourse after a lay-off has come from a racegoer who witnessed the fatal collapse of 15-year-old chaser Wot No Cash at Fontwell last week.

The grey, a 22-1 shot, died on the walkway leading off the course after finishing runner-up in the 2m 2f selling handicap chase. A post mortem showed he had ruptured his aorta, the body's principal artery.

Wot No Cash, who had been with Banbury-based owner-trainer Richard Harper throughout a long career which included wins at Chepstow and Fontwell, was racing for the first time since the previous spring, having suffered a minor leg injury. He had been pulled up in his three previous races.

Racegoer Carol Brake, a former amateur rider, made contact with the Horseracing Regulatory Authority the following day suggesting that jumpers of a certain age should be barred from competitive action if sidelined for a year or more, having witnessed the death.

“I think it was a rotten thing to do bringing this horse back at his age from a 373day break when he should be enjoying retirement,” she said on Monday.

“I was very saddened and at the same time outraged to see this horse literally run his heart out.”
Before the race, the HRA received an e-mail from a regular Fontwellracegoer - not Mrs Brake - expressing concern over Wot No Cash's reappearance at the age of 15 with such poor form in recent years.

As a result, the HRA instructed a vet to trot up and inspect the gelding in the racecourse stables at Fontwell prior to racing.

Owen Byrne, a HRA spokesman, said on Monday that the vet had found Wot No Cash in good condition and fit to race.

“It was very unfortunate the horse died, but a ruptured aorta can happen at any age,” Byrne said.

He added that prior toFontwell, discussions were already underway within the HRA's team of internal vets over whether it should be mandatory for elderly horses to undergo an inspection in racecourse stables before racing.

The subject was also due for debate by the HRA's veterinary committee, which draws members from across the industry.

Harper said he was devastated by the loss.

“I can see the lady's point, but she didn't know our horse,” he said.

“He loved his racing, and, as the HRA vet reported, he was in good shape for his return. He'd run such a good race. He was much loved in the village where I train. They said a prayer for him in church on Sunday.”

http://www.racingpost.co.uk/news/mas...tory_id=893606